Government name
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil
Goes by
Castor oil
On a soap label, after saponification: Sodium Castorate
The verdict
Superhero
Superpower
Ricinoleic acid, which makes up roughly 90% of its fatty acids.
Ingredients don't use nicknames on labels. They use their government names. Castor oil's is Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil. It goes by castor oil on the weekends.
Superhero or supervillain?
Superhero. Its superpower is ricinoleic acid. Of course I knew what ricinoleic acid was. I just had never said it out loud.
What it does in my soap
Castor oil helps soap make a creamy, stable lather. It's a supporting player, used in a small amount alongside the other oils. Once it's been made into soap, it shows up on the label as sodium castorate.
The supervillain rumor
Castor seeds are famous for containing ricin. Ricin is a protein, and it stays behind in the pressed seed, not in the oil.
Where you’ll find it
In 18 things I make.
In the soaps named for Ella, Andrew, Arley, Clive, Everley, Faith, Kacen, Kenley, Liam, Lincoln, Rebecca, Violet and Winnie.
- AndrewLemongrass, Lemon, Tea Tree
- ArleyRosemary Mint
- Charcoal Turmeric
- CliveCedarwood and Sweet Orange
- EllaCalendula and French Green Clay
- EverleyLemon Orange
- FaithLemongrass Peppermint
- KacenClove, Black Pepper, and Orange
- KenleyKey Lime Coconut
- Lemon Loofah Soap with Ginseng
- LiamCinnamon Birch
- LincolnLemon Eucalyptus
- RebeccaGrapefruit Patchouli
- VioletLavender Bergamot
- WinnieLavender Hibiscus
- Shampoo Bar · Rosemary Lavender
- Shampoo Bar · Rosemary Mint
- Shampoo Bar · Tea Tree Lemongrass
Usually seen with olive oil, coconut oil, olive wax and rhassoul clay.
Don’t judge an ingredient by its government name. Judge it by the science.
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