Product Overview
Castor Carrier Oil (USP Refined) is a high-purity, pale yellow, highly viscous fixed oil derived from the cold-pressing or expeller-pressing of the seeds of Ricinus communis — the castor plant. The USP (United States Pharmacopeia) designation indicates that this grade meets the rigorous purity and quality standards specified by the USP monograph, making it suitable for use in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food-grade applications. Its INCI name is Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, and it is one of the most chemically distinctive carrier oils available, set apart by its uniquely high ricinoleic acid content.
Castor oil’s defining characteristic is its fatty acid composition: approximately 85–92% ricinoleic acid (a hydroxylated unsaturated fatty acid, C18:1-OH), which is responsible for its exceptionally high viscosity, strong humectant properties, excellent film-forming ability, and unique chemical reactivity. These properties make Castor Oil USP one of the most multifunctional carrier oils across personal care, pharmaceutical, industrial, and oleochemical applications. It is expeller-pressed, hexane-free, non-GMO, and refined to achieve a light color and neutral scent suitable for cosmetic and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Key Features & Benefits
- USP-grade purity — meets United States Pharmacopeia monograph requirements for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and regulated applications.
- Exceptionally high in ricinoleic acid (85–92%) — a unique hydroxylated fatty acid responsible for its high viscosity, humectant activity, and film-forming properties.
- Outstanding humectant — draws moisture from the air to skin and hair surfaces, making it one of the most effective natural moisturizing agents in carrier oil form.
- Excellent film-forming and glossing agent — widely used in lip care, mascara, hair serums, and nail treatments for its high-shine, coating properties.
- Promotes lather stability and contributes to a conditioning, creamy feel in soap and shampoo bar formulations.
- Highly versatile across pharmaceutical applications — used as a laxative, excipient, injectable vehicle, and topical pharmaceutical ingredient.
- Expeller-pressed, hexane-free, non-GMO, and refined for consistent color, neutral scent, and formulation compatibility.
Applications
Castor Carrier Oil USP is used across six industry categories served by EZ Elements, reflecting its exceptional versatility across personal care, pharmaceutical, industrial, and specialty applications.
- Lip balms, lip glosses, and lipsticks — castor oil’s high viscosity and glossing properties make it one of the primary oils in lip care formulations
- Hair serums, hair growth oils, and scalp treatment formulations where thick, film-forming conditioning is required
- Eyebrow and eyelash conditioning serums and growth treatments
- Mascara formulations as a film-former and conditioner for eyelash products
- Soap making — castor oil contributes conditioning, lather stability, and a creamy feel to cold-process soap bars
- Thick body oils, cuticle treatments, and intensive overnight skin repair preparations
- Natural deodorants and solid cosmetic product bases where high-viscosity natural binders are needed
- Carrier oil component in aromatherapy blends — typically used at 5–10% to add viscosity and slip to lighter carrier oil formulations
- Base component in therapeutic massage oil blends where a thicker, more cushioning glide is desired
- Carrier for essential oils in hair growth and scalp treatment roller-ball and dropper formulations
- Thickening component in custom oil blend formulations for practitioners and natural wellness brands
Leave-on coat conditioning oils and grooming serums for dogs as a rich, film-forming carrier oil for topical coat nourishment
- Paw balm and nose balm formulations where castor oil contributes high viscosity, gloss, and a protective occlusive barrier for cracked or dry paw pads
- Premium pet grooming oil blends for show dogs and long-coat breeds requiring intensive coat conditioning and shine
- Topical soothing oil preparations for dogs with dry or flaky skin conditions, for external use only
- Oral stimulant laxative — USP-grade castor oil is a recognized, long-established pharmaceutical laxative for short-term constipation relief
- Injectable pharmaceutical vehicle — ultra-refined castor oil USP/EP is used as a parenteral vehicle for lipophilic drug delivery in intramuscular and intravenous formulations
- Ophthalmic preparations and lubricating eye drop where its viscosity and film-forming properties provide corneal surface protection
- Topical pharmaceutical excipient in creams, ointments, and emollient preparations for dermatological conditions
- Soft gel capsule fill oil and encapsulation of fat-soluble pharmaceutical actives and nutraceuticals
- Medicated hair and scalp preparations and dermatological products for seborrheic conditions
- High-performance biodegradable lubricant for machinery, aviation, and automotive applications — castor oil’s high viscosity index and oxidative stability make it a premium bio-lubricant
- Polyurethane production — ricinoleic acid reacts with isocyanates to produce flexible and rigid polyurethane foams, coatings, and adhesives
- Coatings, paints, and varnishes where castor oil acts as a plasticizer, binder, and adhesion promoter
- Hydraulic fluid formulations in specialized industrial and aviation applications
- Chemical intermediate for production of sebacic acid, undecylenic acid, and other specialty oleochemicals
- Textile finishing agent — used as a softener, lubricant, and waterproofing additive in fiber and fabric processing
- Castor oil soap (castor oil reacted with alkali) produces liquid soaps and foaming agents used in industrial and institutional cleaning concentrates
- Surfactant production feedstock — castor oil derivatives are used in the manufacture of specialty anionic and amphoteric surfactants for cleaning formulations
- Foaming agents and emulsifiers derived from castor oil used in liquid detergents, hand cleaners, and industrial degreasers
Note: Food-grade (not carrier oil grade) castor oil is approved by the FDA as a direct food additive and indirect food additive. EZ Elements supplies Castor Oil primarily in USP cosmetic and pharmaceutical grade; customers requiring food-grade material for direct food applications should confirm food-grade certification and regulatory compliance before use in food products.
- FDA-approved flavoring agent and release agent in food manufacturing — used in the production of candy, chocolate, and confectionery (food-grade)
- Mold release agent in food processing equipment and bakery pan coatings (food-grade)
- Indirect food additive in food contact surface applications and food packaging materials (food-grade)
Technical Specifications
| Property | Specification |
| INCI Name | Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil |
| CAS No. | 8001-79-4 |
| Common Name | Castor Oil, Castor Carrier Oil, Castor Oil USP |
| Grade | USP (United States Pharmacopeia) — Refined, expeller-pressed, hexane-free |
| Appearance | Clear to pale yellow viscous liquid; nearly odorless (refined) |
| Ricinoleic Acid Content | 85% – 92% (defining fatty acid) |
| Viscosity (at 25°C) | 900 – 1,100 mPa·s (exceptionally high — highest of common carrier oils) |
| Acid Value | Maximum 2.0 mg KOH/g (USP requirement) |
| Saponification Value | 176 – 187 mg KOH/g |
| Iodine Value | 82 – 90 g I₂/100g |
| Hydroxyl Value | 154 – 162 mg KOH/g (reflects high ricinoleic acid content) |
| Refractive Index | 1.476 – 1.480 (at 20°C) |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water; soluble in alcohol and glacial acetic acid; miscible with most fixed oils |
| Extraction Method | Expeller-pressed from Ricinus communis seeds; further refined and filtered to USP specification |
| Origin | Ricinus communis (castor plant) seeds — primarily sourced from India and Brazil |
| Recommended Use Level | 1% – 100% depending on application; typically, 5–30% in personal care blends |
| Regulatory Status | USP monograph compliant; accepted in USP-NF, EP, and major pharmacopeias; FDA-approved food additive |
Why Choose EZ Elements as Your Supplier
EZ Elements supplies USP-grade Castor Carrier Oil with verified purity, consistent fatty acid profile, and complete documentation to support manufacturing across personal care, pharmaceutical, industrial, and specialty applications in Canada and North America. Our Castor Oil meets USP pharmacopeia specifications, making it suitable for regulated pharmaceutical and cosmetic manufacturing environments.
We supply personal care formulators, pharmaceutical manufacturers, industrial producers, soap makers, and specialty product developers, providing:
- Full documentation: Technical Data Sheet (TDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA), and Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- USP-grade material with batch-specific COA confirming compliance with USP monograph specifications
- Bulk supply with competitive, transparent pricing per kilogram
- Technical support on formulation use levels, viscosity management, blending with other carrier oils, and application-specific guidance
Safety & Storage Guidelines
- Store in a cool, dry, dark location between 10°C and 25°C away from direct sunlight and heat to prevent oxidation and color development.
- Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption and oxidative degradation over time.
- Shelf life is typically 12 to 18 months from production date when stored correctly in sealed, cool, dark conditions.
- Castor oil is non-flammable under normal storage conditions but avoid exposure to open flame or extreme heat during processing.
- For pharmaceutical applications, verify that the specific batch meets USP monograph specifications via the Certificate of Analysis before use in regulated formulations.
- Conduct stability testing on all finished formulations, particularly those involving heat processing or blending with water phases.
Complete handling, first aid, and disposal instructions are provided in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available from EZ Elements upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which industries use Castor Carrier Oil USP?
Castor Carrier Oil USP is used across six industries: Personal Care (lip balms, hair growth oils, soap making, mascara, and intensive skin treatments), Carrier Oil (aromatherapy blend thickener, massage base component, and essential oil carrier), Pharmaceutical (oral laxative, injectable vehicle, ophthalmic drops, topical excipient, and soft gel fill oil), Industrial (biodegradable lubricants, polyurethane production, coatings, hydraulic fluids, and oleochemical feedstock), Cleaning & Sanitation (castor oil soap derivatives in industrial liquid detergents and degreasers), and Food & Beverages (FDA-approved flavoring agent, mold release, and food contact surface additive — food-grade material only).
Q2: What makes Castor Oil different from other carrier oils?
Castor Oil is chemically unique among common carrier oils due to its exceptionally high ricinoleic acid content (85–92%) — a hydroxylated unsaturated fatty acid not found at significant levels in any other commercially used carrier oil. This gives castor oil its distinctively high viscosity (the highest of any common carrier oil), strong humectant activity, outstanding film-forming and glossing properties, and unique chemical reactivity that enables its use in polyurethane synthesis and other industrial applications. These properties make it irreplaceable in lip care, hair growth formulations, laxative preparations, industrial lubricants, and polymer manufacturing.
Q3: What does USP grade mean for Castor Oil and why does it matter?
USP (United States Pharmacopeia) grade indicates that the castor oil meets the specific purity, quality, and testing requirements defined by the USP monograph for Castor Oil. This includes controls on acid value, saponification value, hydroxyl value, refractive index, color, viscosity, and absence of adulterants and heavy metals. USP grade is required for pharmaceutical applications including oral laxatives, injectable vehicles, and ophthalmic preparations, and is also the preferred grade for high-quality cosmetic formulations where purity and consistency are critical. It provides regulatory assurance that the material is safe and consistent for its intended use.
Q4: Can Castor Oil be used in hair growth formulations?
Yes. Castor oil — particularly in its refined USP form — is one of the most widely used ingredients in hair growth oils, scalp serums, and eyebrow and eyelash conditioning products. Its high ricinoleic acid content supports scalp circulation and provides a deeply nourishing, film-forming coating to hair shafts. It is typically applied at concentrations of 20–100% in direct-application hair and scalp formulations, or at 10–30% when blended with lighter carrier oils such as sweet almond, jojoba, or argan oil to improve spread ability and absorption.
Q5: Is Castor Oil USP suitable for use in pharmaceutical injectable formulations?
Yes, with an important distinction. Standard USP-grade Castor Oil is suitable for topical pharmaceutical, oral, and ophthalmic applications. For parenteral (injectable) pharmaceutical use, an ultra-refined grade — commonly designated USP/EP Injectable Grade or Ultra-Refined Castor Oil — is required. This grade undergoes additional filtration and testing to meet the more stringent purity and sterility requirements for parenteral drug delivery. Formulators developing injectable pharmaceutical products should verify that the specific grade and batch supplied meets all applicable injectable-grade pharmacopeial specifications.
Q6: Where can I buy Castor Carrier Oil USP in bulk in Canada?
Castor Carrier Oil USP Refined is available for bulk purchase from EZ Elements, with supply options for personal care brands, pharmaceutical manufacturers, industrial producers, soap makers, and specialty formulators across Canada and North America. Contact our team for current pricing, USP-compliant documentation, and product samples.
Related Ingredients
The following EZ Elements ingredients are commonly used alongside Castor Carrier Oil in personal care and pharmaceutical formulations:
- Coconut Carrier Oil — Frequently combined with Castor Oil in soap making and hair care formulations; coconut oil contributes lather and cleansing performance while castor oil adds conditioning, lather stability, and gloss.
- Sweet Almond Carrier Oil — Lightweight companion carrier oil blended with Castor Oil to reduce viscosity and improve spread ability in massage oils, hair serums, and facial formulations.
- Beeswax Beads (White Cosmetic Grade) — Natural wax commonly combined with Castor Oil in lip balm, lip gloss, and solid cosmetic formulations to achieve structure and gloss in the final product.
Order or Enquire
Looking to buy Castor Carrier Oil USP Refined in bulk? Contact EZ Elements for current pricing, full product documentation, and supply options across personal care, pharmaceutical, industrial, and specialty applications. We supply formulators and manufacturers across Canada and North America. Reach out today to request a sample, Technical Data Sheet, or a bulk pricing quote for your next formulation project.
