Organic Castor Oil
Organic Castor Oil
Product Description
Product overview
Sky Organics Organic Castor Oil is a 100% pure, USDA Certified Organic, cold-pressed and hexane-free single-ingredient oil. Loaded with naturally occurring omega fatty acids — including the powerful ricinoleic acid — it deeply nourishes scalp, hair, lashes, brows, and skin. A multi-purpose wellness staple from a Certified B Corp brand, ideal for castor oil packs, scalp treatments, and lash/brow conditioning rituals.
USDA Certified Organic
Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, processed with sustainable practices that preserve land, water, and wildlife.
Texture & feel
SENSORYUSDA Certified Organic
Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, processed with sustainable practices that preserve land, water, and wildlife.
Cold-Pressed & Hexane-Free
Mechanically extracted rather than chemically processed, helping retain natural vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acid potency.
Rich in Ricinoleic Acid
Approximately 90% ricinoleic fatty acid — a unique omega-9 with humectant, conditioning, and soothing properties.
B Corp & Leaping Bunny
Made by a Certified B Corporation that ended animal testing in 2022. Recyclable packaging via Pact Partnership in the US.
One-Ingredient Wonder
No fragrance, alcohol, dyes, preservatives, or fillers. Just one minimally processed organic oil — perfect for sensitive skin.
Multi-Use for Hair & Body
For hair, scalp, lashes, brows, body massage, navel oiling, dry skin patches, joints, and traditional castor oil packs.
Safety & compatibility
SAFETopical use is widely considered safe — no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, or chemical sunscreens. Avoid oral ingestion during pregnancy as it may stimulate contractions.
Castor oil contains no problematic fatty acids C11-C24, esters, polysorbates, or ferments. Considered safe for those with malassezia-sensitive skin.
100% plant-derived, Leaping Bunny Certified, and made by a Certified B Corp committed to ending animal testing.
Considered low-comedogenic on the standard scale. However, due to its very thick, occlusive texture, some acne-prone users may find it traps debris if not washed off properly.
Pure carrier oil — no actives — so it layers safely with retinol, vitamin C, AHA/BHA, niacinamide. Best applied as the final step or in a separate routine (overnight scalp/lash treatment).
Brand recommends a patch test before first use. Avoid direct eye contact when applying to lashes — use a clean spoolie with just 1-2 drops.
Ingredient breakdown
INGREDIENTSOrganic Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil 100%Proven
The single, sole ingredient. Cold-pressed from organically grown castor beans, this unrefined virgin oil contains naturally high levels of ricinoleic acid (~85-95%), oleic acid, linoleic acid, and natural tocopherols (Vitamin E). It's a humectant that draws moisture into hair and skin, while its viscous, occlusive texture seals in hydration and creates a protective barrier.
- Ricinoleic Acid: An unusual hydroxylated omega-9 fatty acid found almost exclusively in castor oil; published studies in the Mediators of Inflammation journal show topical anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.
- Hair & Scalp: Brand internal study reported 8 out of 10 users experienced soothed scalp and deeply conditioned hair after regular use.
- Yuka Score: Rated 100/100 (Excellent) by the independent Yuka health-impact app — the highest possible safety rating.
- Antimicrobial: Clinical research has shown ricinoleic acid demonstrates broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeasts on the skin surface.
1 ingredient — true single-ingredient formula
Organic Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*
*Certified Organic Ingredient
Where it fits in your routine
ROUTINEBest used as a nighttime treatment — apply to lashes, brows, or as the final occlusive layer over moisturizer. For scalp/hair, use as a pre-shampoo mask before cleansing rather than as a leave-in.
How to use
HOW TO USEHair & Scalp Mask
Warm a quarter-sized amount between palms. Massage into dry scalp and roots, comb through to ends. Cover with a shower cap, leave on for 1 hour or overnight, then double-shampoo to rinse.
Lashes & Brows
Apply 1-2 drops nightly to the lash line and brows using a clean spoolie, mascara brush, or cotton swab. Avoid direct eye contact. Allow several weeks for visible conditioning effects.
Castor Oil Pack
Saturate an organic cotton or wool flannel and place over abdomen, joints, or sore muscles. Cover with plastic, apply gentle heat (heating pad), and relax for 30-60 minutes.
Navel Oiling
Warm 2-3 drops of oil and gently rub in and around the navel before bed. A traditional Ayurvedic ritual believed to support overall wellness and skin softness.
DIY Blends
Mix with lighter carrier oils (jojoba, argan, grapeseed) to thin the texture, or stir into your moisturizer for an extra-rich winter treatment. Patch test new blends before full use.
Who is it for?
WHOPerfect for you if:
- You want to nourish thinning hair, sparse brows, or short lashes naturally
- You're looking for a single-ingredient, certified-organic oil with no synthetics
- You enjoy castor oil packs or traditional Ayurvedic wellness rituals
- You have very dry skin patches (elbows, heels, cuticles) needing deep occlusion
- You prefer clean beauty brands certified as B Corp and Leaping Bunny
- You want a multi-purpose oil that lasts months (16 oz / 473 ml)
Consider alternatives if:
- You dislike thick, sticky, slow-absorbing oils on your skin or hair
- You want a glass-bottle product (this is plastic with optional pump)
- You're sensitive to even mild natural earthy/nutty scents
- You have very oily, severely acne-prone facial skin (use only on body)
- You need a fast-absorbing daytime facial oil — castor is too occlusive
- You're pregnant and considering oral use (topical is fine, oral is not)
Skin type compatibility
SKIN TYPESLow comedogenic rating but heavy texture may feel too occlusive on oily face skin. Best limited to body, scalp, lashes, and brows for this skin type.
Outstanding for dry skin — humectant ricinoleic acid pulls in moisture and the occlusive layer locks it in. Ideal for chronically dry hands, heels, and elbows.
Great for dry zones (cheeks, around eyes, lash line). Avoid applying to T-zone if oily. Excellent for hair and brow use across the board.
Single-ingredient, fragrance-free, hexane-free formula minimizes irritation triggers. Patch test recommended; ricinoleic acid even shows soothing properties.
Comedogenic 1/5 and fungal-acne safe — but the heavy occlusive texture means many users prefer to limit facial use to spot-treating dry patches only.
Rich fatty-acid profile and natural Vitamin E support skin elasticity and hydration. Ideal as a nighttime occlusive over a hydrating serum.
Results timeline
AFTER 2-3 MONTHSInstant Hydration & Glossy Finish
Hair and skin appear instantly softer, shinier, and more conditioned. Dry patches feel sealed and protected within minutes of application.
95% noticedSmoother Skin & Less Scalp Dryness
Dry, flaky skin patches noticeably reduced. Scalp feels less tight and itchy after consistent pre-shampoo mask use 1-2 times per week.
80% noticedConditioned, Fuller-Looking Lashes & Brows
Lashes appear thicker, darker, and more conditioned. Brows look fuller and softer. Hair feels stronger with reduced breakage.
70% noticedMaximum Hair & Brow Density Improvement
Visible improvement in hair, lash, and brow density. Long-term users report stronger, healthier-looking strands and reduced shedding.
60% noticedRatings by platform
46K+ REVIEWSPros & cons
BALANCEDPraised
- Truly single-ingredient — nothing diluted or filler-added
- USDA Certified Organic, B Corp, Leaping Bunny — strong ethical credentials
- Generous 16 fl oz size lasts 6-12+ months for most users
- Cold-pressed and hexane-free preserves nutrient integrity
- Effective for lashes, brows, and dry scalp/hair conditioning
- Optional pump dispenser version for cleaner application
- Yuka score of 100/100 — perfect health-impact rating
- Suitable for all hair types: straight, wavy, curly, coily
Criticized
- Plastic bottle (PCR recyclable, but not glass)
- Very thick — hard to spread and to wash out of hair
- Earthy natural scent that some users find off-putting
- Pricier than non-organic generic castor oils
- Reports of broken seals or leaks during shipping
- Slow absorption makes it impractical for daytime facial use
- Color, texture, and smell vary batch-to-batch (natural variation)
- Results for hair growth take consistent weeks to appear
Budget-friendly alternatives (dupes)
DUPESSame single-ingredient formula — USDA organic, cold-pressed, hexane-free. Comes in a glass bottle (a key Sky Organics complaint solved). Slightly thinner texture but otherwise functionally identical.
USDA Certified Organic, cold-pressed, hexane-free. Each batch is third-party GC/MS tested and certificates of analysis are published — appealing for transparency-focused buyers.
USDA Organic, cold-pressed, hexane-free, in a dark glass bottle with a dropper. Often recommended specifically for lashes and brows. Less B Corp-style ethical branding than Sky Organics.
100% pure but NOT certified organic and refined rather than cold-pressed. Significantly cheaper, but loses some of the trace antioxidants and ethical-certification appeal.
Comparison with competitors
SIDE-BY-SIDE
Storage & shelf life
12 MONTHS12 months after opening. Discard if scent becomes rancid or color darkens significantly.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep tightly sealed. Do not refrigerate (oil thickens and becomes harder to dispense).
16 fl oz PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic bottle. Optional pump version available. Recyclable via Pact Partnership in the US.
No — the 16 fl oz / 473 ml bottle exceeds TSA carry-on limits. Decant into a smaller travel bottle (under 100ml) for flights.
Frequently asked questions
FAQYes, topical use of pure castor oil is widely considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding — it contains no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, or chemical sunscreens. It is excellent for soothing dry, stretching skin on the belly. However, oral ingestion of castor oil is NOT recommended during pregnancy as it has historically been used to induce labor by stimulating uterine contractions. Always consult your healthcare provider if uncertain.
Yes. Castor oil is one of the few natural oils that is considered fungal acne (malassezia) safe. It contains no medium-chain fatty acids (C11-C24), polysorbates, ferments, or problematic esters that feed malassezia yeast. The dominant fatty acid is ricinoleic acid, which actually demonstrates antimicrobial properties against certain yeasts and bacteria.
Yes. Castor oil is a pure carrier oil with no active ingredients, so it does not chemically conflict with retinol, vitamin C, AHAs, or BHAs. However, because it is highly occlusive, applying it on top of an active immediately can intensify absorption and irritation. Best practice: apply your actives, wait 10-15 minutes for absorption, then layer castor oil as the final occlusive step at night — or use it in a separate scalp/lash routine.
It is best for dry, sensitive, mature, and combination skin types — particularly for body, scalp, lashes, brows, and very dry patches. People with oily or severely acne-prone facial skin may find the heavy texture impractical for facial use, and should limit it to body, hair, and lash/brow applications. The single-ingredient formula makes it ideal for sensitive skin.
Hydration and softness are immediate — you'll see glossier, softer hair and conditioned skin from the very first use. For lashes and brows, expect 4-6 weeks of nightly application before visible thickening or fullness. For scalp and hair density improvements, give it 2-3 months of consistent weekly pre-shampoo masks. Castor oil works gradually and rewards consistency over intensity.
Always last in your nighttime routine — after cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer. Castor oil is an occlusive that seals everything beneath it, so anything applied on top will not penetrate well. For hair and scalp, use it as a pre-shampoo mask BEFORE you cleanse, leaving on for 1 hour or overnight, then wash out. For lashes/brows, apply 1-2 drops at the very end of your nighttime routine.
Castor oil rates 1 out of 5 on the comedogenic scale, which is considered low and unlikely to clog pores for most people. However, its very thick occlusive texture means residue must be removed thoroughly — leaving it on facial skin without proper cleansing can trap dead cells, sweat, and debris, leading to congestion. If you're acne-prone, limit facial use to spot-treatment and always double-cleanse after.
Approximately 12 months after opening (PAO 12M) when stored properly in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Castor oil is naturally stable thanks to its high ricinoleic acid content and natural tocopherols, but it can eventually go rancid. Signs to discard: a strong rancid or sour smell, significant color darkening, or visible separation. The 16 oz bottle typically lasts 6-12 months for everyday users.
Verdict: Sky Organics Organic Castor Oil is one of the cleanest and most ethically credentialed castor oils on the US market — USDA Certified Organic, cold-pressed, hexane-free, and made by a Certified B Corporation with Leaping Bunny status. The single-ingredient formula is ideal for those wanting absolutely no synthetics, fragrance, or fillers, and the 16 fl oz bottle delivers strong long-term value for hair masks, lash and brow conditioning, dry skin patches, and traditional castor oil packs. Its main drawbacks — plastic packaging, heavy occlusive texture, and natural earthy scent — are inherent to most pure castor oils, so they're not unique to this brand. If glass packaging is a dealbreaker, Heritage Store, Plant Therapy, or Kate Blanc are excellent alternatives. For everyone else, this is a reliable, multi-purpose wellness staple worth keeping in the cabinet.
Product Overview
What are Quick Product Notes?
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Paraben-Free
Paraben-Free
Understanding Parabens
Parabens are a large group of preservatives which are used to prevent bacteria growing in cosmetic formulations. There has been some healthy controversy surrounding them due to a few studies finding paraben presence in breast tumours and breast tissue. However, the majority of the scientific community have deemed these findings non-conclusive due to the limitations of these studies. There's still a lot of support for avoiding parabens following the better safe than sorry route. If you do we completely support you! If you are concerned about the health safety of parabens, then feel free to avoid them by looking out for the Paraben-Free icon. If not, don't worry about it - they do have had one of the longest safety records as preservatives!
Which Ingredients are classified as Paraben?
A product will be paraben-free if it does not contain any of the following parabens:
- Sodium Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Ethylparaben
- Sodium Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Sodium Methylparaben
- Methylparaben
Sulfate-Free
Sulfate-Free
Understanding Sulfates
Sulfates are a large group of ingredients which act as cleansing agents in Cosmetics. They help loosen up the dirt and grime from your skin and hair to allow for water to wash it away with ease. However some sulfates are so good at their job, they can wash off your skin’s own natural oils that keep it moisturised and protected which can lead to dryness and irritation. Most people will find no issues with sulfate, however if you find your skin doesn't like sulfates then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the sulfate-free icon on Skincarisma.
Which ingredients are classified as sulfates?
We've taken the Sulfates which are considered more harsh for our Sulfate-Free status. A product will be Sulfate-Free if it does not contain any of the following Sulfates:
- TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- PEG-15 Cocamine
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
- Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
- Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
- Ammonium Xylenesulfonate
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Xylenesulfonate
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
Alcohol-Free
Alcohol-Free
Understanding Simple Alcohols
Alcohol ingredients are widely used in cosmetics and come in different types. For the most part alcohols are not problematic at all. However one type of alcohols, simple alcohols can be quite drying to the skin because it evaporates very quickly. This can cause irritation which can also lead to other skin complications. These alcohols should never be used alone on your skin, but combined with other cosmetic ingredients, they are normally without issue. However, for some people with sensitive and easily irritable skin, avoiding products with these simple alcohols may be beneficial. If you find your skin doesn't like these simple alcohols, then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the Alcohol-Free icon.
Which Ingredients are classified as Alcohol?
A product will be alcohol-free if it does not contain any of the following alcohol ingredients:
- SD Alcohol
- Alcohol Denat
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Alcohol
Silicone-Free
Silicone-Free
Understanding Silicones
If you've ever used a skincare, makeup or beauty product that's made your skin look and feel smoother tempoarily - it's likely contained Silicone. They are a popular class of ingredients found in cosmetics due to their smooth, soft, easy-to-spread and smooth properties that help creates an artificial layer/barrier on top of skin or hair (commonly found in conditioners).
For the same reasons they are popularly used, they are also commonly avoided. Anecdotally, many individuals have reported that Silicones cause/excerbate breakouts, irritation, cause a feeling of skin being unable to breathe, cause clumping of cosmetic products and find it difficult to wash off. As a result, those who find them problematic are avoiding them and increasingly, cosmetic companies are avoiding them as well.
If you have had bad experiences with Silicones in the past, or suspect they are problematic then look out for the tick on the Silicone-free label.
Disclaimer
The Silicone-free label only includes the most common Silicone ingredients that have indentified been reported by individuals that could potentially cause issues.
These include: Amodimethicone, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethiconol, Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Stearoxy Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone.
Note, that this does not include all ingredients part of the Silicone class of ingredients.
EU Allergen-Free
EU Allergen-Free
Understanding the Identified Contact Allergens
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has identified and established 26 cosmetic ingredients that are likely contact allergens (potential to cause skin allergies) as demonstrated in clinical or epidemiological studies. The EU's SCCS have recommend cosmetic companies to disclose them on the labels if used and in cases where the concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, then they must be labelled.
Look out for the tick on the EU-Allergen free label to know your cosmetic is free from any of the 26 identified cosmetic ingredients.
For more information regarding the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, please visit their official website.
Disclaimer
The EU Allergen Free label is for the 26 ingredients identified by the EU SCCS and products will be only flagged if a suspected ingredient is on it's ingredient list. It is possible for cosmetics to contain one of the suspect ingredients without it appearing on the ingredient list due to it not reaching the concentration threshold to disclose it and cosmetic manufacturers choice to not disclose it.
Also note, the EU Allergen Free label is not personalized for your own allergies you may have and it does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Understanding Fungal Acne (Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia Folliculitis)
Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia folliculitis or simply known as Fungal Acne is a persistent acne-like condition that commonly responds poorly to traditional acne-treating methods. Unlike most cases of Acne where bacteria is the culprit, Fungi is the culprit of Fungal Acne (Hence the name!). There are certain classes & groups of ingredients that have been shown to promote and feed the growth of the Fungal Acne, Fungi such as fatty acids, oils, esters, polysorbates and fermented ingredients.
For more information regarding Fungal Acne, please visit Simple Skincare Science (f.c) - #3 of our Recommend Skincare Resources for an amazing comprehensive guide!
Please Read: How to use the Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Label
At SkinCarisma, we've done our best to identify as many ingredients as possible but note the fungal-free label may not be 100% accurate due to the complexconditions and combination of ingredients that malezzeria can thrive on.
Additionally, products that may contain ingredients that have shown to feed Malassezia may not neccessarily exacerbate the condition due to concentration of ingredient used in the product, this information is simply not available on the products.
As a result, please note this is only an experimental label that can be best used to possible identify problematic products you have used in the past. It is in no way a perfect identifier nor a predictor in whether or not it will exacerbate or cause fungal acne. It will continue to be worked on as more information and research comes to light.
If you find any ingredients you believe should be included, please email us at snails@skincarisma.com.
Disclaimer
Due to the lack of substantial research into this area it is very likely there are other ingredients and class/groups of ingredients that could feed Fungal Acne which have not been indentified.
The Fungal-Safe label does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging «promises» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
Pro Tip Alert!
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Dry Skin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Sensitive Skin
What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
Pro Tip Alert!
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
|
Hydrating
|