PEG-25 Hydrogenated Castor Oil ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily a nonionic solubilizer and emulsifier, used to disperse oils, fragrance components, and lipophilic actives into water-based formulas. It also helps improve clarity and texture in gels, cleansers, and leave-on products.
What does PEG-25 Hydrogenated Castor Oil do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily a nonionic solubilizer and emulsifier, used to disperse oils, fragrance components, and lipophilic actives into water-based formulas. It also helps improve clarity and texture in gels, cleansers, and leave-on products.
Is PEG-25 Hydrogenated Castor Oil clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient has friction because it is made through ethoxylation, a process associated with trace residual ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane if purification is not well controlled. It is generally low in irritation, but many stricter retailer standards flag this class for processing-residue concerns.
Is PEG-25 Hydrogenated Castor Oil sustainable?
This material combines a plant-oil-derived hydrophobic portion with synthetic ethoxylated segments, so its sourcing profile is mixed rather than fully renewable. Its environmental profile is less aligned than simpler plant-derived emulsifiers because ethoxylated nonionic surfactants can have variable biodegradability depending on structure and wastewater conditions.
Is PEG-25 Hydrogenated Castor Oil COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS natural or organic standards because ethoxylated materials are outside the allowed chemistry for those certifications. From a Green Chemistry view, the plant-derived portion is a plus, but petrochemical ethoxylation and residue-management requirements weaken its alignment.
How does PEG-25 Hydrogenated Castor Oil work chemically?
The molecule is an ethoxylated, it triglyceride-derived nonionic surfactant with an average ethoxylate length of about 25 units, giving it strong oil-solubilizing behavior in aqueous systems. It is typically used at low single-digit percentages, is broadly stable across common cosmetic pH ranges, and can be sensitive to electrolyte load or high oil phase demand when clarity is required.
Last updated 2026-05-14