PEG-35 Castor Oil

PEG / Ethoxylated

Concerns

Malassezia Feeding

What is PEG-35 Castor Oil?

PEG-35 Castor Oil originates from castor oil extracted from Ricinus communis seeds, chemically modified by attaching 35 ethylene oxide units to create a water-soluble, nonionic surfactant. This process transforms the natural triglyceride into a versatile ingredient suited for rinse-off and leave-on cosmetics like shampoos, body washes, creams, and toners. In formulations, it reduces surface tension to promote wetting and spreading, stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions by forming protective films around droplets, and disperses lipophilic substances such as essential oils and fragrances into watery bases. This enables homogeneous, aesthetically pleasing products with consistent viscosity and clarity, enhancing overall performance without altering sensory feel significantly.

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.

Solubilizing agent

Helps incorporate oils and fragrance into water-based formulas by forming micro-solutions, enabling clear sprays, toners, and micellar products.

Benefits

Supports thorough cleansing by lowering surface tension for better dirt removal.

Facilitates smooth lotion textures through stable oil-water blending.

Allows clear incorporation of fragrances in water-based products.

Who It's For

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

Who May Benefit	Who Should Avoid
Individuals using foaming shampoos or body washes for daily hygiene.	Those prone to Malassezia-related skin issues.
Users preferring lightweight, clear toners and sprays.	Individuals sensitive to ethoxylated compounds.
People seeking non-comedogenic emulsifiers in moisturizers.	Users preferring formulations free of PEG derivatives.

Safety Notes

Generally considered safe for cosmetic use with low to moderate hazard ratings.
May carry trace impurities common to ethoxylated ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions about PEG-35 Castor Oil

What is PEG-35 Castor Oil used for?

Primarily as a surfactant for cleansing, emulsifier for lotions, and solubilizer for fragrances in water-based products.

Is PEG-35 Castor Oil comedogenic?

It has a comedogenic rating of 0, suggesting it does not promote pore clogging.

Does it pose irritation risks?

Typically low irritation potential in cosmetic applications, though individual sensitivities vary.