What Is Ricinon?

Learn about the surfactant cleansing and surfactant emulsifying characteristics of Ricinon and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Ricinon? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Ricinon?

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1,2-Ethanediol monoricinoleate is a type of liquid substance that is commonly used in cosmetics as a surfactant, which means it helps to cleanse and remove dirt and oil from the skin. It can also be used as a food additive. This substance may also be referred to by other names such as avlinox, ethylene glycol monoricinoleate, glycol monoester ricinoleate, or glycol ricinoleate.

What is the purpose of Ricinon in personal care products? It is used for its surfactant cleansing and surfactant emulsifying characteristics. Ricinon helps clean body surfaces and helps mix liquids that don't usually mix.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Ricinon, Estax 54, Zenicone XX, Remcopal R 33, Disperbyk 192, Geopon SF 365, Polyethylene glycol monoricinolate, Ricinoleate, Polyethylene glycol ester with ricinoleic acid, α-(Ricinoleoyl)-ω-hydroxypoly(oxyethylene), 1,2-Ethanediol monoricinoleate, and POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL)-α-(12-HYDROXY-1-OXO-9-OCTADECENYL-ω-HYDROXY (R,Z).

What Are Surfactant Cleansing Ingredients?

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Ricinon has surfactant cleansing characteristics.

Surfactant cleansing ingredients are commonly found in various cosmetics, particularly those designed for cleansing, such as shampoo, body wash, and facial cleansers. These ingredients serve several purposes, including wetting body surfaces, emulsifying or dissolving oils, and suspending dirt and grime, making them easier to remove. Surfactants generally contribute to the foaming and lathering properties of cleansing products, making them more effective in removing impurities from the skin or hair.

What Are Surfactant Emulsifying Ingredients?

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Ricinon has surfactant emulsifying characteristics.

Surfactant emulsifying ingredients helps mix two liquids that do not usually mix well by reducing the surface tension of the ingredients. The emulsification process involves suspending or dispersing one liquid in a second liquid, such as oil in water or vice versa. However, these two liquids have different properties that cause them to repel each other and not mix. This is where surfactants come in, as they can reduce the liquids' surface tension and allow them to mix.

Surfactants have two ends: a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail. When added to two liquids that do not mix well, the hydrophilic head attaches to the water-based liquid, while the hydrophobic tail attaches to the oil-based liquid. This creates a stable mixture of the two liquids and allows for a smooth and even distribution of ingredients in the cosmetic product.

Safety

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Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.