PEG-2 Castor Oil

AKA: Polyethylene glycol 2 castor oil
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Castor oil, ethoxylated (2 mol EO average molar ratio)
Family
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)
Plant Part
Seed
CAS #
61791-12-6
Form
Oil
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
Reduces Inflammation
Wound Healing
Fights Bacteria
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
A synthetic derivative combining polyethylene glycol with castor oil, developed in the mid-20th century. Designed to improve the solubility and stability of traditional castor oil while maintaining some of its conditioning properties.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
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.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR