Helps blend oil and water-based ingredients together, creating a smooth, stable texture in creams and lotions.
Solubility SOL IN MOST MINERAL & VEGETABLE OILS; INSOL IN ACETONE; SLIGHTLY SOL IN ETHER; DISPERSIBLE IN WATER
Formula
C24H44O6
Mol. Weight
428.60
CAS #
1338-43-8
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Emulsifier
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a synthetic emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid. Designed to replace traditional soap-based emulsifiers and provide more stable oil-in-water emulsions in cosmetics.