What Is Tea-Peg-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Succinate?
Tea-Peg-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Succinate is a plant-derived ingredient made by combining castor oil with ethylene oxide, then hydrogenating it to make it more stable, and finally reacting it with succinic anhydride. The finished material is neutralized with triethanolamine, giving it a water-friendly salt form that blends easily into creams and lotions. Castor oil has been used for centuries in skin care, and chemists began modifying it in the mid-20th century to improve how it mixes with water and oil. This specific version became popular when formulators needed a gentle helper that keeps water and oil together in modern rinse-off and leave-on products. Today you will find it in facial masks, lightweight moisturizers, cleansing balms, hair conditioners, body lotions and some mild baby care items.
Tea-Peg-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Succinate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
Its main job in a formula is as an emulsifier, meaning it keeps watery and oily ingredients from separating. By doing so it creates a smooth even texture, helps active ingredients spread more evenly over the skin or hair and improves product stability so you do not see unwanted layers or clumps during storage.
Who Can Use Tea-Peg-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Succinate
This emulsifier is generally considered safe for all skin types including sensitive dry oily combination and mature skin. It is mild non-greasy and unlikely to clog pores so even acne-prone users usually tolerate it well. People with a known allergy to castor oil derivatives or polyethylene glycols should avoid it because they may react to trace residuals from the manufacturing process.
Because it is sourced from castor beans and no animal by-products are used during production it is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
Current safety data indicate that topical use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding poses very low risk because the molecule is too large to penetrate deeply into skin. This is not medical advice pregnant or nursing individuals should still ask their healthcare professional before adding any new skincare product to their routine.
The ingredient does not absorb UV light or make skin more reactive to sunlight so it is not associated with photosensitivity. It also plays well with most other cosmetic ingredients making formulation conflicts uncommon.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to Tea-Peg-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Succinate can vary from person to person. The following list covers potential but unlikely reactions when the ingredient is used topically in a properly formulated product. Most users will experience none of these issues.
- Mild skin irritation such as redness stinging or itching
- Contact dermatitis in individuals allergic to castor oil or PEG derivatives
- Watery eyes or temporary eye discomfort if a rinse-off product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Rare clogged pores in highly acne-prone users when used in very rich leave-on formulas
If you experience any adverse reaction stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5
This low score reflects its large, water-friendly molecular structure and high level of hydrogenation, both of which limit its ability to sit inside pores and harden. The PEG groups further increase solubility, so it rinses away more easily than plain castor oil derivatives. Overall it poses little risk of clogging pores, making it generally suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin.
Formulas that pair it with very heavy butters or waxes may still feel rich, so the finished product can influence pore-clogging potential more than the emulsifier itself.
Summary
Tea-Peg-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Succinate works mainly as an emulsifier, keeping oil and water phases blended so creams, lotions and cleansers stay smooth and stable. Its castor-oil backbone offers a gentle skin feel, while PEG groups and hydrogenation give it the water compatibility and shelf stability modern formulas need.
It enjoys moderate popularity: not as ubiquitous as classic polysorbates yet favored by formulators who want a plant-derived option that is mild, vegan friendly and low in grease.
Current data show it is safe for most skin types with a very low irritation or sensitization rate. As with any new cosmetic ingredient, perform a patch test when trying a product that contains it, especially if you have highly reactive skin.