What Is Peg/Ppg-32/3 Diricinoleate?
Peg/Ppg-32/3 Diricinoleate is a synthetic liquid derived from castor oil. Chemists start with ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid in castor oil, then attach a controlled mix of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol (PPG) chains to create a diester. The numbers 32/3 indicate the average amount of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units grafted onto each molecule, giving the ingredient its balance of water-loving and oil-loving parts.
PEG-castor derivatives first appeared in the 1950s as safer, easier-to-use replacements for natural soap emulsifiers. Over the decades formulators refined the ratios of PEG and PPG to fine-tune how well the molecules blend oils with water. Peg/Ppg-32/3 Diricinoleate’s particular mix became popular for its mildness and versatility, earning a place in modern personal care chemistry handbooks.
The ingredient is produced in a closed reactor where castor oil reacts with ethylene oxide and propylene oxide under heat and pressure. After purification and quality checks, the clear viscous liquid is ready for use in cosmetics. You will most often see it in face creams, body lotions, makeup removers, sunscreens, hair masks, conditioning treatments and some color cosmetics where a stable oil-in-water texture is needed.
Peg/Ppg-32/3 Diricinoleate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient is valued mainly for one key job in formulas.
Emulsifying: Peg/Ppg-32/3 Diricinoleate helps oil and water mix smoothly so products stay uniform from the first pump to the last. A good emulsion feels lighter on the skin, spreads more evenly and delivers active ingredients more consistently. By keeping the product from separating it also improves shelf life and reduces the need for extra preservatives.
Who Can Use Peg/Ppg-32/3 Diricinoleate
Peg/Ppg-32/3 Diricinoleate is generally well tolerated by all skin types including dry, combination, oily and mature skin because it stays on the surface and helps other ingredients spread without adding heavy residue. Very reactive or allergy-prone skin should still keep an eye out for any PEG sensitivity since the molecule contains polyethylene glycol segments.
The ingredient is plant based because its fatty acid backbone comes from castor oil and the added PEG and PPG units are produced synthetically, not from animal sources, so it fits vegan and vegetarian lifestyles.
No specific warnings have been issued for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The molecule does not penetrate deeply and is considered low risk, yet this is not medical advice and anyone who is expecting or nursing should run their skin care routine past a qualified health professional to be on the safe side.
Peg/Ppg-32/3 Diricinoleate is not known to cause photosensitivity so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It also plays well with common actives like retinol or vitamin C because it is chemically stable and nonreactive.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Peg/Ppg-32/3 Diricinoleate vary from person to person. The points below list potential side effects that have been reported in rare cases; most users experience none of these issues when the ingredient is formulated and used correctly.
- Mild skin redness or stinging in very sensitive individuals
- Allergic contact dermatitis tied to pre-existing PEG allergy
- Temporary eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Follicular congestion or small bumps if a heavy leave-on formula is applied to acne-prone areas
If any of these reactions occur discontinue use and seek advice from a healthcare professional or dermatologist.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5
Peg/Ppg-32/3 Diricinoleate sits low on the comedogenic scale because its long PEG and PPG chains make it highly water soluble so it is unlikely to settle deep in pores or form a heavy, greasy film. While it can add a bit of slip, most formulas use it at low levels strictly to keep oil and water blended which further reduces clogging risk. Very rich leave-on products that combine it with thicker waxes or butters could inch the pore-blocking potential upward but the ingredient itself is considered minimal risk.
This makes it generally suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin.
No special storage or formulation quirks affect its comedogenicity; stability is good across a wide pH and temperature range so it is not prone to breaking down into pore-clogging fragments over time.
Summary
Peg/Ppg-32/3 Diricinoleate is a castor-oil-based emulsifier that keeps water and oil phases mixed, improves spreadability and enhances the overall feel of creams, lotions and hair treatments. It performs these tasks thanks to its dual nature: the fatty ricinoleic backbone grabs onto oils while the PEG and PPG side chains pull toward water, creating a stable bridge between the two.
The ingredient is moderately popular. It shows up often in mainstream moisturizers and makeup removers but competes with many newer green-labeled emulsifiers so it is not a headline star.
Safety data rate it as low irritation, low sensitization and low comedogenicity for most users. As with any cosmetic ingredient individual reactions are still possible so it is smart to patch test a new product before applying it widely.