PEG-75 Castor Oil

AKA: Polyethylene glycol castor oil, PEG-75 CO
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Castor oil, ethoxylated (75 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
Locks In Moisture
Antioxidant Protection
Anti-Aging Benefits
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
Castor oil has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic, Egyptian, and traditional medicine as an emollient and laxative. The PEG-75 version was developed in the 20th century to make castor oil water-soluble for easier incorporation into modern cosmetics.
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