PEG-8 RICINOLEATE

INCI: PEG-8 RICINOLEATE | Function: Emulsifier, Skin Conditioning | Type: Stabilizer

What Is PEG-8 RICINOLEATE?

A PEG-8 ester of ricinoleic acid. Similar to PEG-7 Ricinoleate but with slightly higher water solubility due to the additional PEG unit. Functions as a non-ionic O/W emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent. The ricinoleic acid backbone from castor oil provides emolliency and a smooth feel, while the PEG chain ensures good dispersion in aqueous phases.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Effective emulsification — helps create stable, fine-textured O/W emulsions
+ Skin conditioning — ricinoleic acid softens and smooths skin
+ Good water dispersibility — easy to incorporate during manufacturing

Pros

+ CIR-reviewed — safe as used in cosmetics
+ Plant-derived fatty acid — renewable castor oil source
+ Non-comedogenic
+ Mild — suitable for sensitive skin formulations
+ Good compatibility with other emulsifiers in HLB systems

Cons

− PEG content — ethoxylation trace impurity risk
− Limited standalone toxicology data
− Temperature-sensitive — emulsion stability may vary with extreme temperatures

Specifications

Property	Value
Usage Areas	Face, Eye, Body
Product Type	Leave-On, Rinse-Off
Source	Semi-synthetic
Natural Level	Semi-synthetic

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	1/5 (very low)
Comedogenic Rating	0/5
EWG Score	1/10

Regional Regulatory Limits

Region	Leave-on %	Rinse-off %	Status
EU (CosIng)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
US (CIR/FDA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
Japan (MHLW)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
ASEAN	No limit	No limit	Allowed
China (NMPA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed

Typical Usage % by Product Type

Product Type	Typical %
Light creams	1-5%
Lotions	1-4%

References

CIR (2018) — Safety Assessment of Castor Oil-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.
Patel VR et al. (2016) — Castor oil: properties, uses, and optimization of processing parameters. Lipids in Health and Disease. PMID: 27592170.
CosIng (2025) — European Commission Cosmetic Ingredient Database. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
EWG Skin Deep — Cosmetic Ingredient Database. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

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