PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

PEG / Ethoxylated

What is PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil?

PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil originates from castor oil extracted from Ricinus communis seeds. Hydrogenation saturates the oil's fatty acids for greater stability against oxidation, followed by ethoxylation with 10 units of polyethylene glycol, yielding a hydrophilic, non-ionic surfactant. It appears in shampoos, body washes, moisturizers, and perfumes. Functionally, it lowers surface tension to solubilize fragrances and oils into watery bases, forms interfacial films to prevent emulsion separation in creams and lotions, aids foam generation in cleansers, and delivers emollient slip for even product distribution on skin. This enables clear, homogeneous formulations with enhanced sensory qualities.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores

EWG Safety Rating 3 View on EWG →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

Fragrance ingredient

Contributes scent character and/or masks base odors, shaping the overall sensory experience of the formula (subject to allergen and IFRA considerations).

Emollient

Softens and smooths skin by filling in surface roughness and improving slip; can also help reduce moisture loss when paired with occlusives and film formers.

Surfactant

Lowers surface tension to enable cleansing, emulsifying, and foaming; central to shampoos, body washes, and many emulsions and micellar systems.

Emulsifying agent

Enables stable mixing of oil and water phases by forming an interfacial film, helping create lotions, creams, and cleansers with consistent texture.

Benefits

Improves texture in lotions and creams through effective oil-water blending.

Supports gentle cleansing and foaming in shampoos and washes.

Enhances skin feel with softening and smooth application.

Who It's For

A quick guide for who this ingredient may suit (and who should be cautious).

Who May Benefit	Who Should Avoid
Users of daily cleansers needing stable, foamy lathers.	Those sensitive to ethoxylated ingredients.
Individuals with normal to dry skin for emollient smoothness.	People avoiding synthetic surfactants.
People enjoying fragranced products with consistent scents.	Individuals preferring natural-only formulations.

Safety Notes

Considered safe in cosmetics by ingredient review experts.
Moderate rating from environmental databases due to manufacturing impurities.

Frequently Asked Questions about PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

What does it do in skincare?

It emulsifies, solubilizes fragrances, and softens skin in cleansers, lotions, and shampoos.

Is it safe for regular use?

Expert panels affirm safety in cosmetic concentrations, with low irritation risk.

Does it cause breakouts?

Non-comedogenic rating indicates it does not clog pores.