INCI name

POLYSORBATE 20

Polysorbate 20

Surfactant – emulsifying Surfactant – cleansingreviewed

An emulsifier and solubiliser.

What it is

Polysorbate 20 is a surfactant made from sorbitol, lauric acid and ethylene oxide. It helps small amounts of oil or fragrance dissolve in water-based products.

Where it is used

Found in toners, mists, gels and micellar waters.

Limits of interpretation

The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.

It is usually present at low levels as a formulation aid.

Functions

Surfactant – emulsifying: Helping suspensions or dispersions of liquids in a second liquid by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.
Surfactant – cleansing: Wetting body surfaces, emulsifying or solubilizing oils, and suspending soil (generally, such ingredients contribute to the foaming and lathering properties of cleansing products).

EU regulation

This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.

Products with this ingredient (1127)

Check a full ingredient list