Product Overview
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is a nonionic, ethoxylated polyethylene glycol ester made from hydrogenated castor oil. Its INCI name is PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, and its CAS number is 61788 85 0. Produced by reacting 40 moles of ethylene oxide with hydrogenated castor oil, it carries a high HLB in the range of 13 to 15, placing it firmly in the oil in water emulsification and solubilization category.
EZ Elements supplies PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil to Canadian personal care manufacturers and formulators building products that need a genuinely multifunctional ingredient, one that can emulsify, solubilize, foam, and condition all in a single raw material. It is miscible in both water and oil, appears as an off white to yellowish semi solid paste, and can be added to a formulation as is, without additional processing steps.
Why It Is a Multifunctional Formulation Workhorse
Few ingredients cover as many formulation jobs at once as PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, which explains its long-standing presence across personal care product categories.
- A true multifunctional agent. It performs as an emulsifier, surfactant, and solubilizer within a single ingredient, reducing the number of raw materials a formulator needs to source and balance.
- An effective solubilizer for fragrance and actives. It is widely used to solubilize perfume oils, botanical extracts, and vitamins into clear or lightly hazy water-based systems.
- A reliable foam booster. Beyond emulsification, it enhances foam in cleansing formulations such as shower gels, shampoos, and bubble baths.
- Broad system compatibility. It is compatible with nonionic, cationic, and anionic surfactants and performs even in relatively high salt, acidic, or alkaline systems.
- Works alongside low HLB emulsifiers. It can enhance the gelling properties of select low HLB emulsifiers used in water in oil ringing gel microemulsions, giving formulators added flexibility in more complex systems.
Key Features & Benefits
- Multifunctional performance as an emulsifier, surfactant, solubilizer, and foam booster in one ingredient.
- High HLB, in the range of 13 to 15, suited to oil in water emulsification and solubilization.
- Miscible in both water and oil, and can be added to a formulation as is.
- Effective solubilizer for perfume oils, botanical extracts, and vitamins.
- Compatible with nonionic, cationic, and anionic surfactant systems, including relatively high salt or extreme pH formulations.
- Readily biodegradable.
Applications
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is used across formulation categories served by EZ Elements, anchored by personal care formulation as its primary application.
Personal Care & Cosmetic Formulations
- Liquid soaps, body washes, and shower gels, where it emulsifies and boosts foam
- Lotions and creams, functioning as a co-emulsifier alongside primary emulsifiers
- Shampoos and hair care formulations, where it helps disperse conditioning ingredients
- Facial cleansers, contributing gentle foaming and solubilizing performance
- Bubble baths and decorative cosmetics, where its foam boosting properties are especially useful
- Fragranced formulations, where it solubilizes perfume oils into clear or lightly hazy bases
Technical Specifications
| Property | Specification |
| INCI Name | PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil |
| CAS No. | 61788 85 0 |
| Chemical Description | Nonionic, ethoxylated polyethylene glycol ester of hydrogenated castor oil (40 moles ethylene oxide) |
| Appearance | Off white to yellowish semi solid paste to viscous liquid |
| HLB Value | Approximately 13 to 15, suited to oil in water emulsification |
| pH (3% in water) | 5.5 to 7.0 |
| Solubility | Miscible in water and oils |
| Recommended Use Level | Typically 1% to 10%, added to the formulation as is |
| Compatibility | Compatible with nonionic, cationic, and anionic surfactants; effective in relatively high salt, acidic, or alkaline systems |
| Biodegradability | Readily biodegradable |
| Regulatory Status | Evaluated by the CIR Expert Panel as safe for use at concentrations up to 100% in cosmetic formulations; as with other ethoxylated ingredients, manufacturing controls purify out 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide residues; TDS, COA, and SDS available on request |
Why Choose EZ Elements as Your Supplier
EZ Elements supplies PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil with consistent HLB and specification, and complete documentation, supporting personal care manufacturers and formulators across Canada.
- Full documentation including Technical Data Sheet (TDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA), and Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Consistent HLB and pH specification for reliable emulsification and solubilization performance
- Bulk supply with transparent, competitive pricing across all available pack sizes
- Technical support on formulation, usage rates, and troubleshooting for both new and experienced formulators
Safety & Storage Guidelines
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
- Keep the container tightly sealed between uses to prevent contamination.
- For external use only in finished cosmetic formulations.
- Conduct compatibility and stability testing when combining with new surfactant or emulsifier systems.
Complete handling, first aid, and disposal instructions are provided in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available from EZ Elements upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil used for?
It is used as a multifunctional emulsifier, surfactant, and solubilizer in liquid soaps, lotions, body washes, shower gels, shampoos, facial cleansers, and bubble baths, and as a solubilizer for fragrance oils, extracts, and vitamins.
Q2: Is PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil natural?
No. While it is derived from castor oil, it is produced through ethoxylation, a synthetic process that reacts the hydrogenated oil with ethylene oxide. Formulators looking for a naturally derived alternative with similar solubilizing performance often consider Poly Suga Mulse D9, which is PEG free and produced without an ethylene oxide step.
Q3: Is PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil safe to use?
The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil as safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 100%. As with other ethoxylated ingredients, manufacturing controls are used to purify out 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide residues from the finished material.
Q4: What is the recommended usage rate for PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil?
Typical use levels range from 1% to 10%, and it can be added to a formulation as is, without additional processing.
Q5: Can PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil be used with other emulsifiers?
Yes. It is commonly used as a co-emulsifier alongside primary emulsifiers such as Emulsifying Wax NF, and it is compatible with a wide range of nonionic, cationic, and anionic surfactant systems.
Q6: Where can I buy PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil in bulk in Canada?
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is available for bulk purchase directly from EZ Elements, with supply options for personal care manufacturers and formulators across Canada. Contact our team for current pricing, documentation, and product samples.
Related Ingredients
The following EZ Elements ingredients are commonly compared with or used alongside PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil in personal care formulations:
- Poly Suga Mulse D9 A naturally derived, PEG free emulsifier and fragrance solubilizer, often considered as a clean label alternative to PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil.
- Polysorbate 20 A nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer that shares a similar high HLB profile and is frequently compared against PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil for fragrance solubilization.
- Emulsifying Wax NF A self-emulsifying wax often used as a primary emulsifier alongside PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil as a co-emulsifier and solubilizer.
Order or Enquire
Looking to buy PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil in bulk? Contact EZ Elements for current pricing, full product documentation, and supply options across personal care formulation. We supply brands, manufacturers, and formulators across Canada. Reach out today to request a sample, Technical Data Sheet, or a bulk pricing quote for your next project.
