Castor oil is cold pressed from the seeds of the Ricinus Communis. It is a pale yellow vegetable oil, with little odor or flavor. Although, some would say it really taste bad and has a, strong, unpleasant odor! It is very appealing as a soap making oil. Why?

Most soap makers will tell you that it provides amazing creamy and bubbly lather, moisturizing and conditioning properties. Castor oil is rich in fatty acids, soothing and lubricating for skin. It’s usually, used in hair oils, balms and other thick emulsions for the hair and skin. It can be used as a soap making oil, but should be used carefully.

When making homemade soap, castor oil should be used at a low percentage. In your homemade soap recipes, use it no more than 5 to 10% of the total weight of oils. If it’s used at higher amounts a soft or sticky bar of soap will result. You don’t need to use very much of this oil in order to reap its skin care benefits.

Most soap makers use stick blenders to speed up the soap making process. Be careful using a stick blender with castor oil, though. If you’re making castor oil soap, using a stick blender, trace has a way of sneaking up on you, quickly! Your soap may, quickly, become too thick to pour into your soap making molds. You may want to reduce the time using the stick blender and stir more manually. Use at your discretion. Experienced soap makers may be able to judge better than beginners.

Castor oil is a natural emollient. It attracts and holds moisture in the skin or scalp, penetrating, quickly. It stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, softening and hydrating skin. It helps skin maintain a youthful looking appearance. Skin is soft, smooth and more pliant. This oil is used for many skin conditions: sunburns, ringworm, abrasions, inflammation, acne, Athlete’s foot fungus, dry skin, dry itchy skin, psoriasis, stretch marks, age spots, and more. For scalp conditions, it moisturizes, conditions and is, even, used for treating hair loss! You can find castor oil in many scalp and homemade skin care formulations: homemade soap, homemade shampoo, homemade lip balm and more.

Castor oil has a shelf life of approximately two years, but is advised to use within six months. Store it out of direct sunlight, away from moisture and heat. Moisture causes caster oil to become rancid, quickly, leading to spoiling. Excessive heat can cause caster oil to decompose. Do not use past its, indicated, expiration date, and discard if it appears thick or clumpy.

SOAP MAKING INFORMATION: Saponification: NaOH: .127 oz. / KOH: .179 oz.

There are many skin care benefits of castor oil! There are many kinds of soap making oils. Caster oil is a popular soap making choice.