Is PEG-7 Ricinoleate natural? NOI 0.46

Q: Is PEG-7 Ricinoleate natural?

PEG-7 Ricinoleate has a Natural Origin Index (NOI) of 0.46 (scale 0–1) per ISO 16128. Polyethylene glycol ester of ricinoleic acid. The fatty-acid chain is natural; the 7-unit ethylene-oxide chain is petrochemical. An NOI of 0.46 means 46% of its molecular mass is traceable to a natural, renewable source.

How we scored it

PEG-7 Ricinoleate: ricinoleoyl fragment C18H33O2 281.5 Da (natural) of ricinoleic acid 298.5 Da + 7 EO 308.4 Da = 606.8 Da → 0.46. The ester oxygen and chain-end hydrogen go with the PEG chain, as for PEG-8 Laurate.

What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Castor-oil ricinoleic acid esterified or ethoxylated with about 7 mol of ethylene oxide.

In plain English

A castor-oil fatty acid modified with ethylene oxide to make it water-dispersible; used as an emulsifier in cosmetic formulas.

CosIng definition: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(12-hydroxy-1-oxo-9-octadecenyl)-.omega.-hydroxy-, [R-(Z)]- (7 mol EO average molar ratio)

Natural alternatives with the same function

Arachidic Acid 100% natural origin

A waxy fatty acid from peanut and other vegetable oils, used to thicken formulas and give creams and…

Arachidyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

A gentle, sugar-based emulsifier used in creams and lotions to stabilize formulas without harsh surfactants. It's made from…

Behenic Acid 100% natural origin

A long-chain fatty acid from vegetable oil, used to thicken and stabilise creams and conditioners. It is extracted…

C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

A mild, sugar-based cleansing and emulsifying surfactant made by combining plant-derived fatty alcohols (coconut/palm) with glucose from starch.…

C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

A mild, sugar-based cleansing ingredient made from coconut or palm fatty alcohols and glucose; helps cleanse skin and…

C18-36 Acid 100% natural origin

A blend of long-chain plant fatty acids used as a mild cleanser and thickener, giving body and a…

References

1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
2PEG-7 RICINOLEATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
3PEG-7 RICINOLEATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PEG-7%20RICINOLEATE