PEG-40 Sorbitan Oleate
AKA “Polysorbate 80, PEG sorbitan oleate”
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Peg-40 sorbitan oleate
AKA: Polysorbate 80, PEG sorbitan oleate
Surfactant · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Sorbitan, mono-9-octadecenoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs., (Z)- (40 mol EO average molar ratio)
CAS #
9005-65-6
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.
Removes Impurities
Emulsifier
Antioxidant Protection
Wound Healing
Removes dirt and impurities
Mixes oil and water
Traditional Use
A synthetic emulsifier developed in the mid-20th century combining sorbitan with polyethylene glycol and oleic acid. Designed to improve the stability and texture of water-in-oil and oil-in-water cosmetic formulations.
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
PEG-40 Sorbitan Oleate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Polysorbate 80
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
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