What is the Difference Between Cold-Pressed vs Expeller-Pressed Castor Oil

What is the Difference Between Cold-Pressed vs Expeller-Pressed Castor Oil

Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil in different sizes

What is the Difference Between Cold-Pressed vs Expeller-Pressed Castor Oil

Written by: Victoria Williams R.H.N. 

How do you know you’re getting top quality Castor Oil? Is it enough to know that it’s organic? Or how about the extraction method? Have you ever wondered what the terms, cold-pressed or expeller-pressed mean or wondered how the extraction method of your Castor Oil affects its quality, and more importantly, its nutrient integrity? 

Afterall, you use Castor Oil because it’s loaded with nutrients, agreed? So, let’s explore the different extraction methods, how they work, their uses, and how all these factors affect that luscious oil you know and love.

Key Points:

  1. Castor Oil has a high stability level that makes it able to withstand high temperatures.
  2. Castor Oil’s nutrients likely do not begin to break down until the oil is exposed to 302°F (150°C).
  3. Expeller pressing only exposes the oil to 140-210°F (60-99°C).

The variable nature of Castor Oil

When buying large quantities of bulk Castor Oil, suppliers like Queen of the Thrones® must consider the quality of the beans themselves, the extraction, then choose the best quality oil based on the results of third-party testing.

As with any crop, the castor bean is affected by many environmental conditions. Sometimes the crop is abundant with super healthy castor beans, and other times the crop may be scanty. 

Because of this, Castor Oil, whether expeller or cold-pressed, goes through rigorous testing to determine if the product meets nutrient requirements. Here at Queen of the Thrones® we use a third party to test our Castor Oil, and from there we make a decision on whether to buy it.

Does expeller-pressing destroy nutrients? 

It’s important to remember that because Castor Oil is a natural product, its composition may vary from batch to batch. 

Sometimes cold-pressed Castor Oil may test better, while other times, expeller-pressed Castor Oil may be the optimal choice. Every batch of Castor Oil is unique, and the quality must be verified through testing. 

Third-party testing of Queen of the Thrones® expeller-pressed Castor Oil shows that it meets key specifications, including fatty acids/ricinoleic acid profile and saponification within the same strict range of standards as cold-pressed Castor Oil. 

For this reason, we may switch back and forth between cold and expeller pressed from time to time, depending on the quality of oil available on the market.

So whether you use it in an Original Castor Oil Pack , Neck Castor Oil Pack, Pelvic Castor Oil Pack, or Castor Oil Beauty Mask, remember that rigorous testing ensures the safety and quality of the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil. 

From bean to oil: Castor Oil extraction

The Castor Bean Extraction Process: 

Organic Castor Oil extraction by Queen of the Thrones

Stage 1: Seed Collection

Ripe castor plants are selected for seed collection. The process begins by exposing these plants to the sun’s warmth, causing them to split open naturally, allowing the seeds to be gathered.

Stage 2: Dehulling

The castor seeds are stripped of their outer layers, a process that can be done manually or mechanically with the assistance of a castor bean dehuller.

Stage 3: Cleaning

After dehulling, the seeds undergo a thorough cleaning process to eliminate impurities such as sand, leaves, sticks, stems, and dirt. A seed cleaner equipped with revolving screens or reels is employed for this purpose.

Stage 4: Drying

To reduce moisture content and catalyze the extraction process, cleaned seeds are gently heated in a steam-jacketed vessel. This step hardens the seeds, preparing them for pressing.

Stage 5: Cold or Expeller Pressed

High-pressure crushing of seeds occurs in this stage. The extracted oil is filtered, and the residual bulk is blended with fresh seeds for further pressing, while the resulting residual bulk is referred to as Castor Cake.

Stage 6: Filtration

The oil is filtered through a fine filtration system to remove both small and large impurities.

Stage 7: Packaging

The final stage in processing is packaging the oil into steel or plastic drums (Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil is always in steel) to transport it to a bottling facility.

Stage 8: Bottling 

The Castor Oil is bottled into its final container, either plastic or glass, and ready for the wellness consumer to purchase (Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil will ALWAYS be bottled in glass!).

What is the difference between expeller and cold-pressed Castor Oil?

Expeller-Pressed Oils

The expeller pressing method involves physically pressing castor beans to extract the oils, avoiding the use of chemicals. While this technique employs pressure for oil extraction, the pressure itself can generate temperatures between 140-210°F, so it is not considered a true “cold processed” method.

Expeller pressing is a more efficient method of extraction because the heat that is produced helps extract MORE oil, meaning a higher yield is produced, and less of the plant is wasted. While this heat is higher than in cold pressing, it is still considered relatively low. 

Cold-Pressed Oils

Cold pressing oil, on the other hand, also generates heat, but it does not surpass 122°F during extraction.
In this process, the oil is extracted using methods such as bladder pressing (for softer fruits), hydraulic pressing, or low-resistance expeller pressing to ensure the temperature stays below 122°F. Sometimes cold water may be run through the machine to keep temperatures cooler.

How Castor Oil’s composition protects its nutrients from heat exposure

Castor Oil is rich and viscous. If you’ve used it, you’re familiar with its thick, sticky texture. And while this can make it messy to work with, it also helps protect its nutrients from heat. Castor Oil is considered to have a very high stability level, thanks to the high percentage of ricinoleic acid, which “…does not oxidize easily.” 1
Queen of the Thrones Castor oil cold vs expeller pressed

The oxidative stability of Castor Oil is 230°F1 2, and it doesn’t disintegrate until temperatures above 302°F3. So basically, the nutrients in Castor Oil likely don’t start to break down until it reaches these high temperatures. 

So, how does this play into the extraction method? 

Expeller pressing can expose the oil to temperatures up to 210°F, while cold pressing exposes the oil to up to 122°F – so neither method comes close to damaging the oil. 

But when it comes to heat and extraction methods, it appears that Castor Oil’s nutrients stay intact. Why? Because the oil must reach 230°F before it begins oxidizing and the nutrients start to break down.

And this is amazing because you can rest easy with the knowledge that the Castor Oil you know and love so much is also providing you with the nutrients you expect it to have!  

Castor oil uses and benefits

supportIf you’re reading this, you probably already know how Castor Oil is used, but just in case you don’t, we’re going to give you a thumbnail of its uses here.

Castor Oil has been used since ancient times as a beauty aid, moisturizer, and most importantly, in Castor Oil Packs.

The Original Castor Oil Pack is the most well known application for Castor Oil because they are thought to have the most support for your wellness when worn over the abdominal area.

A Neck Castor Oil Pack is thought to have similar support when worn over the neck, but is famously known for helping to reduce the appearance of aging and wrinkles on the neck… Sounds wonderful, agreed?

Another common use of Castor Oil Packs is in the Pelvic area. Beloved by women (and men) of all ages, a pack worn in this area is thought energize the area, while helping to nourish the skin.

Chest Castor Oil Packs are thought to focus self-care on the chest area, while helping to support the appearance of the tightness of the skin.

Lastly, the Castor Oil Beauty Mask is a fan favorite because Castor Oil is well known for supporting the appearance of crow’s feet and dark circles, as well as supporting thick luscious lashes and bold beautiful brows. Not only that, but wearing a Castor Oil Beauty Mask may help support a more restful sleep by helping to block out distractions and disruptors.

You can see why it is such a well-loved oil, agreed?

Would you love to partner with Queen of the Thrones®? Apply to become an Affiliate or Wholesale Partner now!

Click here for references

 

1. Harhar & al. Chemical characterization and oxidative stability of castor oil grown in Morocco. Moroccan Journal of Chemistry 4 N°2 (2016) 279-284

2. Ntsako Portia Chauke, Hembe Elie Mukaya, Diakanua Bavon Nkazi Chemical modifications of castor oil: A review. Science Progress 2019, Vol. 102(3) 199–217 © The Author(s) 2019

3. Patel VR, Dumancas GG, Kasi Viswanath LC, Maples R, Subong BJ. Castor Oil: Properties, Uses, and Optimization of Processing Parameters in Commercial Production. Lipid Insights. 2016 Sep 7;9:1-12. doi: 10.4137/LPI.S40233. PMID: 27656091; PMCID: PMC5015816.

 

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.

Is Castor Oil Comedogenic and Will it Clog My Pores?

Is Castor Oil Comedogenic and Will it Clog My Pores?

Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil open the skin pores

Is Castor Oil Comedogenic and Will it Clog My Pores?

Written by: Joanna Teljeur B.A.

Medically reviewed by: Victoria Williams R.H.N.

Est. reading time: 7 minutes

Thick and luscious, Castor Oil feels glorious on your skin, especially when you smooth it on your face before bed. It’s rich texture alone makes you feel like your skin will plump up beautifully overnight. 

Maybe you’ve felt like slathering this golden oil filled with skin-loving fatty acids onto your face, letting the vitamins and nutrients do their handiwork. 

But then, you might have stopped suddenly and thought: “Wait a minute! Castor Oil is so thick and rich, will it clog my pores?”

Is this you? 

If you’re worried that Castor Oil could clog your pores, you’re not alone. There’s been plenty of confusion and debate about whether Castor Oil can clog pores or cause breakouts. But rest easy, because in this blog, we’ll explore the comedogenicity of Castor Oil, and delve into the reasons why it has been heralded as an amazing skin elixir, thanks to its rich composition of vitamins and fatty acids.

Different Castor Oil Benefits by Queen of the Thrones

Key Points:

    • Castor Oil is a non-comedogenic oil with a rating of 0-1, meaning it is not likely to clog your pores.

    • Castor Oil is an amazing moisturizer, and it is safe for most skin types.

Will Castor Oil clog my pores?

OK – the short answer: Castor Oil has a comedogenic rating of 0-11, which means that it most likely will not clog your pores or cause skin irritation. Or put another way, Castor Oil is a non-comedogenic oil.

What does comedogenic mean?

Comedogenicity refers to the ability of a substance, typically found in skincare and cosmetic products, to clog pores and potentially cause comedones. Comedones are non-inflammatory acne lesions more commonly known as pimples! 

Yes, we’re talking about those all-too-familiar blackheads and whiteheads that show themselves when your hair follicles become blocked by excess oil, dead skin cells, and other debris. So, if something is non-comedogenic, it means that it will not contribute to clogged pores and breakouts. Castor Oil is non-comedogenic.

What makes a substance comedogenic?

A substance is comedogenic if it blocks pores and results in comedones – AKA pimples. It’s important to remember that individual ingredients can be non-comedogenic but may become comedogenic when mixed with other substances. For example, Castor Oil is non-comedogenic, but if you mix it with beeswax or red dye (as many cosmetics do), then the mixture can be pore-clogging.

What is the comedogenic scale?

The comedogenic scale is a rating from 0 to 5. Simply put, if a substance has a rating of 0 it is considered non-comedogenic, meaning that it is less likely to clog your pores. Substances with higher ratings are more likely to cause clogged pores and lead to pimples, breakouts and whatever else you choose to call those dreaded lesions.

But again, if you love Castor Oil, you’re in luck because it has a very low comedogenic rating. So chances are, you can use it as a makeup remover and moisturizer and know that it will not contribute to breakouts!

Queen of the Thrones vegetarian oil comedogenic scale

Understanding the comedogenicity of skincare and cosmetic products is especially important if you’re prone to breakouts or if you have sensitive skin. So, if this is you, be sure to look for non-comedogenic products that will minimize the risk of pore clogging, like organic Castor Oil.

Is Castor Oil good for skin

So, now you know that despite the thick and viscous nature of Castor Oil, it has a very low comedogenic rating. But you might be thinking, How can a rich, thick oil like Castor Oil NOT clog my pores? 

Castor Oil is an ancient, versatile, and beloved vegetable oil that has been used for centuries for its numerous self-care and beauty benefits, and one of its most popular applications is in skincare. 

While it might be extra thick and even sticky, Castor Oil may help moisturize and hydrate skin, while supporting the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Amazing, agreed

But let’s take a closer look at the main components of Castor Oil and what makes it so well suited for skincare.

Queen of the Thrones skin loving nutrients in Castor oil

  1. Ricinoleic acid

Castor Oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, and by rich, we’re talking like 85-92% of the total fatty acid3 content.

When you apply it to your skin, ricinoleic acid may help support skin irritation, the appearance of redness, and may even create a calming sensation on skin, making it an excellent choice if you are experiencing any of these struggles. 

  1. Vitamin E

Castor oil contains a significant amount of vitamin E,5 which helps in maintaining skin wellness and may even support signs of premature aging, while potentially supporting the appearance of scars and blemishes.

  1. Omega Fatty Acids

Castor Oil contains essential omega fatty acids, such as omega-6 and omega-9. These fatty acids are vital for maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier, keeping it hydrated and nourished. Castor Oil also contains other fatty acids including linoleic, oleic, stearic, palmitic, dihydroxystearic acid, linolenic acid, and eicosanoic acid6.

  1. Polyphenols

Polyphenols are a group of natural compounds found in various plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, tea, dark chocolate, and wine.

Polyphenols are believed to support clearer, more radiant skin.

Who should use Castor Oil for skincare?

Castor Oil works beautifully as part of a general skincare routine. If you have mature or very dry skin, then you’ll especially love its moisturizing qualities. 

If your skin is oily, then you might only want to use Castor Oil on your face a couple of times a week, because while Castor Oil is non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores, it is an oil. We’re all biochemically unique, so try it on a small area of your skin first to see how it feels. 

If you have frequent breakouts, then Castor Oil may help support your skin by working as a natural cleanser.

Again, you may want to try it on a small area of your skin first to be sure if Castor Oil is right for you.

How to use Castor Oil for skincare

Are you ready to add Castor Oil to your skincare routine? Interestingly, you might be using Castor Oil already without even realizing it. You see, Castor Oil has been used as an ingredient in cosmetics, shampoos, soaps, bath oils, and countless other products for many years! 

But if you want to add this luscious oil to your skin in its pure form, then stick to brands that are 100% pure, organic, hexane-free, cold or expeller pressed, and bottled in amber glass. 

Why? Because the quality of the oil contributes to its comedogenicity. Basically, if a substance is impure, it could clog your pores.

Queen of the Thrones® Organic Golden Castor Oil is ideal for direct use on your skin and especially on your delicate facial skin because it is:

    • 100% pure
    • Certified organic 
    • Extra virgin
    • Hexane-free
    • Bottled in amber glass

Better still, Queen of the Thrones® Organic Golden Castor Oil is sourced by a naturopathic doctor and recommended by thousands of functional medicine practitioners, chiropractors, osteopaths, mental health doctors, health coaches, and wellness influencers who all include it as a foundational part of their practice.  

Castor Oil can be added to your skincare routine in a number of ways:

    • As a moisturizer: The fatty acids may help retain moisture, giving your skin that plump look we all love. It’s especially helpful if your skin is overly dry as it may help give your skin the nutrients it craves. And if you already have well balanced skin, then Castor Oil may help support this balance.
    • A facial cleanser: Castor Oil has naturally occurring properties that make it ideal as a gentle cleanser and make-up remover.
How to use Castor oil for skin care by Queen of the Thrones
    • As part of a face mask: The natural properties in Castor Oil help dissolve impurities on your skin like make-up residue, while adding moisture and a protective barrier to help your skin stay hydrated. 
    • Around your eyes for fine lines and wrinkles: Because Castor Oil is so rich and thick, it works especially well around your eyes to help support the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. To maximize the benefits, you can wear an Castor Oil Beauty Mask to bed at night. Wearing an eye mask to bed may even help support a more restful sleep while adding moisture to the delicate skin around your eyes.

Castor Oil is an amazing moisturizer it may even help promote a more even skin tone. In rare cases, a hypersensitivity reaction may occur, in which case you should discontinue use. 

If you’d love a little inspiration, you could start by trying this amazing recipe: 

Castor Oil Golden Mask: A Face Mask to Support Clear Skin

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

    • 2 teaspoons of Queen of the Thrones® Organic Golden Castor Oil
    • 1 egg yolk: Provides zinc to soothe and Vitamin A for dry skin
    • 1 tablespoon of raw honey: Honey has natural antibacterial properties which may help keep pimples at bay.

Directions: 

  1. Mix ingredients until it is smooth and spreadable. 
  2. Apply the mixture to your face (avoiding your eyes), and leave it on for 15-30 minutes.
  3. Using a warm washcloth, remove the mask until no residue is left. 
  4. Follow with your favorite moisturizer, or apply Castor Oil to target areas like wrinkles, frown lines, eyelashes, and eyebrows before bed.
  5. You can also deepen this practice by wearing the Castor Oil Beauty Mask while you sleep.

So there you have it. Castor Oil is generally non-comedogenic and unlikely to block pores for most people. Its unique composition, including ricinoleic acid, vitamin E, omega fatty acids, and polyphenols, makes it a valuable addition to your skincare routine. 

Would you love to partner with Queen of the Thrones®? Apply to become an Affiliate or Wholesale Partner now!

Click here for references

1.  Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Ricinoleate SE, Ricinoleic Acid, Potassium Ricinoleate, Sodium Ricinoleate, Zinc Ricinoleate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Ethyl Ricinoleate, Glycol Ricinoleate, Isopropyl Ricinoleate, Methyl Ricinoleate, and Octyldodecyl Ricinoleate. Int J Toxicol. 2007;26 Suppl 3:31-77. doi: 10.1080/10915810701663150. PMID: 18080873.

3. Omari, A., Mgani, Q.A. and Mubofu, E.B. (2015) Fatty Acid Profile and Physico-Chemical Parameters of Castor Oils in Tanzania. Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 5, 154-163.

5. Iqbal J, Zaib S, Farooq U, Khan A, Bibi I, Suleman S. Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Free Radical Scavenging Potential of Aerial Parts of Periploca aphylla and Ricinus communis. ISRN Pharmacol. 2012;2012:563267. doi: 10.5402/2012/563267. Epub 2012 Jul 11. PMID: 22919511; PMCID: PMC3418662.

6. Omari, A., Mgani, Q.A. and Mubofu, E.B. (2015) Fatty Acid Profile and Physico-Chemical Parameters of Castor Oils in Tanzania. Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 5, 154-163.