Sorbitan 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
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
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
Traditional Use
A synthetic non-ionic emulsifier (sorbitan monooleate) developed in the mid-20th century as part of the Span-Tween family of surfactants for stabilizing oil-water mixtures in cosmetics.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
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.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR