The Climbing Demand for Esters and Its Role in Organic Cold-Pressed Castor Oil

Finding a 100% natural, reliable and beneficial organic cold-pressed castor oil for all purposes is no easy nut to crack. It may happen while reading the labels of certain natural and organic products, you may find a few strange and synthetic-like names in the ingredient and back out fearing it’s not 100% natural. But, you need not be scared because there’s nothing to worry about. Several naturally-derived emollients are actually plant oils that undergo a reaction (between an organic acid and alcohol or hydrogen or glycerin). Although there are emollients that are synthetic, there are also plenty of natural alternatives that are 100% natural and sustainable.

The Comeback of Castor Oil

Castor oil, in spite of being the oldest remedy for multiple health problems, especially for skin and hair, it lost its fame due to many new chemical innovations in cosmetics and personal care products with time. When people began to get products that were non-sticky, aromatic, and blended into the skin well, castor oil got neglected due to its thick, pale-looking, and pungent smell.

Decades passed and when the realization struck hard on people that chemicals do more bad than good, they began to switch back to natural products which is the reason why 100% natural, and organic products are in great demand. Hence, castor oil came back into the business.

By comeback, we don’t mean it was entirely out of business or now has suddenly turned into a sweet-smelling oil, castor oil is still the same as it was just that, more castor oil derivatives were discovered which expanded the use of castor oil without losing its natural abilities.

Today, you can find the same old wine in a new bottle meaning the same old pure organic cold-pressed castor oil back on shelves in various forms such as a prime ingredient in cosmetic products. So, what makes castor oil so efficient for skin and hair care? Let’s understand.

The Composition of Castor Oil

Castor oil is packed with a combination of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids which contribute to stronger, healthier, and fuller-looking hair through conditioning the roots and nourishing the hair follicles. They are the reason why castor oil proves to be an incredible oil for making the lashes and brows look amazing as well.

In the same way as other vegetable oils, castor oil is a triglyceride made up of various fatty acids and about 10% glycerin in which, the fatty acids consist of approximately 80-90% ricinoleic acid, 3-6% linoleic acid, 2-4% oleic acid, and 1-5.5 saturated fatty acids. The high content of ricinoleic acid and its unique composition of a double bond, a carboxylic group, and a long chain of hydrocarbon along with a combination of fatty acid esters linked to the backbone of glycerol is the reason for the versatility of castor oil due to which we today have a number of castor oil derivatives that prove to be a safe, remarkable, and effective alternative to synthetic ingredients in cosmetic and personal care products.

What are Esters and How does the Presence of it Revolutionize a Product?

Esters are organic compounds, derived from carboxylic acids (organic or inorganic) in which the carboxyl group –COOH is contained in a carboxylic acid while at least one –OH hydroxyl group is being replaced by a hydrocarbon group of some kind which could be an –O– alkyl (alkoxy) group like methyl, ethyl, or one containing a benzene ring like phenyl.

In simple terms, esters are a group of chemical compounds which are formed from the condensation reaction that occurs by bonding between an alcohol group and a group of organic acids, by losing water molecules.

Esters can be found throughout the natural world in many foods, such as fruit, and alcoholic beverages, which means they fall within the category of oleochemicals, which are naturally-derived chemicals rather than synthetic, potentially harmful ones. They are known for their range of characteristic pleasant, fruity fragrances and flavors and are common in organic and biological materials.

Esters are pretty famous in the food industry for enhancing flavor and improving food texture, but they have also found their way into many other arenas, including personal care, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, metal treatment, and lubricants.

Ester and its Role in Castor Oil

The presence of ester in castor oil is revolutionary because it is what enhances the feel and performance of other ingredients as well. They also help smooth the skin’s texture and act as protection which is why castor oil is used in cosmetic and skincare products as a great surfactant, emollient, solvent, and thickening agent.

For example – the Methyl esters of castor oil known as Methyl Ricinoleate is a clear, viscous fluid that is used as a surfactant, cutting fluid additive, lubricant, and plasticizer. Its addition to castor oil makes it eligible for the production of heptaldehyde and methyl undecenoate for flavors and perfumes in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries as well as in the manufacturing of various spray oils, cutting oils, and soluble oils.

The Road Ahead

Due to the growing need for natural ingredients in cosmetic and personal care products, the market for esters is booming and is expected to reach USD 125.30 billion by 2029, registering a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period of 2022-2029.

And it is not something we cannot believe because the way esters are improving the fragrance, texture, and performance of skin and hair care products providing the same results as synthetic chemicals and ingredients, is worth praising as they are not only dermatologically safe but are also biodegradable, making them an environmentally sustainable ingredient.

So, if you are looking for organic cold-pressed castor oil that contains all the goodness of esters, look no more because Ambuja Solvex is the answer to your search. We are the leading manufacturer of castor oil in India for years and our products speak of its quality and effectiveness on their own. Check out our various castor ranges of castor oil and their products to know more about us.