What Is Peg-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil?
PEG-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil starts with ordinary castor beans grown for their rich oil content. The raw castor oil is first hydrogenated, a process that adds hydrogen to the oil so it turns from a liquid into a wax-like solid. Next it is reacted with about 100 units of ethylene oxide, which makes the wax water friendly. The result is a smooth, creamy ingredient that blends easily with both water and oil.
This versatile material first appeared in personal care labs in the mid-20th century as chemists looked for plant-based options that could replace animal fats in soaps and creams. Its ability to pull oil and water together quickly earned it a spot in cleansers, lotions and hair products. Today it is common in face masks, moisturizers, sunscreens, hair conditioners, color cosmetics, baby wipes and gentle body washes.
Manufacturers produce it in large stainless steel reactors under controlled temperature and pressure. Quality checks make sure the final product is free of residual solvents and has a consistent molecular size. Its mild nature and reliable performance explain why formulators still reach for it whenever they need a plant-derived helper that keeps products stable and pleasant to use.
Peg-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In beauty formulas PEG-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil serves two main jobs that improve how a product works and feels on the skin or hair.
- Cleansing: It traps dirt, oil and makeup then lifts them away when rinsed, helping create gentle face and body washes that leave skin fresh without a tight feel
- Emulsifying: It holds water and oil together so creams, lotions and sunscreens stay smooth and do not separate on the shelf or during use, which means a more elegant texture and consistent delivery of active ingredients
Who Can Use Peg-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
This ingredient is generally considered friendly for all skin types including dry, normal, combination and oily because it is mild and non stripping. Those with very acne prone skin may still prefer to monitor use since rich emulsifiers can occasionally feel heavy if layered in multiple products, though Peg-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil itself is regarded as low on the clogging scale.
Because it is derived from castor beans and contains no animal sourced materials it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The hydrogenation and ethoxylation steps do not involve animal by-products.
Current safety data show no issues specific to pregnancy or breastfeeding. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should discuss any skincare product with a physician before use to be extra cautious.
The ingredient does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight so it is not classed as photosensitising. It is also fragrance free and typically well tolerated by sensitive skin. Lastly it is water dispersible which helps products rinse cleanly leaving little residue.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Peg-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil vary from person to person. The points below outline potential side effects but most users will not encounter them when the ingredient is properly formulated and used as directed.
- Skin irritation such as redness stinging or itching especially on very sensitive or compromised skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals with a specific castor oil allergy
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Build up on hair shafts leading to a weighed down feel when used in high concentrations in leave-in products
- Possible trace contamination with 1,4-dioxane if manufacturing purification steps are not well controlled
If any adverse reaction occurs discontinue use immediately and seek advice from a healthcare professional or dermatologist.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5 – The castor oil backbone on its own can clog pores in some people, but once it is hydrogenated and heavily PEG-ylated its large, water-friendly structure stays mostly on the surface and rinses away easily. It acts more like a cleansing agent than a heavy oil so it rarely blocks follicles.
Because of the low rating it is generally suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin, especially when used in wash-off products.
Concentration matters: at the small levels found in most cleansers and creams the risk of congestion stays minimal, while very rich leave-on balms that use it as a primary base could feel heavier on oily skin types.
Summary
PEG-100 Hydrogenated Castor Oil works as a mild cleanser and a reliable emulsifier. Its water-loving head grabs onto grime while its oil-friendly tail binds with makeup and sebum, letting both rinse away cleanly. The same dual nature keeps water and oil phases blended in lotions so textures stay silky and stable on the shelf.
It remains a popular workhorse in modern formulations thanks to its plant origin, versatility and gentle profile, popping up everywhere from baby wipes to luxury sunscreens.
Safety reviews find it low in irritation potential with no major toxicity concerns. Still, every skin is unique so it is smart to patch test any new product that contains this ingredient to make sure it plays nicely with your complexion.