Turkey Red (Sulfated Castor) Oil
Sulfated Castor Oil, also known as “Turkey Red” Oil because of its use as a dye assistant for Turkey Red cloth, was the first synthetic surfactant, made around 1850. It is derived from natural Castor Oil, through expeller pressing of the castor bean seed, and then reacting with sulfuric acid.
The only oil that is completely water-soluble, Turkey Red Oil will also emulsify other oils in water. Thus, it is commonly used as the base in bath oils and shampoos to emulsify essential and/or fragrance oils, and for superfatting liquid soap to maintain transparency. It also has great skin-moisturizing capabilities and has been used in the treatment of rheumatics.
Turkey Red Oil is thick (though not quite as thick as Castor Oil), clear reddish-brown with a characteristic odor and will separate in cold temperatures[1].