What is it? |
Sulfated castor oil—castor oil that’s been treated with sulfuric acid. |
Appearance |
An orangey-red liquid. |
Texture |
Viscous and a bit sticky. |
Scent |
A bit oily but not very strong. |
Absorbency Speed |
Slow |
Solubility |
Oil and water. |
Why do we use it in formulations? |
As a solubilizer and will self-emulsify in water, and will help disperse other oils in water as well. |
Do you need it? |
No; I’d recommend something newer and less irritating instead. |
Strengths |
It’s one of the most natural emulsifiers out there. |
Weaknesses |
It is irritating to the skin in high concentrations. |
Alternatives & Substitutions |
Polysorbate 80 is a good option. Please read this FAQ for more information. |
How to Work with It |
Use it to create bath products that emulsify into your bath water, and to emulsify small amounts of oil in larger amounts of water (things like room sprays and hair mists). |
Storage & Shelf Life |
Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, Turkey Red oil should last at least a year. |
Tips, Tricks, and Quirks |
It is different from castor oil and can’t be used as an alternative for it in anything. |
Recommended starter amount |
100mL (3.3fl oz) |
Where to Buy it |
Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon. |