What Is Peg-7 Ricinoleate?
Peg-7 Ricinoleate is a liquid ingredient made by attaching about seven units of ethylene oxide to ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid found in castor oil. This process, called ethoxylation, turns the thick fatty acid into a lighter water-compatible material that blends well with oils and water. Castor oil has been used for skin and hair care for centuries but the pegylated version appeared in the late twentieth century when chemists looked for plant-based alternatives to animal fats and petroleum-derived emulsifiers.
Today Peg-7 Ricinoleate is produced in modern facilities where purified ricinoleic acid from castor seeds reacts with controlled amounts of ethylene oxide under heat and pressure. The result is a clear to pale-yellow liquid that stays stable over a wide pH range and temperature. Because it helps oil and water stay mixed, you will often see it in cleansing balms, facial oils that rinse off, makeup removers, lightweight lotions, sunscreens, sheet mask serums and hair conditioners.
Peg-7 Ricinoleate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient is prized for one main job in formulas
As an emulsifying agent it pulls oily and watery parts of a product together so they do not split. This makes creams look smooth, keeps cleansing oils from feeling greasy and lets makeup removers rinse away cleanly. Stable blends also mean the product lasts longer on the shelf and delivers its active ingredients evenly each time you use it.
Who Can Use Peg-7 Ricinoleate
Peg-7 Ricinoleate is generally well tolerated by most skin types, including dry, combination, sensitive and oily skin, because it is lightweight and non occlusive. People prone to fungal acne sometimes avoid castor derivatives, but current data do not show a high risk of flare-ups with this ingredient.
The raw materials come from castor beans and petrochemical ethylene oxide, so no animal-derived substances are involved. That makes Peg-7 Ricinoleate suitable for vegans and vegetarians, provided the finished formula is cruelty free.
There are no studies indicating that external use of Peg-7 Ricinoleate poses a risk during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Still, this is not medical advice. Expectant or nursing women should check any skincare product with their physician to stay on the safe side.
The ingredient does not increase photosensitivity, so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It is also free of fragrance and essential oils, which further reduces the likelihood of reactivity for those with very sensitive skin.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Side effects from topical Peg-7 Ricinoleate can vary from one person to another. The points below list potential reactions, though they are uncommon when the ingredient is used correctly in a well-formulated product.
- Temporary skin irritation such as mild redness or itching
- Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals sensitized to castor derivatives
- Eye stinging or watering if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Occasional clogged pores or folliculitis in those extremely prone to breakouts when used in very rich formulas
If any adverse effect occurs stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5. Peg-7 Ricinoleate starts from castor oil, which itself is rated around 1, but the ethoxylation process makes the molecule lighter and less likely to clog pores. It spreads in a thin, non occlusive layer and readily rinses away, so buildup inside follicles is rare.
Suitability for acne-prone skin: most people who break out easily can use products containing Peg-7 Ricinoleate without a problem, especially in rinse-off or lightweight leave-on formulas.
Because comedogenicity also depends on the full formula, very heavy balms or creams that use high levels of this ingredient could still trigger congestion in a small subset of users.
Summary
Peg-7 Ricinoleate is primarily an emulsifier that keeps oil and water blended, giving creams a smooth feel and helping cleansing oils rinse away cleanly. It achieves this by pairing the water-loving ethylene oxide chain with the oil-loving ricinoleic acid tail, positioning itself at the oil-water interface to stabilize the mixture.
The ingredient enjoys moderate popularity: it is common in modern cleansing balms, micellar oils and hybrid skincare-makeup products but is not as widespread as older emulsifiers like polysorbates.
Overall safety is high, with irritation or allergy being uncommon and comedogenic risk low. As with any new skincare product, it is wise to do a quick patch test first to make sure your skin agrees with the full formula.