High‑purity PEG‑40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil photographed in clean, spa‑like aesthetic for stable oil‑in‑water emulsions in modern cosmetic products

An amber glass bottle of JNA Ingredient Co. PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 250g, showcased in luxury minimalist bottle for emulsifying, dispersing, and stabilising water‑based skincare formulations

JNA Ingredient Co. PEG‑40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil showcased in luxury minimalist bottle for emulsifying, dispersing, and stabilising water‑based skincare formulations

20Kg Bulk white container of formulator‑ready PEG‑40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil showcased in minimalist supplier aesthetic for dispersing oils, vitamins, and botanical extracts into water‑based systems

Promotional graphic for PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, showing a clear glass beaker with a glass stirring rod and a transparent liquid, alongside text describing its cosmetic-grade properties and benefits.

Product packaging may vary from the images shown based on pack size and packaging availability. Product specifications and declared net contents remain unchanged.

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

$17.95

Cosmetic grade solubiliser

Water dispersible

Non-Ionic Solubiliser

Solubilises Oils & Fragrance

≥90% Active Substance

Sold by weight (g or Kg) for formulation accuracy. Reference only: 250 g ≈ 245–250 mL (at 20°C).

Need a larger quantity? Explore bulk and trade supply options for production volumes.

VIEW BULK & TRADE OPTIONS

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

$17.95

OUR DIFFERENCE

Selected for specification, not just ingredient name.

Materials sold under the same ingredient name or INCI can differ in grade, purity, specification limits and supporting documentation. JNA selects ingredients with these differences in mind.

Specification Matters

Selected for stronger purity and quality parameters where specification makes the difference.

Cosmetic grade

Selected for professional cosmetic formulation.

Documented quality

Manufacturing and batch documentation available.

Formulator ready

Defined use levels and processing guidance.

Explore quality & specification

FORMULATION OVERVIEW

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is a versatile non-ionic solubiliser used to incorporate fragrance, essential oils and other suitable oil-soluble ingredients into water-containing cosmetic formulations. It is particularly useful when developing toners, facial mists, serums, cleansers, shampoos and body washes where small amounts of lipophilic material need to be effectively incorporated into an aqueous system.

Its value to formulators extends beyond simple fragrance solubilisation. PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil provides solubilising and dispersing functionality across a broad range of skincare, haircare and personal-care systems, making it a practical ingredient for both leave-on and rinse-off development. Its versatility allows formulators to work with different oil-soluble materials while adjusting the system around the clarity, appearance and performance required from the finished formulation.

For formulators, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil offers a useful combination of solubilising performance, versatility and practical formulation flexibility. JNA’s cosmetic-grade material is supplied to a defined specification with manufacturing and batch documentation, providing a documented formulation ingredient for development through to ongoing production.

Why Formulators Choose It

Effective oil & fragrance solubilisation - Helps incorporate fragrance, essential oils and other suitable lipophilic ingredients into water-containing cosmetic systems.
Useful across aqueous formulations - Well suited to toners, facial mists, serums and other water-dominant products requiring effective incorporation of small oil-soluble components.
Works across rinse-off systems - Useful in cleansers, body washes, shampoos and other surfactant-based formulations containing fragrance or compatible lipophilic materials.
Solubilising & dispersing functionality - Provides more than one useful formulation function when managing oil-soluble materials within water-containing systems.
Flexible formulation tool - The level can be adjusted around the material being incorporated and the clarity, appearance and performance required from the finished product.
Defined cosmetic-grade material - Supplied with a defined active substance specification and supporting manufacturing and batch documentation.

View in Ingredient Dictionary

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

Ingredient PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

INCI PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

CAS 61788-85-0

Solubility Water soluble

FORMULATION NOTES

Processing Notes

Pre-mix PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil thoroughly with the fragrance, essential oil or other suitable oil-soluble material at room temperature. Slowly add the premix into the water phase under continuous stirring until uniformly incorporated. Avoid overheating above 60°C. Assess the finished system for clarity, homogeneity and stability.

Compatibility Notes

Compatible with a broad range of cosmetic formulation systems and particularly useful in aqueous and surfactant-based products. Performance can vary with the type and concentration of oil-soluble material, surfactants, electrolytes and other formulation components, so compatibility should be confirmed in the finished system.

pH Notes

The supplied material has a specified pH range of 5.0–7.5. PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is not used as a pH adjuster; finished-product pH should be selected according to the requirements of the complete formulation.

Formulation Examples

Facial Toner or Mist - Use PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil to help incorporate a small fragrance or suitable oil-soluble component into an otherwise predominantly aqueous system. Optimise the solubiliser level around the specific material and desired finished-product clarity.

Fragrance-Containing Cleanser - Incorporate PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil to support even distribution of fragrance or other compatible lipophilic materials within a surfactant-based cleanser. Evaluate its effect on clarity, viscosity and foam as part of the complete surfactant system.

Shampoo or Body Wash - Use as part of the solubilising system where fragrance or small amounts of oil-soluble material need to remain effectively distributed through the finished rinse-off product. Confirm the appropriate level through formulation and stability testing.

Water-Based Serum - Use where a predominantly aqueous serum contains a compatible lipophilic component that requires solubilising or dispersing support. Assess clarity, sensory feel and stability as the solubiliser-to-oil ratio is optimised.

Troubleshooting

Cloudiness or reduced clarity - Review the type and concentration of fragrance, essential oil or other lipophilic material being incorporated. The required solubiliser-to-oil ratio varies between materials, so adjust PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil experimentally and reassess clarity after the formulation has fully equilibrated.

Oil droplets or separation - May indicate insufficient solubilisation or an oil load beyond what the current system can accommodate. Review the total oil-soluble load, increase the solubiliser level where appropriate, and confirm stability through finished-product testing.

Excessive heaviness or altered skin feel - Higher solubiliser levels can influence the sensory character of the finished formulation. Optimise the ratio rather than automatically increasing PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil when greater clarity is required.

Changes in viscosity - PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil can interact with the wider formulation system, particularly in surfactant-containing products. If viscosity changes unexpectedly, assess the complete surfactant system, solubiliser level and oil load rather than PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil in isolation.

Reduced or changed foaming - In cleansing and shampoo systems, increasing the level of solubiliser or oil-soluble material may alter foam characteristics. Evaluate foam performance alongside the surfactant blend and adjust the overall system where required.

Instability developing over time - A formulation that appears clear and uniform immediately after manufacture may still change during storage. Assess samples over time and under appropriate stability conditions, particularly after changing fragrance, essential oil, oil load or solubiliser level.

SENSORY PROFILE

Skin Feel Generally unobtrusive at appropriately optimised use levels. At higher concentrations, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may contribute additional weight to the finished formulation depending on the overall system.

Tack Low to moderate depending on concentration and formulation composition. Higher use levels may become more noticeable in lightweight leave-on products.

Slip Provides some formulation slip but is not primarily selected as a sensory or slip-enhancing ingredient. Overall slip will depend more strongly on the complete formulation.

Finish Can be well suited to lightweight aqueous products when the solubiliser-to-oil ratio is properly optimised. Excessive solubiliser may make the finished product feel heavier than intended.

Formulation Impact

The sensory effect is formulation-dependent. PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil can influence clarity, viscosity, foam and overall feel depending on its concentration, the material being solubilised and the surrounding surfactant or aqueous system.

QUALITY & SOURCING

JNA’s PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is supplied as a cosmetic-grade material manufactured to a defined specification, rather than being sold simply under the ingredient name. A minimum active substance specification of ≥90%, together with controlled physicochemical parameters and documented conformity with the stated USP standard, provides formulators with meaningful criteria for assessing the quality and consistency of the material they are purchasing.

Supported Claims

JNA’s supplied grade is controlled against defined specifications for active substance content, acid value, hydroxyl value, saponification value and pH, rather than relying on appearance or ingredient identity alone. These parameters provide objective criteria for assessing whether incoming material conforms to the expected specification and help support greater raw-material consistency between batches.

Each supplied batch is supported by batch-specific analytical documentation, allowing the actual batch results to be assessed against the defined specification. This gives formulators and manufacturers a clearer quality trail when moving from initial development into repeat production.

COMPARISON & ALTERNATIVES

Polysorbate 20

A versatile non-ionic solubiliser particularly useful for incorporating small amounts of fragrance, essential oils and other suitable lipophilic materials into predominantly water-based formulations. Consider when working with lighter oil-soluble loads and straightforward aqueous solubilisation.

Polysorbate 80

Offers both solubilising and oil-in-water emulsifying functionality and can be useful where the formulation contains a more developed oil phase or requires broader emulsifying and dispersing support.

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

A PEG-free non-ionic option with solubilising and emulsifying functionality. Useful when developing formulations where PEG-free positioning is desired or where a polyglyceryl-based emulsifier/solubiliser better suits the formulation concept.

STORAGE & HANDLING

Storage Conditions

Store in a cool, dry place in a tightly sealed container, protected from direct light and heat. Keep away from ignition sources, oxidising materials and potential sources of contamination.

Handling Notes

Use clean, dry equipment when dispensing or transferring the material and keep the container tightly closed when not in use. Follow good industrial hygiene practices when handling the concentrated raw material and use appropriate eye protection in accordance with the applicable SDS.

Shelf Life / Retest Guidance

Shelf life is 2 years when stored under the recommended conditions. Refer to the expiry date shown on the product label and applicable batch documentation.

PRODUCT SAFETY

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is intended for use as a cosmetic formulation ingredient. Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and formulation practices. Avoid unnecessary direct contact with the concentrated raw material and follow the applicable SDS when handling.

Warnings & Precautions

For formulation use only. Not intended for direct application to skin in undiluted raw-material form. Avoid contact with eyes and prolonged or repeated contact with the concentrated material. Keep out of reach of children.

The formulator is responsible for assessing the safety, stability and suitability of the finished formulation for its intended application.

DOCUMENTATION

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Available for this ingredient

View SDS →

TDS / Specification Sheet Available for this ingredient

View document →

Batch-specific Certificate of Analysis documentation is maintained for the supplied material.

Formulator's Quick Guide

INCI PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

CAS 61788-85-0

Appearance Colourless to light yellow liquid

Solubility Water soluble

Phase Any Phase

Applications Serums, Toners & Essences, Facial Cleansers, Mists & Sprays, Body Washes, Hand Washes, Shampoos, Clear Aqueous Formulations, Surfactant Systems

Supports Emulsifying / solubilising

Why Formulators Choose This Ingredient

Effective Solubilising Performance

Helps incorporate fragrance, essential oils and other suitable lipophilic materials into water-containing formulations where effective distribution is required.

Ideal for Aqueous Systems

Particularly useful in toners, mists, serums and other water-dominant formulations where small amounts of oil-soluble material need to be incorporated.

Flexible Formulation Tool

Gives formulators the flexibility to optimise the solubiliser level around the specific oil-soluble material and the desired clarity, stability and performance of the finished formulation.

Versatile Across Surfactant Systems

Useful in cleansers, body washes, shampoos and other surfactant-based formulations where fragrance or compatible lipophilic ingredients need solubilising support.

Technical Documents

Technical documentation available for this ingredient.

SDS Safety Data Sheet → TDS Technical Data Sheet →

Batch-specific Certificate of Analysis documentation is maintained for the supplied material.

How much PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil do I need to solubilise a fragrance or essential oil?

Manufacturer guidance recommends PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil at 0.5–3.0%, with approximately 2–3 times the amount of the oil component being solubilised provided as a starting guide. The exact requirement will depend on the specific fragrance, essential oil or other lipophilic material, its concentration and the desired clarity and stability of the finished formulation. Treat the ratio as a starting point and optimise through formulation and stability testing.

Why is my formulation still cloudy after adding PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil?

Cloudiness can occur when the solubiliser level is insufficient for the particular oil-soluble load, but simply adding more PEG-40 HCO is not always the solution. The fragrance or oil composition, surrounding surfactants, electrolytes and other formulation components can all affect clarity. Assess the complete system and allow it to equilibrate before making further adjustments.

Should I premix PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil with fragrance or essential oil?

Pre-mixing PEG-40 HCO with the fragrance, essential oil or other compatible lipophilic material can help establish a more uniform concentrate before incorporation into the aqueous formulation. The most appropriate processing method should ultimately be confirmed through formulation trials for the specific system.

Can PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil affect the foam in a cleanser or shampoo?

Yes. Solubilisers and the oil-soluble materials they carry can influence foam behaviour in surfactant systems. If foam changes after PEG-40 HCO or fragrance is introduced, evaluate the solubiliser level, oil load and overall surfactant blend together rather than adjusting one ingredient in isolation.

Does a clear formulation immediately after mixing mean it is properly solubilised?

Not necessarily. Initial clarity does not establish long-term stability. A formulation may become cloudy, develop droplets or separate during storage or under changing temperature conditions. Finished formulations should undergo appropriate stability testing before the solubilisation system is considered optimised.

Can PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil be used in leave-on as well as rinse-off formulations?

PEG-40 HCO is used across both types of formulation, but suitability depends on the complete finished product, intended use and chosen concentration. The formulator remains responsible for establishing the appropriate use level and completing the necessary safety, stability and regulatory assessment.