Castor oil (Ricinus communis), hydrogenated, ethoxylated (60 mol EO average molar ratio)
Family
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)
Plant Part
Seed
CAS #
61788-85-0
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
Synthetic emulsifier created by hydrogenating castor oil and combining it with PEG in the mid-20th century. Castor oil has millennia of use in traditional medicine, while the synthetic modification improved cosmetic stability.