Where to Buy Castor Oil in Australia (and What to Look For)

Castor oil is easy to find in Australia. Finding a good one is harder. Bottles on the shelf range from solvent-extracted oil in clear plastic to certified organic, cold-pressed oil in amber glass, and the labels don't always make the difference obvious. Here is where castor oil is sold, what to look for on the label, and how to choose.

Where can you buy castor oil in Australia?

• Pharmacies and chemists. Most stock castor oil, usually in small bottles. Some is labelled BP (British Pharmacopoeia) grade. What BP grade means.
• Supermarkets. Some carry castor oil in the health or beauty aisle, but range is limited and organic options are rare.
• Health food stores. More likely to stock cold-pressed and organic castor oil, though stock varies from store to store.
• Online marketplaces. The widest range, but also the widest variation in quality, and it can be hard to tell who made the oil or where it came from.
• Direct from a specialist brand. Usually the clearest information on origin, extraction method and certification.

Searching for "castor oil near me"?

If you need a bottle today, a local pharmacy or health food store is your best bet. Call ahead if you want a specific type, such as cold-pressed or certified organic, as many stores carry only one option. If you can wait for delivery, buying online gives you far more choice and makes it easier to check exactly what you are getting.

What to look for when buying castor oil

Check	What to look for	Why it matters
Extraction	"Cold-pressed"	Pressed mechanically without added heat or chemical solvents
Solvents	"Hexane-free"	Hexane is a solvent used to extract cheaper oils
Organic	A named certification	"Organic" on its own isn't a guarantee; a certifier's name is
Ingredients	One ingredient: Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil	Nothing added, so you know exactly what you're using
Packaging	Amber or other dark glass	Protects the oil from light
Purpose	Sold for cosmetic, external use	Some castor oil is industrial grade and not meant for skin or hair

For more detail, see cold-pressed vs refined castor oil and organic vs conventional castor oil.

Warning signs

• No mention of how it was extracted. If a label doesn't say cold-pressed, assume it may not be.
• "Organic" with no certifier named.
• Added fragrance or other oils when you wanted pure castor oil.
• Clear plastic bottles left in bright light.
• Medical claims on the label or listing. Castor oil sold for cosmetic use shouldn't promise to treat or cure anything.

What size should you buy?

Castor oil is thick, so a little goes a long way. A drop or two covers brows or nails, and a few pumps is enough for a hair treatment. If you are trying castor oil for the first time, a smaller bottle is a sensible start. If you use it on your hair every week, a larger bottle works out better value. Store it in a cool cupboard away from direct sunlight, with the lid closed.

Buying castor oil from us

We are an Australian business selling one thing: certified organic castor oil. Ours is pressed from organic seeds grown in India, certified under NPOP and verified by Ecocert. It is cold-pressed and hexane-free, with no solvents used at any stage, and an independent lab test confirmed no hexane was detected. It is bottled in amber glass in Western Australia and shipped Australia-wide, from Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin and Canberra to regional towns. Shop certified organic castor oil.

Frequently asked questions

Is castor oil sold in Australian pharmacies?

Yes, most pharmacies stock it, usually in small bottles. Check the label for how it was extracted and whether it is meant for cosmetic use.

Is castor oil made in Australia?

Not commercially. The castor plant grows wild in parts of Australia, but castor oil sold here is pressed overseas, mostly in India, and then imported. Some brands, including ours, bottle it locally. Read where castor oil comes from.

What is the best castor oil to buy?

For hair and skin, look for cold-pressed, hexane-free, certified organic castor oil with a single ingredient, in dark glass.

What does "pure castor oil" mean?

It should mean the bottle contains only castor oil, with nothing added. Check the ingredients list: it should name only Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil.

Keep reading: Organic vs conventional castor oil · Cold-pressed vs refined castor oil · Where castor oil comes from

For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Patch test before first use. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition.