Sorbitan Cocoate
AKA “Span 43, Coconut Oil Sorbitan Ester
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Sorbitan cocoate
AKA: Span 43, Coconut Oil Sorbitan Ester
Surfactant · Emulsifying · EWG: 3
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Fatty acids, coco, monoesters with sorbitan
CAS #
68154-36-9
See origin →
Functions
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Surfactant Emulsifying
Improves Elasticity
Moisturizing
Boosts Collagen
Mixes oil and water
Traditional Use
Synthetic emulsifier developed in the mid-20th century as part of the sorbitan ester family. Designed to emulsify and stabilize cosmetic formulations using sorbitol combined with coconut oil-derived fatty acids.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Allergen Warning
⚠️ Tree Nut (Coconut)
EWG
3
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate; PEG-40 Sorbitan Diisostearate; PEG-2, -5, and -20 Sorbitan Isostearate; PEG-40 and -75 Sorbitan Lanolate; PEG-10, -40, -44, -75, and -
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sorbitan Caprylate, Sorbitan Cocoate, Sorbitan Diisostearate, Sorbitan Dioleate, Sorbitan Distearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sorbitan Sesquiis
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sorbitan Cocoate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Sorbitan Cocoate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan cocoate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan distearate, sorbita
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR