INCI name

PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL

PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil

Surfactant – emulsifying Surfactant – cleansingreviewed

A solubiliser for fragrance and essential oils.

What it is

PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil is made by reacting hydrogenated castor oil with ethylene oxide. It helps oils and fragrance dissolve in water-based products.

Where it is used

Found in toners, mists, gels, shampoos and micellar waters.

Limits of interpretation

The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.

PEG ingredients are permitted in EU cosmetics; the number indicates the average length of the polyethylene glycol chain.

Functions

Surfactant – emulsifying: Helping suspensions or dispersions of liquids in a second liquid by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.
Surfactant – cleansing: Wetting body surfaces, emulsifying or solubilizing oils, and suspending soil (generally, such ingredients contribute to the foaming and lathering properties of cleansing products).

EU regulation

This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.

Products with this ingredient (1077)

Check a full ingredient list