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PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

What PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is & what it does

PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is a polyethylene glycol derivative of hydrogenated castor oil, made by reacting the oil with about 10 units of ethylene oxide. In skincare and sunscreen formulas it functions mainly as a surfactant, emulsifier, and solubilizer, helping to blend oils, fragrances, and water-based ingredients into a stable mixture. Its mild, nonionic nature makes it a common choice for dispersing small amounts of oily ingredients in clear or lightweight products.

What does PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil do in skincare?

PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil works mainly as an emulsifier, surfactant, and solubilizer in cosmetic formulas. It helps blend oils, fragrances, and water-based ingredients into a stable, uniform mixture. This makes it useful for keeping lightweight or clear products well combined.

Is PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil safe?

PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is widely used in cosmetics and is generally considered safe as a mild, nonionic surfactant at typical use levels. As with many surfactants, some people with very sensitive skin may prefer to patch test. This is general information and not medical advice.

Is PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil natural or synthetic?

PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is best described as semi-synthetic. It starts from castor oil, a natural plant oil, which is then hydrogenated and reacted with ethylene oxide to create the PEG portion. The base oil is plant-derived and contains no animal material, but the finished ingredient is chemically processed.

Sunscreens with PEG-10 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

We rate 11 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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