PEG-10 Sorbitan Laurate
AKA “Polysorbate 20, Tween 20”
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Peg-10 sorbitan laurate
AKA: Polysorbate 20, Tween 20
Surfactant · Cleansing · EWG: 3
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Sorbitan, monododecanoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs. (10 mol EO average molar ratio)
CAS #
9005-64-5
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
A synthetic emulsifier created through the polyethylene glycol modification of sorbitan esters in mid-20th century cosmetic chemistry. Developed to replace traditional soap-based emulsifiers with more stable, mild alternatives.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
3
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Agencies
Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone/Polysorbate 20 Crosspolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PEG-10 Sorbitan Laurate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PEG-8 Dimethicone/Polysorbate 20 Crosspolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Polysorbate 20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Oleth 2 Polysorbate 20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
PEG-10 Sorbitan Laurate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Polysorbate 20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Physicochemical characterization of sodium stearoyl lactylate (SSL), polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20) and κ-carrageenan.
Ortiz-Tafoya MC, Tecante A
Data in brief, 2018
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR