Hago Wiki > PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
The Oil-in-Water Binder & Solution Helper
What is PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil? Behind this complex name lies an important technical helper in cosmetics. The base is natural castor oil, which is hydrogenated and then chemically modified (PEGylated). The result is a versatile ingredient that makes it possible to mix things that would normally repel each other.
🧪 Solubilizer
Its main task is to dissolve oily substances clearly in aqueous products.
- Clear Products: Without this substance, essential oils or perfume oils would float on top of toners or gels. PEG-40 ensures that they are finely dispersed and the product remains visually clear.
- Emulsifier: It also acts as a mild surfactant and co-emulsifier to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions.
💧 Feel & Care
Although it is primarily a functional substance, it influences the skin feel.
The properties:
- Due to its castor oil base, it has a slightly lipid-replenishing effect and can mitigate the drying out of the skin caused by cleansing products.
- It improves the texture and spreading behavior of gels and lotions on the skin.
⚠ What you should watch out for
Note on PEGs: As a PEG derivative, this substance is produced synthetically. It is considered safe for use on healthy skin. However, as with all PEGs, it should not be applied to open or damaged skin, as it can increase the permeability of the skin barrier. In Hago products, it is used specifically as a safe solubilizer.