Skincare Ingredient
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Hydrogenated Castor Oil
In Skincare: Is Hydrogenated Castor Oil Safe? Comedogenic Rating & Side Effects
Safety Information
Quick Insights
At a glance
- 01
Hydrogenated castor oil is a modified version of castor oil created through hydrogenation.
- 02
This ingredient presents as a hard, waxy substance at room temperature.
- 03
Hydrogenated castor oil functions as an emollient, surfactant, and skin conditioning agent in cosmetic formulations.
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The CIR Expert Panel has determined that hydrogenated castor oil is safe for use in cosmetics as currently practiced.
Key Benefits
What Hydrogenated Castor Oil does for your skin
Overview
Ingredient Profile
Role of Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Active Cosmetic Mechanisms
SKIN CONDITIONING
Skin EnhancerMaintains skin in good condition and improves its feel
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Skin conditioning ingredients enhance appearance, texture, and health of skin through various mechanisms. This broad category encompasses emollients, humectants, occlusives, and other agents that improve skin feel, appearance, and function. May work by moisturizing, smoothing, softening, or protecting skin. Effects include improved tactile properties, enhanced barrier function, and better overall skin condition.
SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT
Skin SoftenerSoftens and smooths skin by filling gaps between cells
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Emollient ingredients create smooth, soft skin by filling spaces between corneocytes in stratum corneum. These include esters (isopropyl palmitate), oils (jojoba, argan), fatty alcohols, and silicones. The mechanism involves spreading on skin surface, filling microscopic irregularities, and creating lubricious film. Effects are immediate tactile improvement and visual smoothing. Emolliency measured by spreading coefficient and skin feel assessments.
SURFACTANT - CLEANSING
Cleansing SurfactantRemoves dirt and oil through surfactant action
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Cleansing surfactants specifically formulated for removing sebum, dirt, and impurities. Primarily anionic (sodium laureth sulfate, sodium cocoyl isethionate) and amphoteric surfactants (betaines). Mechanism involves reducing surface tension enabling water to wet oily surfaces, solubilizing lipophilic materials in micelles, and emulsifying oils for rinse-off. Cleansing efficacy balanced with mildness by surfactant selection, concentration, and pH optimization. Must avoid excessive lipid removal that compromises barrier function.
SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
Emulsifying SurfactantBlends oil and water phases into stable mixtures
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Emulsifying surfactants enable creation of stable oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsions by positioning at oil-water interface, reducing interfacial tension. HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) determines emulsion type: HLB 3-6 for W/O, HLB 8-18 for O/W emulsions. Examples include polysorbate 80, ceteareth-20, glyceryl stearate. Mechanism involves forming interfacial film preventing droplet coalescence. Often used in combinations with co-emulsifiers (fatty alcohols) creating lamellar structures for enhanced stability.
VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Thickness RegulatorAdjusts product thickness and flow properties
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Viscosity controlling ingredients modify product flow characteristics through thickening or thinning. Thickeners include natural gums (xanthan, guar), synthetic polymers (carbomers, acrylates), and inorganic thickeners (silica, clays). Mechanism varies: polymer chain entanglement, hydrogen bonding networks, particle association, or swelling. Rheology modifiers create desired texture, prevent separation, control application properties, and affect sensory perception. Can produce Newtonian (constant viscosity) or non-Newtonian (shear-thinning, thixotropic) flow behavior.
Products
containing Hydrogenated Castor Oil
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References
Scientific sources
Acme Hardesty, Accessed March 2023, Website
SpecialChem, Accessed March 2023, Website
International Journal of Toxicology, May 2007, pages 31–77
Similar Ingredients
Ingredients with similar chemical profiles and skincare properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hydrogenated Castor Oil — common questions
What is Hydrogenated Castor Oil in skincare?
Castor oil, hydrogenated
What does Hydrogenated Castor Oil do? / Functions of Hydrogenated Castor Oil?
Common functions: SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING.
What is the comedogenic rating of Hydrogenated Castor Oil? / Is Hydrogenated Castor Oil comedogenic?
Hydrogenated Castor Oil has a comedogenic rating of 2 out of 5. A rating of 2 means it is unlikely to clog pores.
Does it clog pores?
Hydrogenated Castor Oil is unlikely to clog pores (rating 2/5).
Is Hydrogenated Castor Oil safe for skin?
Hydrogenated Castor Oil has a safety rating of 2 out of 5. A rating of 2 means it is generally considered safe for most skin types. Note: Generally considered safe in cosmetics by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, with low irritation and sensitization potential reported in available studies. The Environmental Working Gr
Is Hydrogenated Castor Oil good for sensitive skin?
Hydrogenated Castor Oil has an irritancy rating of 1 out of 5. A rating of 1 means it is generally well-tolerated.
What are the side effects of Hydrogenated Castor Oil in skincare?
Known considerations: Generally considered safe in cosmetics by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, with low irritation and sensitization potential reported in available studies. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) assigns it a safety score of 2, indicating moderate concern based on limited data on long-term health effects.