PEG-80 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

PEG / Ethoxylated

What is PEG-80 Hydrogenated Castor Oil?

PEG-80 Hydrogenated Castor Oil originates from castor oil extracted from Ricinus communis seeds, which is hydrogenated for stability and then ethoxylated with 80 units of polyethylene glycol. This creates a nonionic surfactant with a lipophilic castor oil backbone and hydrophilic PEG chains, enabling it to bridge oil and water phases. In cosmetics, it appears in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, toners, and fragrance products. It functions by reducing surface tension for effective dirt removal, forming micelles to lift oils and impurities, emulsifying ingredients for stable blends, and solubilizing hydrophobic fragrances and oils into clear water-based formulas, supporting micellar waters and sprays without cloudiness.

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).

Surfactant

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

Cleansing agent

Removes dirt, oil, and impurities by lowering surface tension and forming micelles, enabling soils to be lifted and rinsed away from skin, hair, or teeth.

Solubilizing agent

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

Benefits

Facilitates gentle cleansing by forming micelles that lift dirt and oils from skin and hair.

Solubilizes fragrances and oils for clear, stable water-based products like toners.

Supports emulsion stability in cleansers and washes for even texture.

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 non-comedogenic options.	Those with known sensitivity to ethoxylated ingredients.
Individuals preferring clear fragrance sprays or micellar waters.	People preferring silicone- and PEG-free formulations.
People with normal to oily skin seeking effective yet mild surfactants.	Individuals concerned about potential trace impurities from processing.

Safety Notes

Considered safe for use in cosmetics by regulatory reviews when properly purified.
Non-comedogenic, unlikely to clog pores based on ratings.

Frequently Asked Questions about PEG-80 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

What is PEG-80 Hydrogenated Castor Oil used for?

It serves as a surfactant, cleansing agent, and solubilizer in shampoos, body washes, and toners to mix oils with water.

Is it comedogenic?

It has a comedogenic rating of 0, indicating low likelihood of pore clogging.

Are there safety concerns?

Regulatory bodies deem it safe in cosmetics when purified, with low hazard potential.