PEG-40 Sorbitan Laurate
AKA “Polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, PEG sorbitan laurate”
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Peg-40 sorbitan laurate
AKA: Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 40, PEG sorbitan laurate
Surfactant · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Sorbitan, monododecanoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs. (40 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
Antioxidant Protection
Wound Healing
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a synthetic emulsifier combining sorbitan with polyethylene glycol and lauric acid. Created to provide reliable oil-water emulsification in cosmetic and personal care products.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
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-40 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)
Polysorbate 40
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Oleth 2 Polysorbate 20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Polysorbate 20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Polysorbate 40
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR