How Pure is Hydrogenated Castor Oil?

Hydrogenated Castor Oil is produced from the copious fatty acids of castor seeds (Ricinus communis) which is usually a thick liquid at room temperature which has been mechanically processed by adding hydrogen into it to make it harder and increases its melting point to make it a solid at warm temperature. It is used in many products such as moisturizers, soaps, shampoos, shaving creams, soaps, candles, hair sprays, etc. It is also used as an engine lubricant, industrial lubricant, diesel engine oil, etc. Its price varies from producer to producer. It is obtained by taking out the cayenne pepper skin off the bean and then grinding it to fine powder form, after which it undergoes further processing to make a stable solid.

There are several types of hydrogenated castor oil available in the market today. These include shortening oils, which are generally made from vegetable oils and shorten the shelf life of the products, emulsifiers, which add a waxy substance to oils like vegetable oil, and emollients, which makes the moisturizing agents more soluble, absorbent and less sticky. The most common of these three is the emulsifier. These have added features by which the oil and ingredients remain solid and do not mix up during processing.

Hydrogenated castor oil can be used in any kinds of food preparation; however, it has its advantages and disadvantages. For starters, it does not provide protection to the meat from being contaminated by the marinade since the marinade is already present in the oil at room temperature. It can also reduce the production of mouth irritants because it tends to make the surface smooth and thus prevents bacteria from thriving on it. At room temperature hydrogenated castor oil changes into a liquid state, making it easy for storage and transport without any loss of solids.

However, disadvantages of hydrogenated castor oil stem from its usage as an ingredient. Because it adds a waxy substance to oils, its shelf life is reduced. Since its ingredients lose their solubility, they tend to mold or settle down to the bottom of oil bottles, causing the waste to be discarded along with the product. It also reduces the efficiency of some chemical processes since the presence of the waxy substance interferes with some ingredients.

In addition, some dermatologists have commented that the long shelf life of hydrogenated castor oil is not necessarily beneficial for people with sensitive skin, as the excess of the ingredient may cause irritation. As a result, some companies have included allergy statements on their products, advising users to avoid contact with areas where they may have an allergic reaction. It should also be noted that although the presence of the ingredient decreases emulsification of some substances, the lack of the ingredient in moisturizers can increase the evaporation of water-based ingredients, such as glycerine. Consequently, it is wise to choose products that contain natural moisturizing agents like olive oil, jojoba oil or cottonseed oil.

The better companies do not use any synthetic ingredients in their products. Therefore, they provide information about the ingredients, which come from plants. Some companies do add an edible scale, so that the fats from the fish are used as an ingredient. In order to assure safety and efficacy, all companies that use this type of ingredient must ensure that the following conditions are met: the concentration of the ingredients is consistent throughout the batch, the grade of the ingredients is consistent throughout the batch, and the batch is labeled with the batch number and the purity of the ingredients.