Castor Oil, WS

Price range: $6.25 through $42.00 USD

Caster Oil WS is a water-soluble castor oil that is easily added to water-based products to add conditioning properties.

INCI: Sulfated Castor Oil

Active Matter: 70%

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Castor Oil WS is a water-soluble emollient that delivers conditioning, lubricity, and softness in aqueous cosmetic systems. Unlike traditional oils that require solubilizers or emulsifiers, Castor oil WS disperses directly into water, making it an essential ingredient for formulators seeking emollient performance without oil separation.

This versatile material is widely used to improve skin and hair feel in water-based products, providing light emolliency, slip, and conditioning while maintaining formulation clarity or low viscosity. It is especially valuable in rinse-off and leave-on systems where traditional oils are impractical.

Formulator Insight

Castor Oil WS is a cornerstone ingredient for formulators who want to add emolliency to water-based products without compromising clarity, stability, or rinse-off performance. Its ability to condition without oiliness makes it especially useful in modern, lightweight cosmetic systems.

Cosmetic Benefits

Acts as a true water-soluble emollient
Improves skin softness and conditioning in aqueous formulas
Enhances hair slip, manageability, and feel
Reduces dryness and tightness without oiliness
Disperses easily into water without additional solubilizers
Supports clear or low-viscosity formulations
Compatible with surfactant-based systems
Cold-process friendly and easy to formulate with

Castor Oil WS bridges the gap between oil-based emollients and water-based formulation needs. By modifying castor oil to be water soluble, this ingredient allows formulators to:

Deliver emolliency in shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers
Improve skin feel in toners, sprays, and micellar systems
Add conditioning benefits to hair care and beard care products
Reduce the need for heavy oils or silicones in rinse-off formulas

Its lightweight sensory profile makes it particularly well suited for products where clean rinse, softness, and slip are required without residue.

Formulation Advice

Use: 0.5–5%
Fully water soluble
Compatible with anionic, amphoteric, and nonionic surfactant systems
Can be added directly to the water phase
Suitable for both rinse-off and leave-on formulations
Usage levels depend on product type and desired conditioning effect

Usage by Product Type

Shampoos & Body Washes

0.5–3%
Adds slip and conditioning
Helps reduce dryness caused by surfactants
Maintains good foam and rinse-off feel

Facial & Hand Cleansers

0.5–2%
Improves skin comfort and after-feel
Reduces tightness without leaving residue

Conditioners & Hair Treatments

1–5%
Enhances hair softness, slip, and manageability
Particularly useful in lightweight or silicone-free systems

Toners, Facial Mists & Aftershaves

0.2–1%
Provides light emolliency in fully aqueous products
Maintains clarity and low viscosity

Beard Care & Men’s Grooming (Water-Based)

0.5–2%
Improves glide and conditioning without oiliness

Bath Products & Liquid Soaps

1–3%
Adds skin-conditioning benefits to rinse-off formats

👉 Optimize inclusion through bench testing and sensory evaluation.

Applications

Shampoos and conditioners
Facial and body cleansers
Body washes and hand soaps
Toners and facial mists
Aftershaves and beard care products
Bath products and liquid soaps
Water-based skin and hair treatments

Documents

INCI: Sulphonated Castor Oil
Origin: Vegetable-derived (castor oil)
Solubility: Water-soluble
Format: Liquid
Processing: Cold process compatible

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