CASTOR OIL, ETHOXYLATED

Castor oil, ethoxylated is a nonionic surfactant derived from castor oil, widely used in various industries for its emulsifying, solubilizing, and dispersing properties. 
Castor oil, ethoxylated is particularly effective in personal care products, detergents, and industrial applications due to its ability to enhance the stability and performance of formulations.
Castor oil, ethoxylated is a modified natural oil (nonionic surfactant) produced by reacting castor oil with ethylene oxide, widely used as an emulsifier, solubilizer, and dispersing agent in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations.

CAS Number: 61791-12-6
EINECS Number: 500-151-7

Synonyms: Castor oil, ethoxylated, RefChem:13691, 500-151-7, polyoxyethylene castor oil;POLYOXYETHYLENE(10) CASTOR OIL;POLYETHYLENEGLYCOL CASTOR OIL;Castoroil,ethyleneglycolpolymer;Castoroil,ethyleneoxidereactionproduct;Castoroil,polyethoxylated;castoroilpolyoxyethyleneether;polyethoxylatedcastoroil

Castor oil, ethoxylated is often referred to as PEG castor oil derivatives (e.g., PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil).
Castor oil, ethoxylated belongs to the class of ethoxylated fatty compounds.
Chemically, ethoxylated castor oil consists of castor oil triglycerides modified with poly(ethylene oxide) chains.

The hydrophobic fatty acid chains remain from castor oil.
The ethoxylate chains introduce hydrophilic properties.
Physically, it appears as a clear to pale yellow viscous liquid or semi-solid, depending on the degree of ethoxylation.

Castor oil, ethoxylated is soluble or dispersible in water.
It has a mild characteristic odor.
The compound exhibits nonionic surfactant behavior.

Castor oil, ethoxylated reduces surface tension and forms micelles in aqueous systems.
This allows it to solubilize oils and hydrophobic substances.
Ethoxylated castor oil functions as an emulsifier, helping to mix oil and water phases.

Castor oil, ethoxylated stabilizes emulsions and prevents phase separation.
This improves formulation consistency.
Castor oil, ethoxylated also acts as a solubilizing agent for fragrances, essential oils, and active ingredients.

It helps disperse otherwise insoluble components in water-based systems.
This is widely used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Castor oil, ethoxylated is generally stable under normal conditions, but performance depends on the degree of ethoxylation.

Different grades provide different hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB).
This allows tailored formulation properties.
Castor oil, ethoxylated is best described as a nonionic surfactant derived from castor oil, used for emulsification, solubilization, and dispersion, especially in personal-care, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations.

Ethoxylated castor oil shows excellent solubilization efficiency for hydrophobic actives, even at relatively low concentrations.
It can incorporate essential oils, fragrances, and lipophilic vitamins into aqueous systems.
This is especially useful in clear solutions and serums.

Castor oil, ethoxylated can form stable microemulsions or nanoemulsions under appropriate conditions.
These systems improve the delivery and stability of active ingredients.
This is important in advanced cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.

Ethoxylated castor oil contributes to improved wetting of solid surfaces.
It helps liquids spread more easily over powders or substrates.
This enhances dispersion and processing.

Castor oil, ethoxylated is often used as a co-emulsifier alongside primary emulsifiers.
It supports emulsion stability and reduces phase separation.
This improves long-term formulation performance.

The material exhibits good compatibility with electrolytes and a wide pH range.
Unlike ionic surfactants, it is less sensitive to salts.
This makes it suitable for complex formulations.

Ethoxylated castor oil can influence viscosity and rheology depending on concentration and system composition.
Castor oil, ethoxylated may slightly thicken or stabilize formulations.
This supports texture control.

Boiling point: 232.6℃ [at 101 325 Pa]
Density: 1.05 g/mL at 20 °C
vapor pressure: 0 Pa at 25℃
Flash point: 257℃
storage temp.: REFRIGERATOR (+4C)
solubility: Chloroform (Slightly), Ethyl Acetate (Slightly), Methanol (Slightly)
form: Viscous Liquid
pKa: 0 [at 20 ℃]
color: Clear yellow
Odor: at 100.00%, bland
pH: 5.0–7.0 (1 g/10 mL in H2O)
Viscosity: 600–750 mPa·s (25°C)
Water Solubility: 24.11 mg/L at 25℃
Stability: Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions: SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT; SURFACTANT - CLEANSING; SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR): Cremophor EL (61791-12-6)
InChI: 1S/C4H7Cl2NO2/c5-1-3(2-6)9-4(7)8/h3H,1-2H2,(H2,7,8)
InChIKey: JMNCUXPHXKHBPY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES: ClCC(OC(=O)N)CCl
LogP: 4.297 at 25℃

Ethoxylated castor oil is produced by adding ethylene oxide units to the hydroxyl groups of castor oil, particularly ricinoleic acid residues.
This reaction forms poly(ethylene glycol) chains attached to the triglyceride structure.
The number of ethylene oxide units determines its properties.

Ethoxylated castor oil exhibits a hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) that can be adjusted by the degree of ethoxylation.
Higher ethoxylation increases water solubility.
Lower ethoxylation retains more oil-like character.

Ethoxylated castor oil forms micelles in aqueous systems, allowing it to encapsulate hydrophobic molecules.
This enables effective solubilization of oils and active ingredients.
Ethoxylated castor oil is widely used in clear formulations.

The presence of poly(ethylene oxide) chains provides good compatibility with water and polar solvents.
Ethoxylated castor oil can also interact with nonpolar substances through its fatty chains.
This dual compatibility makes it highly versatile.

Ethoxylated castor oil contributes to improved formulation clarity and stability.
Ethoxylated castor oil helps maintain uniform distribution of ingredients over time.
This is important in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

Ethoxylated castor oil is often used in low-foam or moderate-foam systems, depending on structure.
Ethoxylated castor oil provides gentle surfactant action.
This is suitable for sensitive formulations.

Ethoxylated castor oil can act as a dispersing agent for pigments and actives, improving their uniform distribution.
This enhances product performance.
It is used in both liquid and semi-solid systems.

The material is generally considered mild and nonionic, meaning it is less affected by pH and electrolytes.
Ethoxylated castor oil remains stable across a wide pH range.
This simplifies formulation design.

Ethoxylated castor oilis a flexible, nonionic surfactant with tunable properties, capable of emulsifying, solubilizing, and stabilizing complex systems, widely used in modern formulations.
Ethoxylated castor oil is often selected for mildness and low irritation potential, especially in personal-care products.
It provides effective surfactant action without harshness.

This makes it suitable for sensitive applications.
Because it is derived from natural castor oil but chemically modified, it is considered a semi-synthetic ingredient.
Its performance bridges natural and synthetic surfactants.

This is valuable in formulation design.
Ethoxylated castor oil is a highly adaptable nonionic surfactant that enhances solubilization, emulsion stability, wetting, and formulation performance, particularly in advanced cosmetic and pharmaceutical systems.

Ethoxylated castor oil is a nonionic solubilizer and emulsifier made by reacting castor oil with ethylene oxide. 
Ethoxylated castor oil is a pale yellow oily liquid that is clear at temperatures above 26°C. 
It has a faint but characteristic odour.

Uses Of Ethoxylated castor oil:
Ethoxylated castor oil is a triglyceride fatty acid which has the potential to repel insects and promote plant growth.
Ethoxylated castor oil has been used as a detergent to improve the solubility of dye and to increase the transmembrane permeation. 
It has been used as a vehicle for drug/stimulant delivery in cells.

Ethoxylated castor oil is widely used as a solubilizing agent in cosmetic and personal-care products.
Ethoxylated castor oil helps dissolve fragrances, essential oils, and lipophilic actives in water-based formulations.
This allows clear and stable products such as toners and serums.

In creams, lotions, and emulsions, it functions as an emulsifier or co-emulsifier.
Ethoxylated castor oil stabilizes oil–water mixtures and prevents phase separation.
This improves product consistency and shelf life.

Ethoxylated castor oil is used in pharmaceutical formulations to solubilize poorly water-soluble drugs.
Ethoxylated castor oil enhances bioavailability and stability of active ingredients.
This supports effective drug delivery.

In hair-care products, such as shampoos and conditioners, it acts as a surfactant and conditioning agent.
Ethoxylated castor oil improves dispersion of oils and actives.
This enhances product performance.

Ethoxylated castor oil is applied in perfume and fragrance formulations to solubilize aromatic compounds.
It ensures uniform distribution in aqueous bases.
This improves clarity and stability.

In cleaning and detergent formulations, it functions as a wetting and dispersing agent.
Ethoxylated castor oil helps remove oils and contaminants from surfaces.
This supports cleaning efficiency.

Ethoxylated castor oil is used in agrochemical formulations, such as pesticides and herbicides, as an emulsifier.
It helps disperse active ingredients in spray solutions.
This improves application effectiveness.

In textile processing, it acts as a wetting and dispersing agent.
It improves penetration of dyes and chemicals into fibers.
This enhances processing efficiency.

It is also used in industrial formulations, including coatings and inks, to disperse pigments and stabilize systems.
It helps maintain uniform distribution.
Ethoxylated castor oil is used wherever solubilization, emulsification, dispersion, and stabilization of hydrophobic substances in aqueous systems are required across cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications.

Ethoxylated castor oil is used in micellar water and cleansing solutions to solubilize oils and impurities.
It helps remove makeup and dirt without harsh surfactants.
This supports gentle skin cleansing.

In serums and ampoules, it is used to incorporate oil-soluble vitamins such as vitamin E or vitamin A.
Ethoxylated castor oil ensures uniform distribution in water-based systems.
This improves product efficacy and stability.

Ethoxylated castor oil is applied in sunscreen formulations as a solubilizer for UV filters.
It helps disperse both organic and oil-soluble filters.
This enhances formulation uniformity and performance.

In ophthalmic and pharmaceutical solutions, certain grades are used to solubilize active ingredients.
Ethoxylated castor oil helps maintain clarity and stability of solutions.
This supports safe and effective delivery.

Ethoxylated castor oil is used in essential oil-based products, such as aromatherapy sprays and solutions.
It enables dispersion of essential oils in water.
This improves usability and consistency.

In lubricant and metalworking fluids, it acts as an emulsifier for oil-in-water systems.
Ethoxylated castor oil helps maintain stable emulsions under processing conditions.
This supports industrial performance.

Ethoxylated castor oil is applied in printing inks and coatings as a dispersant and wetting agent.
It helps distribute pigments evenly.
This improves color quality and stability.

In agricultural sprays, it enhances spreading and penetration of active ingredients on plant surfaces.
It improves coverage and absorption.
This increases treatment efficiency.

Ethoxylated castor oil is also used in biotechnology and laboratory applications for solubilizing biomolecules or reagents.
It supports stable experimental systems.
Ethoxylated castor oil is used wherever efficient solubilization, gentle surfactant action, and stable dispersion of hydrophobic ingredients are required, especially in advanced cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations.

Safety Profile Of Ethoxylated castor oil:
Ethoxylated castor oil is generally considered to have low to moderate hazard potential, but safety depends on purity, degree of ethoxylation, and possible impurities.
Ethoxylated castor oil is widely used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals with good tolerance.
However, standard precautions should be followed.

Skin contact is usually well tolerated, but in some cases mild irritation or sensitization may occur.
This is more likely with high concentrations or prolonged exposure.
Protective gloves are recommended during bulk handling.

Eye contact may cause mild to moderate irritation.
Symptoms can include redness, tearing, and discomfort.
Eyes should be rinsed thoroughly with water if exposure occurs.

Inhalation risk is generally low, as the material is typically a viscous liquid.
However, aerosols or mists in industrial settings may irritate the respiratory tract.
Adequate ventilation should be maintained.

Ingestion is considered low toxicity, but large amounts may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Ethoxylated castor oil is not intended for oral use unless specifically approved for pharmaceutical applications.
Medical advice should be sought if necessary.

Ethoxylated castor oil is not highly flammable, but it can burn under strong heat.
Thermal decomposition may produce carbon oxides and other organic fumes.
Standard fire safety measures should be followed.