PEG-7 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Pharcos HCO 7
Also known as: Polyoxyethylene 7 Hydrogenated Castor Oil | Hydrogenated Castor Oil Ethoxylate 7
Pharcos HCO 7 is a distinctly hydrophobic (low HLB) emulsifier. Unlike the highly ethoxylated 40/60 variants used for solubilizing oils into water, HCO 7 is used to permanently suspend water droplets inside a continuous oil phase (W/O emulsions). It is vital in formulating rich, occlusive night creams, enhancing the mold-release properties of lipsticks, and deeply softening industrial leather (fatliquoring).
Quick Information
- Product Line:
- Personal Care
- Category:
- Emulsifiers
- Grade:
- Liquid
- CAS Number:
- 61788-85-0
Key Applications
- W/O Cosmetic Creams
- Lipstick Molding
- Leather Fatliquoring
- Waterproofing Agents
How It Works
Possessing only 7 moles of ethylene oxide, the massive triricinolein core of the hydrogenated castor oil is the dominant physical feature, yielding an HLB of roughly 5.0.
In W/O emulsions, the bulky, saturated hydrocarbon tails of the HCO 7 anchor deeply into the continuous lipid/oil phase. The very short PEG chains point inward, surrounding the dispersed water droplets. The sheer steric bulk of the saturated hydrogenated castor backbone prevents the microscopic water droplets from coalescing, forcing the formulation into a stable, highly occlusive cream that fiercely prevents trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) when applied to the skin.
Technical Information
Common questions about PEG-7 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
No. Because of its extremely low HLB (~5.0), it is insoluble in water. It will simply float on top or form a hazy, unstable mess. You must use HCO 40 or CE 40 for water solubilization.
Hydrogenating the double bonds makes the oil infinitely more resistant to rancidity (oxidation) and removes the characteristic castor odor, extending the shelf-life of the final cosmetic cream dramatically.
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