murphySorbitan Palmitate
AKA: Span 40, SORBITAN MONOPALMITATE, Arlacel 40, 26266-57-9, Palmitate de sorbitan, Sorbitani palmitas, INS NO.495
Synthetic
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
OriginDerived from sorbitol, a sugar alcohol typically produced from corn or other plant starches. Synthesized through esterification of sorbitol with palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid.
Sorbitan monopalmitate is a small molecule drug. Sorbitan monopalmitate has a monoisotopic molecular weight of 402.3 Da.
Solubility Soluble at temperatures above its melting point in ethanol, methanol, ether, ethyl acetate, aniline, toluene, dioxane, petroleum ether and carbon tetrachloride. Insoluble in cold water but dispersible in warm water
Formula
C22H42O6
Mol. Weight
402.60
CAS #
26266-57-9
Form
Liquid
State
Dry Powder; Pellets or Large Crystals
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Emulsifier
Mixes Oil & Water
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory0 listings
🛡️Safety-assessed4 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
2 studies / 2 not sensitizing (CIR 196 and 682)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
3 studies / 1 irritating / 2 not irritating / reactions slight (CIR 196 and 682)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
12 studies / 6 irritating / 1 mixed / 5 not irritating / reactions minimal to moderate (CIR 196 and 682)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.00003–5.5%
Rinse-off1.8%
0%50%100%
CIR reported use · 2014 survey
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR