Ricinoleth-40

What is Ricinoleth-40?

Ricinoleth-40 is a polyethylene glycol ether of ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid primarily sourced from castor oil seeds of Ricinus communis. This ethoxylated compound features a chain of 40 ethylene oxide units attached to the ricinoleic molecule, creating an amphiphilic structure with a hydrophilic head and lipophilic tail. In cosmetics, it belongs to the surfactant category and appears in shampoos, body washes, lotions, and fragrance-containing products. It functions by lowering surface tension to facilitate dirt and oil removal during cleansing, forming micelles that incorporate hydrophobic substances like essential oils or perfumes into aqueous solutions for clarity, and stabilizing emulsions by creating a protective film at oil-water interfaces, ensuring product consistency and even distribution.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores

EWG Safety Rating 2 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.

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.

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 gentle cleansing by lifting impurities without stripping skin.

Enables clear, stable formulations by solubilizing oils and fragrances.

Promotes smooth textures in emulsions like lotions and cleansers.

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 seeking mild, foaming cleansers for daily use.	Those with known sensitivity to ethoxylated compounds.
Users of water-based products needing fragrance incorporation.	Individuals preferring preservative-free or PEG-free products.
People preferring non-comedogenic ingredients in skincare routines.	People experiencing irritation from castor oil derivatives.

Safety Notes

Low hazard rating with minimal irritation potential in typical use.
Non-comedogenic, suitable for acne-prone skin without pore clogging.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ricinoleth-40

What is Ricinoleth-40 made from?

It's derived from ricinoleic acid in castor oil, ethoxylated for surfactant properties.

Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

It has low irritation potential, making it generally suitable for most skin types.

Does it clog pores?

Rated non-comedogenic, so it does not contribute to pore blockage.