| Appearance | white to cream color powder |
| Content of Zinc | 5.6-6.6% |
| Melting Point | 50–55°C |
| pH of Liquid, Typical (10% soln) | 7.2-7.8 |
| Specific Gravity Approx | 600 kg/m3 |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Color | White |
| Assay Percent Range | 98-100 |
| Linear Formula | C18H33O3Zn |
| IUPAC Name | Zinc (R)-12-hydroxyoctadec-9-enoate |
| Formula Weight | 364.8 |
| percent purity | ≥98% |
| Physical Form | Powder |
| Chemical Name or Material | Zinc ricinoleate |
| Molecular Formula | C36H66O6Zn |
| Molecular Weight | 663.3 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 13040-19-2 |
| Water Solubility | Insoluble |
| Solubility in Oils | Soluble |
| Surfactant Compatibility | Emulsifiable in surfactant systems |
| Applications | Deodorants and antiperspirants (primary application) |
Zinc Ricinoleate is a plant-derived functional ingredient formed by combining zinc with ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid sourced from castor oil. Rather than relying on a synthetic active, this compound uses a naturally occurring building block to deliver its odor-control performance, which makes it an attractive option for formulators looking to move away from petrochemical-based ingredients. It is typically supplied as a fine powder that is insoluble in water but disperses readily into oil phases and surfactant-based systems.
What distinguishes this ingredient is its mechanism of action: rather than simply covering up unpleasant smells the way a masking fragrance does, Zinc Ricinoleate chemically binds to and neutralizes the odor-causing compounds generated by everyday bacterial activity on skin. It is also valued for being biodegradable, free of parabens and aluminum salts, and generally well tolerated by sensitive skin.
The leading use of Zinc Ricinoleate is in deodorant and antiperspirant systems, where it functions as an aluminum-free odor-control agent that addresses malodor at its source rather than relying on fragrance overlay alone. This makes it especially useful in natural and sensitive-skin deodorant lines.
Beyond underarm care, formulators use it in foot creams and body powders to help manage perspiration-related odor, and in broader personal hygiene products where odor control is a core performance claim. It also appears in fragrance formulations, where its odor-binding action can help fragrance notes stay perceptible longer, and it has a place in select wound care and textile treatment applications.
No. Zinc oxide is an inorganic mineral compound, while Zinc Ricinoleate is an organic zinc salt formed from ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid derived from castor oil. Zinc Ricinoleate's odor-neutralizing action comes from its fatty acid structure binding to malodor molecules, not from zinc-oxide chemistry.
Because it is derived from castor oil rather than synthesized from petrochemical or mineral sources, and because it does not rely on aluminum salts to block perspiration — instead chemically neutralizing odor-causing compounds.
It neutralizes malodor molecules at a chemical level rather than covering them up with fragrance.
It should be kept in a cool, dry area below 30°C, sealed away from moisture, since the powder can be sensitive to humidity over time.
Yes, it is commonly selected for sensitive-skin and paraben-free formulations because it is free of parabens and aluminum salts and is generally well tolerated.