Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester
A cosmetic ingredient used as surfactant - cleansing, surfactant - emulsifying in skincare, haircare, and personal-care products sold in the European Union.
What is it?
See Regulatory and Ingredient Use Information regarding use of Japan Trivial names in Volume 1, Introduction, Part A, No. 12.
What does it do?
Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:
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Surfactant - cleansing
surfactant whose primary cosmetic role is cleansing — the active workhorse in soaps, shampoos, and body washes
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Surfactant - emulsifying
surfactant that forms and stabilises emulsions of oil and water — without it, creams and lotions would separate
EU regulatory status
Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the European Union under Regulation 1223/2009. It is not subject to a specific Annex restriction at the time of writing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester?
Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. See Regulatory and Ingredient Use Information regarding use of Japan Trivial names in Volume 1, Introduction, Part A, No. 12.
Is Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester allowed in cosmetics in the EU?
Yes. Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the EU under Regulation 1223/2009.
What does Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester do in cosmetic products?
Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: surfactant - cleansing, surfactant - emulsifying.
Related ingredients
Source: EU CosIng database (European Commission). This page is derived from public-sector information published by the European Commission. · Last updated: 16/11/2016