Sorbitan Palmate

AKA: Span 40, Palm Oil Sorbitan Ester

Synthetic

Emollient

Emulsifier

Skin Conditioner

Not Clean

OriginDerived from sorbitol (a sugar alcohol) and palm acid, a saturated fatty acid from palm oil. Produced through esterification, where sorbitol anhydride is chemically bonded with palmitic acid under controlled conditions.

Sorbitan Palmate is the monoester of Palm Acid and hexitol anhydrides derived from sorbitol

CAS #

-

Skin Types

●all-skin-types

Best For

General

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Yes

Functions

Emulsion Stabilising

Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.

Emollient

Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.

Locks In Moisture

The paper trail

🔬Peer-reviewednone on file

⚖️Regulatory1 listing →

🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →

Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.

EWG

CIR

Safe as used

Pregnancy

Yes

Concentration Guide

Leave-on0.45–0.75%

Rinse-offNot reported

0%50%100%

CIR reported use · 2014 survey

Regulatory Status

USA✔ permitted

EU⚠ restricted

JAPAN⚠ restricted

CANADA⚠ restricted

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

Verified Jun 2026

Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR