PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil molecular structure

0-6 month old newbornsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to use Peg 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil?

⚠️
USE WITH CAUTION
Danger Score: 5 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Peg 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil use with caution for 0-6 month old babies when used in topical products. Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

ℹ️General Overview

For infants (0–6 months): this ingredient is usually used to help oils mix into lotions and wipes. It is not known to be highly toxic, but small amounts of unwanted contaminants have been found in similar ingredients, and newborn skin is extra sensitive. Because of this, it is better to be cautious with products that contain it.

What to Do

Choose products made for newborns that list simpler ingredient sets or that explicitly say they are free of certain contaminants. Avoid using leave-on lotions with this ingredient on infants under 6 months when possible. If you must use a product with it, do a small patch test on the baby’s inner forearm and wait 24 hours for any reaction. Avoid putting it on broken, sore, or inflamed skin. If irritation or a rash appears, stop use and talk to your pediatrician.

⚠️Warnings

Testing and safety reviews have flagged possible contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane in this group of ingredients, and some product safety programs restrict its use unless manufacturers show it is free of those impurities. Also watch for redness, rash, or stinging on baby’s skin — those are signs to stop use. Do not apply to newborns with very sensitive or compromised skin without checking with your pediatrician first.

Confidence: MEDIUM

Are you holding the product?

Scan the full ingredient label and understand if it's safe for your child.

Scan the full label for free
Get instant analysis of all ingredients together

Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: This ingredient can carry contamination by ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. International health agencies list those contaminants as cancer hazards, so their presence raises a real cancer concern if they are in the final product.
Absorbed: PEG‑style, ethoxylated ingredients are applied to skin. If they contain small contamination molecules, those contaminants can move through skin and into the body when used topically.
Long-Term Risk: Independent safety reviewers note gaps and limits in how industry safety panels assess this ingredient and set safe concentration levels. That uncertainty about low-level contamination and repeated use means there is a possible long-term risk with ongoing exposure.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

This ingredient may also be listed as:

peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilpeg-40 hydrogenated castorPEG 40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPOLYOXYETHYLENE (40) HYDROGENATED CASTOR OILHYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, ETHOXYLATEDHYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL ETHOXYLATEARLATONE GCASTOR OIL, HYDROGENATED, ETHOXYLATEDCREMOPHOR RHNIKKOL HCOPEG HYDROGENATED CASTOR OILPOLYETHYLENE GLYCOL HYDROGENATED CASTOR OILPOLYOXYETHYLENE HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil or its alternative names.

Common Questions About PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Is this ingredient safe for newborns to use PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil?

Use caution with PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil for 0-6 month old babies. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the cancer risks of PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil for newborns?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the absorbed risks of PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil for newborns?

Can be absorbed through the skin and get into the bloodstream. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the long-term risk risks of PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil for newborns?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What products contain PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil?

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can infants start using products with PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 0-6 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

📱

Want to scan another product?

Use our camera scanner to analyze more ingredient labels

Scan Another Product