Polysorbate 20

INCI Name: Polysorbate 20
Molecular Formula: C₅₈H₁₁₄O₂₆
Alternative Names: Tween 20, Sorbitan Monolaurate, PEG-20 Sorbitan Laurate
Country of Origin: India (may also be sourced from other countries)

Description

Polysorbate 20 is a clear, slightly yellow liquid that comes from natural sorbitol and fatty acids. It helps to mix oil and water in cosmetic products. It is very gentle and often used in baby shampoos, facial cleansers, and sprays. Because of its mild nature, it does not irritate the skin and is safe to use on all skin types.

Benefits and Uses

• Helps to mix water and oil in lotions, creams, and sprays.
• Used in facial mists to help essential oils blend with water.
• Makes shampoos and body washes feel smooth and soft on the skin.
• Very gentle, so it is great for baby care and sensitive skin products.
• Acts as a mild cleanser and helps remove dirt from the skin.
• Used in perfumes and room sprays to mix fragrance oils with water.

Concentration and Solubility

• Usually used at 0.5% to 5% in cosmetics, depending on the formula.
• It is fully soluble in water and also mixes well with alcohol and oils.

How to Use

• Add it to the water phase of your formulation and mix well before adding oils.
• No heating is needed. Just stir it until it’s fully mixed into the product.