PEG 20 SORBITAN MONOLAURATE

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is a nonionic surfactant and solubilizer formed by ethoxylating sorbitan monolaurate, and PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is widely used to emulsify oils, solubilize fragrances, and improve clarity in personal care, pharmaceutical, and food-related formulations where permitted.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is commonly known as Polysorbate 20, and PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is valued for mildness, high HLB behavior, and strong ability to create and stabilize oil-in-water emulsions.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is frequently selected for clear systems because PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate can keep small amounts of essential oils and perfume oils dispersed without haze when properly balanced with solvents and ionic strength.

CAS Number: 9005-64-5
EC Number: 500-018-3
Molecular Formula: Variable (ethoxylated sorbitan ester mixture)
Molecular Weight: Variable (average depends on ethoxylation degree)

Synonyms: PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate, Polysorbate 20, Tween 20 (common name), Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monolaurate, Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitan Monolaurate Ethoxylate (20 EO), Polysorbate-20, PEG-20 Sorbitan Laurate, Nonionic Solubilizer Polysorbate 20, Emulsifier Polysorbate 20, PEG 20 Sorbitan Laurate, Polysorbate 20 Solubilizer, PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate, PEG-20 Sorbitan Monolaurate, PEG 20 sorbitan monolaurate, PEG-20 sorbitan monolaurate, Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monolaurate, Polyoxyethylene(20) Sorbitan Monolaurate, Poly(oxyethylene) (20) sorbitan monolaurate, Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monolaurate (20), Sorbitan Monolaurate Ethoxylated (20), Ethoxylated Sorbitan Monolaurate (20 EO), Sorbitan Monolaurate 20EO, Sorbitan Monolaurate + 20 EO, Sorbitan Monolaurate PEG-20, PEG(20) Sorbitan Monolaurate, PEG(20) Sorbitan Laurate, PEG 20 Sorbitan Laurate (common shortening), Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate-20, POLYSORBATE 20, Tween 20, Tween-20, TWEEN 20, Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Laurate, Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Laurate (20), Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monolaurate (Polysorbate 20), Sorbitan Laurate Ethoxylate (20), Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Laurate (Tween 20), Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monolaurate (Tween 20), Tween 20 Surfactant, Polysorbate 20 Surfactant, Nonionic Surfactant (Polysorbate 20), Nonionic Emulsifier (Polysorbate 20), Solubilizer (Polysorbate 20), Wetting Agent (Polysorbate 20), Dispersant (Polysorbate 20), Emulsifier (Polysorbate 20), PEG Sorbitan Monolaurate, Ethoxylated Sorbitan Laurate, Ethoxylated Sorbitan Monolaurate, Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, Polyoxyethylene sorbitan laurate, Sorbitan laurate polyoxyethylene ether (descriptive), Sorbitan monolaurate polyoxyethylene ether (descriptive), Sorbitan monolaurate ethoxylate, Sorbitan laurate ethoxylate, Lauric Acid Sorbitan Ethoxylate (20) (descriptive), Sorbitan ester of lauric acid, ethoxylated (descriptive), Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (INCI-style), Polysorbate 20 (INCI), Polysorbate 20 (Ph. Eur.) (labeling)

APPLICATIONS

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in facial cleansers to solubilize fragrance oils and improve clarity in mild surfactant systems.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into micellar waters to help disperse perfume and essential oils in clear aqueous bases.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in makeup removers to improve oil lifting while maintaining a gentle feel.

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in shampoos to solubilize fragrance and essential oils and reduce cloudiness.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into sulfate-free shampoos to improve fragrance stability and clarity in compatible bases.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in scalp tonics to disperse lipophilic actives in water-based leave-on products.

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in body washes to stabilize fragrance and to improve rinse feel in shower gels.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into liquid hand soaps to reduce fragrance separation and improve uniform appearance.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in intimate hygiene washes to solubilize perfume at low levels in compatible systems.

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in toners and facial mists to keep fragrance and oils dispersed in clear systems.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into aftershaves to stabilize perfume oils and improve transparency.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in deodorant sprays to solubilize fragrance blends in water-alcohol systems.

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in creams and lotions as a co-emulsifier to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into light emulsions to improve stability and reduce phase separation risk.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in gel-creams to improve emulsification of small oil loads with elegant texture.

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in sunscreen products as a solubilizer and co-emulsifier for compatible oil phases and fragrance.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into after-sun lotions to stabilize emulsions and improve sensory comfort.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in SPF sprays to disperse fragrance and oils in compatible systems.

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in perfumes and body mists to solubilize fragrance oils and reduce haze at low oil loads.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into room sprays to stabilize fragrance oils in water-based systems where permitted.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in reed diffuser auxiliary systems as an emulsifier in compatible formulations.

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in pharmaceutical syrups and oral liquids as a solubilizer for lipophilic ingredients in compatible dosage forms.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into topical sprays and solutions to improve solubilization of actives.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in ophthalmic and nasal formulations only when specifications and regulatory requirements are met.

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in nutraceutical liquids to disperse oil-soluble vitamins in compatible aqueous systems.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into functional beverage concentrates in some applications to stabilize flavor oils where permitted.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in laboratory buffers and biotechnology applications to reduce surface tension and prevent protein adsorption in compatible protocols.

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in food applications as an emulsifier where permitted to stabilize flavors and improve dispersion.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into flavor emulsions to improve stability and reduce separation.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is valued because PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate provides reliable solubilization and emulsification for oils, fragrances, and actives in water-based systems.

DESCRIPTION

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is a nonionic surfactant produced by ethoxylating sorbitan monolaurate, and the resulting material contains a distribution of ethoxylated species that provide strong hydrophilicity.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is commonly identified as Polysorbate 20, and PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate is designed to stabilize oil-in-water systems and to solubilize small amounts of lipophilic materials in water.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate reduces interfacial tension and forms micelles, allowing fragrance oils and essential oils to remain dispersed without visible separation.

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate can affect viscosity and foaming depending on surfactant system and electrolyte levels, so formulation screening is recommended.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate can interact with some preservatives and actives, and compatibility testing is recommended for clarity and stability over time.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate may contain residual impurities typical of ethoxylated materials, so quality control and supplier specifications are important for sensitive applications.

PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate should be stored in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry place protected from excessive heat.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate can become more viscous at low temperature, so warming may be needed for pumping and accurate dosing.
PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate should be used according to applicable regulations and supplier guidelines for the intended market and product category.

PROPERTIES

Common Name: PEG 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate (Polysorbate 20)
Chemical Type: Nonionic surfactant and solubilizer (ethoxylated sorbitan ester)
Appearance: Clear to slightly hazy viscous liquid (grade dependent)
Odor: Mild characteristic odor
Solubility: Dispersible and soluble in water; soluble in alcohol; compatible with many oils as an emulsifier
HLB Value: High HLB typical of Polysorbate 20 (system dependent)
Viscosity: Moderate to high viscosity (temperature and grade dependent)
Cloud Point: Grade dependent and influenced by electrolytes
pH Stability: Stable in typical cosmetic pH ranges (system dependent)
Foam Impact: Can increase or modify foam depending on surfactant system
Stability: Stable under recommended storage; avoid strong oxidizers and contamination
Storage Temperature: 15–30°C, tightly closed
Shelf Life: Typically 24 months in original sealed packaging (supplier dependent)

FIRST AID

Inhalation:
Move to fresh air if mists are inhaled.
Seek medical attention if respiratory irritation persists.
Avoid breathing aerosols during spraying and high-shear mixing.

Skin Contact:
Wash with soap and water after contact.
Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.
Seek medical advice if irritation develops or persists.

Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, then continue rinsing.
Seek medical attention if irritation persists.

Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water.
Seek medical attention if discomfort occurs or if a significant amount is swallowed.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.

Note to Physicians:
Treat symptomatically.
No specific antidote is required.
Provide supportive care based on exposure route and symptoms.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling:
Use appropriate PPE including gloves and safety glasses.
Avoid contact with eyes and prolonged skin contact during bulk handling.
Wash hands after handling and before eating, drinking, or smoking.

Ventilation:
Use general ventilation for normal handling.
Use local exhaust if aerosols or mists may be generated during high-shear mixing or spraying.
Avoid confined areas where mists can accumulate.

Storage:
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat.
Protect from contamination and keep containers properly labeled.
Warm gently if needed to reduce viscosity for pumping, and avoid overheating.

Spill and Leak Procedures:
Contain the spill and absorb with inert material.
Clean surfaces thoroughly because surfactants can create slip hazards.
Dispose of waste according to local regulations and facility procedures.

Handling Precautions:
Optimize dosage to achieve clarity and solubilization without excessive foaming or haze in electrolyte-rich systems.
Verify compatibility with preservatives, fragrances, and actives to prevent clouding and long-term instability.
Rotate stock using FIFO practices to maintain consistent quality and predictable solubilization performance.