A triester of sorbitan and oleic acid, used as an emulsifier.
What it is
Sorbitan trioleate is the triester of sorbitan (anhydrosorbitol, a dehydrated form of sorbitol) with oleic acid, an unsaturated C18 fatty acid. CosIng lists it as an emulsifying surfactant.
Where it is used
Appears on the ingredient lists of a small number of products, such as creams and makeup.
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 sorbitan esters are mixtures of esters; 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.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.