PEG-3 Sorbitan Oleate
AKA “Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Monooleate Ethoxylate”
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Peg-3 sorbitan oleate
AKA: Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Monooleate Ethoxylate
Surfactant · Emulsifying · EWG: 3
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Sorbitan, mono-9-octadecenoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs., (Z)- (3 mol EO average molar ratio)
CAS #
9005-65-6
See origin →
Functions
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Emulsifier
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
A synthetic emulsifier based on polyethylene glycol and sorbitan, developed in the 20th century. Designed to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions in light, non-greasy cosmetic formulations.
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
PEG-3 Sorbitan Oleate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Polysorbate 80
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PEG-3 Sorbitan Oleate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Polysorbate 80
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Preliminary 1 month stability screening of cosmetic multiple emulsions (W/O/W) prepared using cetyl dimethicone copolyol and Polysorbate 80.
Khan H, Akhtar N, Mahmood T, Jameel A, Mohsin S
International journal of cosmetic science, 2015
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR