SORBITAN LAURATE

CAS No.: 16287-68-6 / 1338-39-2
EC No.: 215-663-3

Synonyms:
SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan monolaurate; 16287-68-6; 2-(3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl dodecanoate; Sorbitan, monododecanoate; D-Glucitol, 1,4-anhydro-, 6-dodecanoate; Span 20; Sorbitan laurate (INN); Sorbitan monolaurate (NF); Span 20 (TN); 1,4-anhydro-6-O-dodecanoyl-D-glucitol; Sorbester P12; NCGC00160357-01; Sorbitan laurate, INN; [2-(3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl] dodecanoate; SCHEMBL3835; CHEMBL1706633; DTXSID70324260; Sorbitan monolaurate, BAN, USAN; 3,6-Anhydro-1-O-dodecanoylhexitol; LMFA07011017; NSC406169; MCULE-5451877564; NSC-406169; E493; FT-0633525; ST50827458; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Dodecanoic acid 2-hydroxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl)ethyl ester; alkamuls SML; 1,4-anhydro-D-glucitol, 6-dodecanoate; anhydrosorbitol monolaurate; crill 1; dehymuls SML; [2-[(2R,3S,4R)-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl]-2-hydroxyethyl] dodecanoate; emasol L-10V; emasol O-10V; glycomul L K; ionet S-20; kaopan SP-L-10; lauric acid sorbitan ester; lonzest SML; lubricit SML-H; lubricit SML-K; ml-33-F; monemul - 20; montane 20; nikkol SL-10; sorbirol L; sorbitan lauric acid monoester; sorbitan monododecanoate; sorbitan monolaurate; sorbitan, monododecanoate; sorbitan, monolaurate; D-Glucitol, 1,4-anhydro-, 6-dodecanoate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Sorbitan laurate; [(2R)-2-[(3R,4S)-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl]-2-hydroxyethyl] dodecanoate; 1,4-anhydro-6-O-dodecanoyl-D-glucitol; Sorbitan laurate (INN); Sorbitan, monododecanoate; Sorbitan monolaurate (NF); Span 20 (TN); NCGC00160357-01; DSSTox_CID_7395; DSSTox_RID_78435; DSSTox_GSID_27395; Tox21_111759; CAS-1338-39-2; D05894; Hexitol,1,4-anhydro-, 6-dodecanoate; [2-(3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl] dodecanoate; 2-(3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl dodecanoate; AC1L87DU; AGN-PC-000CCO; NSC406169; NSC-406169; SureCN3835; [2-(3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl] dodecanoate; 1,4-anhydro-6-o-dodecanoyl-d-glucitol; 16287-68-6; 2-(3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl dodecanoate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; 3,6-anhydro-1-o-dodecanoylhexitol; 5959-89-7; AC1L87DU; CHEMBL1706633; D-Glucitol, 1,4-anhydro-, 6-dodecanoate; dodecanoic acid 2-hydroxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl)ethyl ester; DTXSID70324260; e493; FT-0633525; LMFA07011017; LP011092; MCULE-5451877564; NCGC00160357-01; NS00006925; nsc406169; nsc-406169; SCHEMBL3835; sorbester p12; Sorbitan laurate; sorbitan laurate (inn); sorbitan laurate, inn; SORBITAN MONODODECANOATE; Sorbitan monolaurate; sorbitan monolaurate (nf); Sorbitan monolaurate, BAN, USAN; Sorbitan, monododecanoate; Span 20; span 20 (tn); ST50827458; Sorbitan Monolaurate; Sorbitan Monolaurate; Sorbitan MonoLaurate; sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan monolaurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan MonoLaurate; Sorbitan monolaurate; Standard composition; Sorbitan monolaurate; sorbitan monolaurate; sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan Laurate; Sorbitan monolaurate; Sorbitanlaurat; ARLACEL 20; SORBITANE MONOLAURATE; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan monododecanoate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN MONOLAURATE; SPAN 20; SPAN NO 20; SPAN(R) 20; SPAN(TM) 20; emsorb2515; emulsifier(s20); EmulsifierS20; radiasurf7125; Arlasel 20; Sorbitan Monolaurate (Span-20); Span #20 (Sorbitan monolaurate); span (R) 20 hlb-value 8.6; span(R) 20 solution; Span(rg 20; Span?20 solution; 1,4-Anhydro-D-glucitol, 6-dodecanoate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Anhydrosorbitol monolaurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan laurate [INN]; Sorbitan monolaurate; Sorbitan monolaurate [USAN:NF]; Sorbitan, monododecanoate; Alkamuls S 20; Alkamuls SML; Arlacel 20; Arlacel-20; Armotan ML; Atmer 100; CCRIS 709; Dehymuls SML; Disponil SML 100; EC 215-663-3; EINECS 215-663-3; Emasol 110; Emasol L 10; Emasol L 10(F); Emasol Super L 10(F); Emsorb 2515; Glycomul L; Glycomul LC; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Ionet S 20; Kemotan S 20; L 250; L 250 (ester); Laurate de sorbitan; Laurate de sorbitan [INN-French]; Laurato de sorbitano; Laurato de sorbitano [INN-Spanish]; Lauric acid sorbitan ester; Lonzest SML; ML 33F; Montane 20; Nissan Nonion LP 20R; Nonion LP 20R; Nonion LR 20R; NRF 201; Radiasurf 7125; Rheodol SP-L 10; Rheodol Super SP-L 10; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan lauric acid monoester; Sorbitan monolaurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Sorbitan monolaurate. (Compound usually contains also associated fatty acids.); Sorbitan, monododecanoate; Sorbitani lauras; Sorbitani lauras [INN-Latin]; Sorbon S 20; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Sorgen 90; SP-L 10; Span 20; Texnol SPT; UNII-6W9PS8B71J; Value SP 20; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan, esters, monododecanoate; Sorbitan, monododecanoate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Sorbitan, monolaurate; Sorbitan monolaurate; Sorbitan, monolaurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan monolaurate; 16287-68-6; 2-(3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl dodecanoate; Sorbitan, monododecanoate; D-Glucitol, 1,4-anhydro-, 6-dodecanoate; Span 20; Sorbitan laurate (INN); Sorbitan monolaurate (NF); Span 20 (TN); 1,4-anhydro-6-O-dodecanoyl-D-glucitol; Sorbester P12; NCGC00160357-01; Sorbitan laurate, INN; [2-(3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl] dodecanoate; SCHEMBL3835; CHEMBL1706633; DTXSID70324260; Sorbitan monolaurate, BAN, USAN; 3,6-Anhydro-1-O-dodecanoylhexitol; LMFA07011017; NSC406169; MCULE-5451877564; NSC-406169; E493; FT-0633525; ST50827458; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Dodecanoic acid 2-hydroxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl)ethyl ester; alkamuls SML; 1,4-anhydro-D-glucitol, 6-dodecanoate; anhydrosorbitol monolaurate; crill 1; dehymuls SML; [2-[(2R,3S,4R)-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl]-2-hydroxyethyl] dodecanoate; emasol L-10V; emasol O-10V; glycomul L K; ionet S-20; kaopan SP-L-10; lauric acid sorbitan ester; lonzest SML; lubricit SML-H; lubricit SML-K; ml-33-F; monemul - 20; montane 20; nikkol SL-10; sorbirol L; sorbitan lauric acid monoester; sorbitan monododecanoate; sorbitan monolaurate; sorbitan, monododecanoate; sorbitan, monolaurate; D-Glucitol, 1,4-anhydro-, 6-dodecanoate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Sorbitan laurate; [(2R)-2-[(3R,4S)-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl]-2-hydroxyethyl] dodecanoate; 1,4-anhydro-6-O-dodecanoyl-D-glucitol; Sorbitan laurate (INN); Sorbitan, monododecanoate; Sorbitan monolaurate (NF); Span 20 (TN); NCGC00160357-01; DSSTox_CID_7395; DSSTox_RID_78435; DSSTox_GSID_27395; Tox21_111759; CAS-1338-39-2; D05894; Hexitol,1,4-anhydro-, 6-dodecanoate; [2-(3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl] dodecanoate; 2-(3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl dodecanoate; AC1L87DU; AGN-PC-000CCO; NSC406169; NSC-406169; SureCN3835; [2-(3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl] dodecanoate; 1,4-anhydro-6-o-dodecanoyl-d-glucitol; 16287-68-6; 2-(3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl dodecanoate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; 3,6-anhydro-1-o-dodecanoylhexitol; 5959-89-7; AC1L87DU; CHEMBL1706633; D-Glucitol, 1,4-anhydro-, 6-dodecanoate; dodecanoic acid 2-hydroxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl)ethyl ester; DTXSID70324260; e493; FT-0633525; LMFA07011017; LP011092; MCULE-5451877564; NCGC00160357-01; NS00006925; nsc406169; nsc-406169; SCHEMBL3835; sorbester p12; Sorbitan laurate; sorbitan laurate (inn); sorbitan laurate, inn; SORBITAN MONODODECANOATE; Sorbitan monolaurate; sorbitan monolaurate (nf); Sorbitan monolaurate, BAN, USAN; Sorbitan, monododecanoate; Span 20; span 20 (tn); ST50827458; Sorbitan Monolaurate; Sorbitan Monolaurate; Sorbitan MonoLaurate; sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan monolaurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan MonoLaurate; Sorbitan monolaurate; Standard composition; Sorbitan monolaurate; sorbitan monolaurate; sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan Laurate; Sorbitan monolaurate; Sorbitanlaurat; ARLACEL 20; SORBITANE MONOLAURATE; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan monododecanoate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN MONOLAURATE; SPAN 20; SPAN NO 20; SPAN(R) 20; SPAN(TM) 20; emsorb2515; emulsifier(s20); EmulsifierS20; radiasurf7125; Arlasel 20; Sorbitan Monolaurate (Span-20); Span #20 (Sorbitan monolaurate); span (R) 20 hlb-value 8.6; span(R) 20 solution; Span(rg 20; Span?20 solution; 1,4-Anhydro-D-glucitol, 6-dodecanoate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Anhydrosorbitol monolaurate; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan laurate [INN]; Sorbitan monolaurate; Sorbitan monolaurate [USAN:NF]; Sorbitan, monododecanoate; Alkamuls S 20; Alkamuls SML; Arlacel 20; Arlacel-20; Armotan ML; Atmer 100; CCRIS 709; Dehymuls SML; Disponil SML 100; EC 215-663-3; EINECS 215-663-3; Emasol 110; Emasol L 10; Emasol L 10(F); Emasol Super L 10(F); Emsorb 2515; Glycomul L; Glycomul LC; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Ionet S 20; Kemotan S 20; L 250; L 250 (ester); Laurate de sorbitan; Laurate de sorbitan [INN-French]; Laurato de sorbitano; Laurato de sorbitano [INN-Spanish]; Lauric acid sorbitan ester; Lonzest SML; ML 33F; Montane 20; Nissan Nonion LP 20R; Nonion LP 20R; Nonion LR 20R; NRF 201; Radiasurf 7125; Rheodol SP-L 10; Rheodol Super SP-L 10; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan lauric acid monoester; Sorbitan monolaurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Sorbitan monolaurate. (Compound usually contains also associated fatty acids.); Sorbitan, monododecanoate; Sorbitani lauras; Sorbitani lauras [INN-Latin]; Sorbon S 20; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Sorgen 90; SP-L 10; Span 20; Texnol SPT; UNII-6W9PS8B71J; Value SP 20; Sorbitan laurate; Sorbitan, esters, monododecanoate; Sorbitan, monododecanoate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate; Sorbitan, monolaurate; Sorbitan monolaurate; Sorbitan, monolaurate; SORBITAN LAURATE; Sorbitan Laurate

SORBITAN LAURATE

SORBITAN LAURATE
PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
CAS NO.    1338-39-2    
SORBITAN LAURATE 
EINECS NO.    215-663-3
FORMULA    C18H34O6
MOL WT.    346.46
H.S. CODE

TOXICITY
Oral rat LD50: 33600 mg/kg
SYNONYMS    Sorbitan Monolaurate; Sorbitan Monoldodecanoate;
SMILES    
Sorbitol, Fatty Acid
CLASSIFICATION
SURFACTANTS /
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL STATE    yellow liquid
MELTING POINT     
BOILING POINT    
SPECIFIC GRAVITY    1.032
SOLUBILITY IN WATER    Insoluble ( soluble in mineral oil and alcohols )
pH     
VAPOR DENSITY    
HLB VALUE    
AUTOIGNITION    
NFPA RATINGS    
REFRACTIVE INDEX
FLASH POINT    
STABILITY    
Stable under ordinary conditions

GENERAL DESCRIPTION & APPLICATIONS

Sorbitol is a white, sweetish, hygroscopic, crystalline sugar alcohol of six-carbon. It is found naturally in various berries and fruits. Or it is prepared synthetically by high-pressure catalytic hydrogenation of glucose sugar derived from cornstarch. It melts at 93 to 98 C depending on the form. It is used as a a sweetening agent, food additive, toothpaste, tobacco, toiletries and in cosmetics. It is used for vitamin-C fermentation. It is used as a excipient and intravenous osmotic diuretic in pharmaceutical fields. It is also used in the manufacture of polyethers for polyurethanes and surfactants. The term sorbitan describes the anhydride form of sorbitol, whose fatty acids are lipophilic whereas sorbitol body is hydrophilic. This bifunctionality in one molecule provides the basic properties useful in cleaners, detergents, polymer additives, and textile industry as emulsifiers, wetting agents, and viscosity modifiers. Sorbitan esters are rather lipophilic (or hydrophobic) surfactants exhibiting low HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) values; having an affinity for, tending to combine with, or capable of dissolving in lipids (or water-insoluble). While, the ethoxylated sorbitan esters are hydrophilics exhibiting high HLB values; having an affinity for water; readily absorbing or dissolving in water. The type of fatty acid and the mole number of ethylene oxide provides diverse HLB values for proper applications.
HLB numbers describe following characterestics:

<10 : Lipid soluble (or water-insoluble)
>10 : Water Soluble
4-8 : Antifoaming
7-11 : Water-in-oil emulsion
12-16 : Oil-in-water emulsion
11-14 : Good Wetting
12-15 : Good detergency
16-20 : Stabilizing
HLB values of sorbitan compounds are:
Surfactants
HLB Value

CAS RN
Sorbitan hexastearate ethoxylate EO 6 mole    
Sorbitan isostearate
Sorbitan laurate
Sorbitan monoisostearate ethoxylate EO 20 mole    
Sorbitan monolaurate ethoxylate EO 20 mole    
Sorbitan monooleate ethoxylate EO 20 mole    
Sorbitan monopalmitate ethoxylate EO 20 mole    
Sorbitan monostearate ethoxylate EO 20 mole    
Sorbitan monstearate ethoxylate EO 6 mole    
Sorbitan oleate
Sorbitan palmitate
Sorbitan sesquioleate
Sorbitan stearate
Sorbitan tetraoleate ethoxylate EO 30 mole    
Sorbitan tetraoleate ethoxylate EO 40 mole    
Sorbitan tetraoleate ethoxylate EO 6 mole    
Sorbitan tetrastearate ethoxylate EO 60 mole    
Sorbitan trioleate ethoxylate EO 20 mole    
Sorbitan trioleate
Sorbitan tristearate ethoxylate EO 20 mole    
Sorbitan tristearate
SALES SPECIFICATION
APPEARANCE

yellow to brown liquid
ACID VALUE    
8.0 max
HYDROXYL VALUE    
330 - 360
SAP VALUE    
150 - 175

MOISTURE    
1.0% max
TRANSPORTATION
PACKING    
200kgs in drum

HAZARD CLASS    Not regulated
UN NO.     
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF NONIONIC SURFACTANTS

Nonionic surfactants are surface active agents which do not dissociate into ions in aqueous solutions, unlike anionic surfactants which have a negative charge and cationic surfactants which have a positive charge in aqueous solution. Nonionic surfactants are more widely used as detergents than ionic surfactants because anionic surfactants are insoluble in many hard water and cationic surfactants are considered to be poor cleaners. In addition to detergency, nonionic surfactants show excellent solvency, low foam properties and chemical stability. It is thought that nonionic surfactants are mild on the skin even at high loadings and long-term exposure. The hydrophilic group of nonionic surfactants is a polymerized alkene oxide (water soluble polyether with 10 to 100 units length typically). They are prepared by polymerization of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide in the same molecule. Depending on the ratio and order of oxide addition, together with the number of carbon atoms which vary the chemical and physical properties, nonionic surfactant is used as a wetting agent, a detergent, or an emulsifier. Nonionic surfactants include alcohol ethoxylates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, phenol ethoxylates, amide ethoxylates, glyceride ethoxylates (soya bean oil and caster oil ethoxylates), fatty acid ethoxylates, and fatty amine ethoxylates. Another commercially significant nonionic surfactants are the alkyl glycosides in which the hydrophilic groups are sugars (polysaccharides).

Description: Liquid emulsifier for cosmetic formulations.
CAS: 1338-39-2
INCI Name: Sorbitan Laurate
Specifications:
Appearance @ 25°C: Amber liquid
Acid number: 7.0 Maximum
Saponification number: 157-171
Hydroxyl number: 330-360
Water content: 1.0 Maximum
Color (gardner) 9.0 Maximum

PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate is used in some personal care products as a surfactant. It has been associated with some skin allergies.
INCI Name:
PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
Role:
Surfactant
Common name:
PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
EWG score: 
3 - 5 (depends on usage)

sorbitan laurate
Rating: GOOD
Categories: Cleansing Agents, Emulsifiers
An ester of lauric acid and portions of the sugar ingredient sorbitol. This ingredient works as a cleansing agent and emulsifier, and may be naturally-derived or synthetic.

Amounts above 5% are likely to cause skin irritation; however, sorbitan laurate is typically used in lower amounts, along with other cleansing agents. As such, it’s considered a safe ingredient for use on skin.

What Is It?
Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Sorbitan Palmitate and Sorbitan Trioleate are white to tan-colored solids. In cosmetics and personal care products, Sorbitan Esters are used in a variety of products including skin care products, skin cleansing products, moisturizers, eye makeup and other makeup.

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Sorbitan Palmitate and Sorbitan Trioleate function as surfactant - emulsifying agents.

Scientific Facts: 
The sorbitan esters are produced by reacting the polyol, sorbitol, with a fatty acids (stearic acid, lauric acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid). Both sobitol and the fatty acids are naturally occurring and are used in cosmetic products.

Safety Information: 
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows Sorbitan Stearate to be added to food as a multipurpose food additive. Sorbitan Stearate is also on FDA's list of and flavoring substances and adjuvants that may be added to food. The safety of Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Sorbitan Palmitate and Sorbitan Trioleate has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe as a cosmetic ingredient under present conditions of concentration and use.

More safety Information: 
CIR Review: The CIR Expert Panel noted that as a class, the Sorbitan esters, including Sorbitan Stearate, are generally mild skin irritants but nonsensitizers. Sorbitan Stearate is not a photosensitizer. Sorbitan Stearate and Sorbitan Laurate were negative in carcinongenicity studies. Based on the available information, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Sorbitan Palmitate, and Sorbitan Trioleate were safe as cosmetic ingredients.

Multipurpose Additives 
Flavoring Agents and Related Substances 
When made from plants Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Sorbitan Palmitate and Sorbitan Trioleate may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union. Ingredients of animal origin must comply with the European Union animal by-products regulations.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives has established an Acceptable Daily Intake of 0-25 mg/kg body weight for the sum of Sorbitan esters of lauric, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acid. 

More scientific Information: 
The Sorbitan esters are the fatty-acid esters of hexitol anhydrides derived from sorbitol. Esterification with a fatty acid derivatives normally yields the ester at the terminal (primary) alcohol group (e.g., Sorbitan Oleate). Sorbitan esters are water insoluble. The sorbitan derivatives as a class are excellent emulsifiers.

Details
An ingredient that helps water and oil to mix together, aka emulsifier. Chemically speaking, it comes from the attachment of sorbitan (a dehydrated sorbitol (sugar) molecule) with the fatty acid Lauric Acid, that creates a partly water (the sorbitan part) and partly oil soluble (lauric part) molecule. 

Sorbitan Laurate is a good team player that likes to work with many other emulsifiers and is compatible with a wide range of other ingredients.

Abstract
The Sorbitan esters, including Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Sorbitan Palmitate, and Sorbitan Trioleate, are used in cosmetic products as emulsifiers and stabilizers at concentrations normally under 5 percent. Toxicity was reported in subchronic and chronic studies at concentrations above that normally used in cosmetics.

Sorbitan laurate (Span 20) is a mixture of the partial esters of sorbitol and its mono- and dianhydrides with edible lauric acid. It is an excipient. Sorbitan laurate is a non-ionic surfactant that is widely used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in pharmaceutical formulations, food and cosmetic industries. As a food additive, it is designated with the E number E493. Span 20 finds application in topical preparations. It is soluble in many fatty compositions and solvents and dispersible in water, dilute acids and alkalis. Recommended topical usage levels of 0.5-5%.