An ethoxylated castor-oil-derived material used to disperse small amounts of oils or fragrance into water-based products.
Sources: 1No alternative names recorded.
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
What it does
Helps keep oil-soluble materials distributed and supports a uniform product.
Sources: 1Good for
- Solubilization and formula uniformity
How to use it
Use within the finished product. Solubilizers are formulation ingredients rather than a separate skincare step.
Sources: 1Who should be careful
A solubilized fragrance can still cause allergy. This material is not identical to unmodified castor oil.
Sources: 1Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Its hydrophilic and lipophilic regions form interfacial structures that aid solubilization.
Sources: 1Potential adverse effects
Tolerance depends on concentration and the full solubilized mixture, including any fragrance or active materials.
Sources: 1Formulation considerations
It is a distribution of molecules, not one PEG-40 compound. Manufacturing impurity control and intended exposure are relevant.
Sources: 1Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
- Exact material, composition and supplier-grade specifications
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
No single structure to show yet
This ingredient represents a mixture, extract, polymer or ingredient family. A single molecular diagram may not describe its composition.
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| material scope | Variable material or ingredient family: no single molecular formula, molecular weight or bond diagram describes every grade. | CIR: PEGylated oils including hydrogenated castor oil derivatives |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (1)
Scientific sources
- CIR: PEGylated oils including hydrogenated castor oil derivativessafety assessment · 2014
Keep exploring: ingredient library or build your skincare routine.
