Cetyl Ricinoleate

Cetyl ricinoleate is a fatty ester of cetyl alcohol and ricinoleic acid used in cosmetics as an emollient. It's used to improve glide, reduce tack, and give a plush, conditioning feel with a lightweight, non-greasy finish.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A silky emollient that conditions skin without a heavy feel.
Category
Skin Conditioning, Barrier Support
Type
Emollient

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Good

Comedogenic Risk

Moderate

Skin Benefits

Leaves skin feeling soft and comfortably conditioned with a silky afterfeel. Helps minimize drag for a smooth glide without a heavy residue.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Often included in moisturizers, lip balms, and makeup primers to boost slip and a plush finish. Also used in lightweight facial oils for a cushiony, non-greasy touch.

Comedogenic Rating

Cetyl Ricinoleate has a comedogenic rating of 3. It has a moderate likelihood of clogging pores, especially for acne-prone skin.

Safety

Typically well tolerated and non-irritating; patch test if sensitive to castor-derived esters. Very acne-prone users may find rich esters feel heavy in some formulas.

Is Cetyl Ricinoleate a Good Ingredient?

Providing lightweight slip and conditioning while reducing tack, supporting smoother application. Evidence is chiefly functional/sensory rather than therapeutic, but performance is consistent across formulations. That combination of solid performance and generally low risk earns it a Good rating, short of Great.

Products with Cetyl Ricinoleate

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