Polysorbate 20
AKA “Polysorbate 20, Tween 20, Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Polysorbate 20
AKA: Tween 20, Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate
Synthetic · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Synthetic
Clean
A gentle cleanser and emulsifier that helps blend oil and water-based ingredients together, creating a smooth, uniform formula.
CAS #
9005-64-5
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Antioxidant Protection
Fights Bacteria
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
Developed in the 1950s as a synthetic nonionic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid. Created to replace natural emulsifiers like beeswax and enable stable water-in-oil formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Agencies
Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone/Polysorbate 20 Crosspolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
PEG-8 Dimethicone/Polysorbate 20 Crosspolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Polysorbate 20
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Oleth 2 Polysorbate 20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Polysorbate 20
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Physicochemical characterization of sodium stearoyl lactylate (SSL), polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20) and κ-carrageenan.
Ortiz-Tafoya MC, Tecante A
Data in brief, 2018
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR