What Is Acetylated Hydrogenated Castor Glyceride?
Acetylated Hydrogenated Castor Glyceride is a plant-derived ingredient made from castor oil. Castor oil is first split into glycerides, then hydrogenated to make the oil more stable, and finally acetylated to improve its texture and feel on skin. This combination turns the thick, sticky native oil into a smooth, easy-to-spread liquid that blends well with other cosmetic ingredients.
Castor oil has been used in self-care for centuries, but chemists began modifying it in the mid-20th century to solve common formulation problems like stickiness and instability. Acetylated Hydrogenated Castor Glyceride was one of the results, offering a mild, plant-based alternative to synthetic texture enhancers.
Today you will spot it in many beauty products, especially wherever a soft, flexible film is needed. It shows up in moisturizing creams, lipsticks, lip balms, hair masks, styling pomades, anti-aging serums and specialty treatments that need a smooth glide without a greasy after-feel.
Acetylated Hydrogenated Castor Glyceride’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient plays one key role in cosmetics, and that single job brings several perks to a formula.
As a plasticiser, it makes otherwise brittle or stiff films flexible. In practical terms that means a lipstick resists cracking, a hair styling product stays touchable instead of crunchy, and a skincare cream spreads in a thin even layer. By softening the film left on skin or hair it boosts comfort, adds shine and helps active ingredients distribute more evenly for better overall performance.
Who Can Use Acetylated Hydrogenated Castor Glyceride
This softening agent is generally friendly to all skin types. Dry and mature skin benefit from the flexible film it forms, while normal and combination skin appreciate its lightweight feel. Very oily or blemish-prone complexions can usually tolerate it as well, though those extremely sensitive to rich plant oils may prefer to use it sparingly just in case it feels too occlusive.
Because it is obtained entirely from castor beans and contains no animal by-products or processing aids from animal sources, it is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
Research to date shows no evidence that topical Acetylated Hydrogenated Castor Glyceride poses a risk to pregnant or breastfeeding women. That said, this is not medical advice and anyone who is expecting or nursing should always run their full skincare routine past a qualified healthcare provider.
The ingredient does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so there is no added need for special photo-protection beyond the usual daily sunscreen habit.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Individual responses to any cosmetic ingredient can differ. The effects listed below are possible but uncommon when Acetylated Hydrogenated Castor Glyceride is used in a well-formulated product.
- Mild redness or itching in people allergic to castor derivatives
- Rare clogged pores in very oily or acne-prone skin
- Watery eyes or stinging if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Contact dermatitis in those with a specific sensitivity to ricinoleic-acid-based materials
If you experience any of these reactions stop using the product and seek guidance from a medical professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5
Acetylated Hydrogenated Castor Glyceride is highly purified and chemically altered from raw castor oil, which strips away most of the heavier fatty acids that tend to clog pores. The resulting liquid is lightweight and forms a thin, flexible film rather than a thick oily layer, so it rarely traps debris inside follicles. For that reason its comedogenic score is placed at 1, meaning a very low likelihood of causing breakouts.
This makes the ingredient generally acceptable for people who are prone to acne or blackheads, though very oily skin may still prefer lighter formulas overall. It is worth noting that final comedogenicity always depends on the complete product, not on any single component.
Summary
Acetylated Hydrogenated Castor Glyceride is a plant based plasticiser that softens cosmetic films so lipsticks stay creamy, hair products stay touchable and skincare spreads evenly without a greasy feel. By hydrogenating and acetylating castor oil chemists create a stable liquid that boosts spreadability, shine and comfort while keeping formulas from cracking or feeling sticky.
You will find it in a fair number of lip balms, styling creams and moisturizers, but it is not as widely used as silicone or petroleum based plasticisers because it costs a bit more and requires specific handling during production.
Safety data and years of consumer use show it is low risk for irritation or sensitisation, with only rare issues in those allergic to castor derivatives. As with any new cosmetic ingredient it is wise to do a quick patch test when trying a fresh product that contains it just to be careful.