murphySorbitan Stearate
AKA: SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, 1338-41-6, Arlacel 60, Sorbitan monooctadecanoate, Sorgen 50, Monostearate, Stearate de sorbitan, Lipsorb s, Liposorb S
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Clean
OriginTypically derived from coconut, palm kernel, or soybean oils as the natural starting material. Produced through esterification of sorbitol with stearic acid, a fatty acid derived from plant oils.
Sorbitan monostearate is a small molecule drug. Sorbitan monostearate has a monoisotopic molecular weight of 430.33 Da.
Solubility Soluble in ethanol, isopropanol, mineral oil, and vegetable oil.
Formula
C24H46O6
Mol. Weight
430.60
CAS #
1338-41-6
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Surfactant Emulsifying
Improves Elasticity
Moisturizing
Boosts Collagen
Mixes oil and water
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed4 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
4 studies / 4 not sensitizing / plus 1 case report (CIR 196 and 682)
Not Phototoxic
Product formulation test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (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
14 studies / 7 irritating / 2 mixed / 5 not irritating / reactions minimal to moderate (CIR 196 and 682)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.00000072–5%
Rinse-off0.0013–3.5%
0%50%100%
CIR reported use · 2014 survey
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR