An ethoxylated sorbitan trioleate used as an emulsifier and cleansing agent.
What it is
Polysorbate 85 is a polyethylene glycol derivative of sorbitan trioleate, with an average of 20 ethylene oxide units; the number 85 is part of the name and does not indicate the degree of ethoxylation. CosIng lists it as an emulsifying and cleansing surfactant.
Where it is used
Found in cleansing oils, makeup removers and other products.
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.
Commercial polysorbates are mixtures of molecules; the label does not show the exact composition.
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.