Ethoxylated sorbitan monooleate is the chemical name for a chemical known in the INCI nomenclature as Polysorbate 80. Its CAS number is 9005-65-6. In industry, it is used mainly due to its emulsifying properties. In addition, it acts as a wetting agent or formulation stabilizer. Mainly used in the cosmetics, textile industry and mining industry.
Ethoxylated sorbitan monooleate is a hydrophilic, nonionic surfactant.Polysorbate 80 is a thick yellow liquid.It is characterized by high viscosity.It is very soluble in water, lower aliphatic alcohols and benzene, while it is poorly soluble in fats.It is biodegradable in the natural environment.
Polysorbate 80is produced by the ethoxylation of a molecule called sorbitan.Sorbitan is the dehydrated form of sorbitol, a sugar alcohol naturally found in some fruits.Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction that adds ethylene oxide to a substrate, in this case sorbitan.Sorbitan reacts with 80 ethylene oxide units, which hence “80” in the ingredient’s name.
Polysorbate 80 may be of plant or animal origin.Fatty acids directly involved in its production are obtained, for example, from olive oil or are derived from animal products.
Polysorbate 80 is a skin care ingredient used in cosmetics and personal care products to improve their texture.It gives the cosmetics an appropriate, fluffy consistency.While the texture of the product is primarily sensory, it is also important that it spreads easily, delivering the key ingredients evenly across the skin.Polysorbate 80 effectively supports the stability of creams, lotions and gels, especially those that are cold processed, stimulating oils and water to bind easily.It is used as a surfactant, emulsifier and solvent, helping to create smooth, easy-to-apply skin and body care products.As an emulsifier, it helps to mix ingredients and prevent them from separating.Its solubilizing properties are used in cosmetic preparations.As a surfactant, it increases the solubility of one substance in another.A substance which would not normally be dissolved in a given solution can be dissolved in the presence of Polysorbate 80.Thanks to this, it becomes effective, for example, to wash off impurities from the skin surface with the use of face washing gels containing ethoxylated sorbitan monooleate.
Functions of Polysorbate 80 in cosmetic products:
Products including Polysorbate 80 are: shampoos, shower gels, moisturizing creams, face cleansing products, after sun creams, body lotions, foot creams, cleansing milks, liquid soaps, face creams etc.
In addition to cosmetic use, Polysorbate 80 is an excipient used to stabilize aqueous forms of medicinal products, for parenteral administration or for vaccination. It helps to inhibit surface damage to a particle that is exposed to mechanical stress during transport and handling. Polysorbate 80 is also one of the most common surfactants currently used in the formulation of protein-based biopharmaceuticals.
It is used as an emulsifier for pesticide formulations, mainly for EC, SL, EW, ME, WP, WG formulations.
It is found in emulsion explosives as an emulsifier.
The textile industry uses Polysorbate 80 to soften the fibers and improve the efficiency and productivity of the dyeing process.
Polysorbate 80 is a safe ingredient in cosmetic formulations and other applications. Its harmfulness has not been confirmed when used as intended and for a specific purpose. It is not a potential allergen. It has no side effects and does not irritate the skin. However, there is a risk of releasing dioxane – dioxane is a toxic compound. It is not recommended to use preparations containing Polysorbate 80 by pregnant women and breastfeeding women. It is also not added to child care products.
