PEG-20 Castor Oil

PEG / Ethoxylated

What is PEG-20 Castor Oil?

PEG-20 Castor Oil derives from castor oil, extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, chemically modified by adding 20 units of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to its fatty acid chains. This creates a water-soluble, nonionic compound commonly used in rinse-off products like shampoos, body washes, and cleansers, as well as leave-on items such as lotions. It functions by lowering surface tension, allowing dirt and oils to be rinsed away during cleansing, and by forming a protective film at oil-water interfaces to prevent separation in emulsions. This enables smooth textures in creams and foams in washes. Regulatory bodies like the Cosmetic Ingredient Review assess it as safe for typical cosmetic concentrations when impurities are minimized.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores
EWG Safety Rating 2-4 View on EWG →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

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

Supports effective cleansing by reducing surface tension for better removal of oils and residues.

Stabilizes emulsions, creating consistent textures in lotions and creams.

Promotes foaming action in shampoos and body washes for a satisfying lather.

Who It's For

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

Who May Benefit Who Should Avoid
People seeking gentle, foaming cleansers for daily use.
Those with sensitive skin prone to irritation from ethoxylated compounds.
Individuals with normal skin preferring stable emulsion-based moisturizers.
People avoiding PEG ingredients due to potential impurity concerns.
Users of shampoos or washes needing reliable surfactant performance.
Individuals with known allergies to castor oil derivatives.

Safety Notes

  • Rated low hazard by EWG (2-4); CIR deems safe in cosmetics with purity controls.
  • Non-comedogenic (rating 0), unlikely to clog pores.

Frequently Asked Questions about PEG-20 Castor Oil

What is PEG-20 Castor Oil made from?

It comes from castor oil seeds, modified with polyethylene glycol for solubility in water-based formulas.

Is PEG-20 Castor Oil comedogenic?

It has a comedogenic rating of 0, meaning it does not typically clog pores.

What roles does it play in cosmetics?

Primarily acts as a surfactant for cleansing and foaming, and an emulsifying agent for blending oil and water.