Baby Safety / Compounds / PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil

Is PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil safe for babies and kids?

Elevated risk for kids

Infants are exposed to PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.

What is peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil?

The IUPAC name is polyethylene glycol 40 hydrogenated castor oil.

Also known as: polyethylene glycol 40 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-40 HCO, Cremophor RH40, KMIPKYQIOVAHOP-LRHAYUFXSA-N.

IUPAC name: polyethylene glycol 40 hydrogenated castor oil
CAS number: 61788-85-0
Molecular formula: (C2H4O)40-C16H32O5 (approximate)

Risk for babies

Elevated risk

Infants are exposed to PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Prenatal exposure to PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil through consumer products may affect fetal development. Surfactant compounds can enhance dermal absorption of co-occurring chemicals during pregnancy.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil.

Agency	Year	Classification	Notes
EU_CLP	—	Not classified	Approved for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil

creams
lotions
serums
pharmaceutical formulations

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil:

Decyl glucoside or other alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) — milder, plant-derived
Trade-offs: Consumer preference for 'natural' label; many natural fragrance compounds are potent allergens (limonene, linalool, eugenol); 'natural' ≠ 'safe'; often more expensive than synthetic equivalents.

Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
Sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) — low irritation potential
Trade-offs: Alternative surfactant; performance characteristics (foaming, emulsification, wetting) vary; biodegradability and aquatic toxicity should be assessed; formulation adjustment may be needed.

Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Sodium lauroyl glutamate — amino acid-based, very mild
Trade-offs: Extremely mild (pH 5.5-6.5); biodegradable; derived from amino acids and fatty acids; premium ingredient cost; excellent consumer perception; lower foam volume than sulfate surfactants.

Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Cocamidopropyl betaine (amphoteric) — gentler than anionic surfactants
Trade-offs: Removes 95-99% of dissolved contaminants including metals, PFAS, nitrates; wastes 2-4 gallons per gallon produced (improving with newer systems); removes beneficial minerals; $0.05-0.25/gallon; requires pre-treatment for longevity.

Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil safe for kids?

Infants are exposed to PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.

What products contain peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil?

PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil appears in: creams; lotions; serums.

What should I do if my child is exposed to peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil in the baby app

Look up products containing peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (2)

PubChem Compound CID 71311 — database
ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 61788-85-0 — reference

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →