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PEG-3 CASTOR OIL.

Valuable CAS 61791-12-6 / SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

PEG-3 Castor Oil is an ethoxylated derivative of castor oil, primarily valued as a multifunctional ingredient that facilitates the blending of oil and water. It acts as an effective emulsifier, surfactant, and solubilizer, while also contributing emollient and hydrating benefits to the skin.

Summary

Emulsifying Surfactant Solubilizer Emollient Cleansing Agent Hydrating Agent

Science

Mechanism of Action

This ingredient functions by significantly lowering the surface tension between immiscible liquids, thereby enabling the stable formation of emulsions. As a surfactant, it aids in the dispersion of substances and enhances cleansing properties. It further serves as a solubilizer, dissolving other ingredients that would otherwise remain insoluble. When applied to the skin, it can form a protective, hydrating layer, which helps to reduce transepidermal water loss and improve moisture retention.

Research

Clinical Evidence

Insufficient-data confidence
Effective range N/A
Optimal

N/A

Transparency

Dusting Analysis

Not commonly dusted

The Formula

Formulation

Solubility
Both
Optimal pH N/A
0 7 14

Stability

PEG-3 Castor Oil exhibits broad formulation compatibility. For optimal results, particularly with related PEG Castor Oils, heating to 70-75°C with the oil phase before integration with the water phase can enhance emulsion stability and clarity. Increasing the concentration may improve the transparency of turbid formulations.

Conflicts

  • Application on broken or damaged skin should be avoided due to the potential for irritation.
  • At pure, undiluted concentrations, PEG-3 Castor Oil can induce skin irritation.
  • While PEG-3 Castor Oil itself lacks specific incompatibilities in the provided data, other ingredients within the PEG Castor Oil family (e.g., PEG-35 Castor Oil) have been observed to increase the sensitization potential of co-formulated ingredients. This warrants cautious formulation consideration for the entire family.

Safety

Safety Profile

CIR Status
Safe as used
Max tested
50%
Sensitization risk Moderate

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concluded that various PEG Castor Oils (PEG-30, -33, -35, -36, and -40) are safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 50%. This safety conclusion has been broadly extrapolated to include all ingredients within the PEG Castor Oil family, including PEG-3 Castor Oil, provided they are formulated to be non-irritating. Related PEGs are approved by the FDA as indirect food additives. Trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of the ethoxylation process, may be present but can be effectively managed and controlled through stringent purification steps.

Your Skin

Skin Compatibility

Yes Normal
Yes Dry
Yes Oily
No Sensitive
Irritancy Moderate
Comedogenicity Unknown

Our Assessment

Verdict

Valuable

PEG-3 Castor Oil is a valuable, versatile ingredient, playing essential roles in formulation stability and ingredient solubilization, with a robust safety profile up to 50% when integrated into non-irritating cosmetic products.

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