Ingredient dictionary

PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

A plant-derived emulsifier made from hydrogenated castor oil. Its main job is to help oil and water blend and stay mixed. It is on the label of 8 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

What PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil does

Helps oil and water stay blended
Helps oils and fragrances mix into water
Helps solid particles stay evenly spread

This ingredient starts with castor oil from castor beans, which is hydrogenated to make it more stable. It is then reacted with ethylene oxide, a process called ethoxylation. The "60" means the chain carries, on average, about 60 repeating ethylene oxide units. Those units attract water, while the oily part of the molecule attracts oil.

Formulators use it as a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer. Nonionic means it has no electrical charge, so it blends well with many other ingredients. It helps oils and fragrances mix into water-based products and keep them from separating. In a finished product, it adds little feel of its own, so the texture comes mostly from the rest of the formula.

Good for

Suits many products that combine water and oil, including eyeliners and exfoliants, where smooth, stable blending matters.

Frequently asked questions

Is PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil safe for skin?

It is widely used in cosmetics and is generally well tolerated. Any ingredient can still bother a sensitive person, though. If your skin reacts easily, patch test a new product on a small area first.

Does PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil contain ethylene oxide?

Ethylene oxide is a building block used during manufacturing. The finished ingredient is a different, much larger molecule. Reputable suppliers test for leftover starting materials.