INGREDIENT
Why We Use Castor Oil
Rich in ricinoleic acid — the rare omega-9 fatty acid that makes every great lip balm work
The viscous, fatty-acid-rich oil that's been in beauty cabinets for centuries
Castor oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis). Its defining feature: ricinoleic acid — a rare omega-9 fatty acid that makes up about 90% of castor oil's composition and accounts for most of its skincare benefits.
What castor oil does for your skin and lips
- Ricinoleic acid — anti-inflammatory and antibacterial; rare in the plant kingdom
- Highly humectant — draws moisture into the skin and holds it
- Naturally viscous — provides body and slip in lip balms, salves, and serums
- Glossy finish — creates the natural shine in lip balms without synthetic sheen
- Soothes irritation — used historically for inflamed skin, dry patches, and chapped lips
- Strengthens lashes and brows — anecdotal but widely reported
Why castor oil for lip balms specifically
Lip balms need a specific texture — viscous enough to coat lips evenly, but not so heavy that they feel waxy. Castor oil delivers that exact texture naturally, without synthetic emulsifiers or thickeners. It also doesn't oxidize quickly the way many lighter oils do, which is why it's been a staple lip-balm ingredient for over a century.
Why cold-pressed organic
Industrial castor oil is often extracted with hexane and other solvents, then refined with heat. That process degrades the fatty acid integrity and can leave residual contaminants. Tau Tau Skin uses only cold-pressed, organic castor oil — preserving the ricinoleic acid content and avoiding solvents.
Shop castor oil skincare
- Nourishing Lip Balm — Tau Tau Skin's only product with organic cold-pressed castor oil