PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil PCA Isostearate
AKA: Castor Oil Derivative
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Castor oil (Ricinus communis), hydrogenated, ethoxylated, diesters with isooctadecanoic acid and 2-pyrrolidinone-5-carboxylic acid (20 mol EO average molar ratio)
Effective at 0.28%
Family
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)
Plant Part
Seed
CAS #
61788-85-0
Form
Oil
Functions
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Surfactant Emulsifying
Moisturizing
Strengthens Barrier
Mixes oil and water
Traditional Use
A complex synthetic derivative combining hydrogenated castor oil, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA), isostearic acid, and polyethylene glycol. Created to provide humectant, emulsifying, and conditioning properties in a single modern cosmetic ingredient.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.05%
0.5%
0%1%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 0.05-0.5
Regulatory Agencies
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