murphyPEG-16 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
AKA: PEG-16 hydrogenated ricinus communis oil
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Not Clean
OriginNative to India. Derived from castor oil seeds of Ricinus communis, a plant in the Euphorbiaceae family native to India. Produced through hydrogenation of castor oil, followed by polyethylene glycol esterification to create the surfactant.
Castor oil (Ricinus communis), hydrogenated, ethoxylated (16 mol EO average molar ratio)
Family
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)
Plant Part
Seed
CAS #
61788-85-0
Form
Oil
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Concentration Guide
CIR's newest survey reports no concentration of use.
CIR · report published 2014
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR