Castor oil, ethoxylated (44 mol EO average molar ratio)
Family
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)
Plant Part
Seed
CAS #
61791-12-6
Form
Oil
See origin →
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
A synthetic emulsifier derived from castor oil, which has been used for over 4,000 years in Egyptian and Ayurvedic medicine as a skin moisturizer and anti-inflammatory. The PEG modification was developed in the mid-20th century to improve water solubility and emulsifying properties.