PEG/PPG-10/2 RICINOLEATE

INCI: PEG/PPG-10/2 RICINOLEATE | Function: Emulsifier, Surfactant | Type: Stabilizer

What Is PEG/PPG-10/2 RICINOLEATE?

A PEG/PPG ester of ricinoleic acid, the primary fatty acid from castor oil (Ricinus communis). This semi-synthetic ingredient functions as an emulsifier and mild surfactant, helping to blend oil and water phases in cosmetic formulations. It also provides light conditioning and contributes to the creamy texture of cleansers and lotions.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Effective O/W emulsifier — stabilizes oil droplets in water-based creams
+ Mild surfactant — contributes to gentle cleansing in facial washes
+ Castor oil derived — retains some natural fatty acid benefits

Pros

+ CIR-reviewed — safe as used in cosmetic products
+ Non-comedogenic — will not cause breakouts
+ Semi-natural origin — derived from renewable castor oil
+ Gentle — suitable for sensitive skin formulations

Cons

− Limited individual safety studies beyond class review
− Castor oil derivatives may cause rare allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
− Ethoxylated — PEG content carries trace contaminant risk

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 %
Cleansers	1-5%
Creams / lotions	1-3%

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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