The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Sorbitan Palmitate

The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Sorbitan Palmitate

The Emulsion-Stabilizing Sorbitan Ester

Sorbitan Palmitate (Span 40) is a gentle, nonionic emulsifier and stabilizer made from sorbitol and palmitic acid, used to build and firm up creams and lotions.

A low-HLB co-emulsifier, it strengthens the interface between oil and water and helps give emulsions a stable, well-structured body.

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GOOD

Emulsifier

A nonionic sorbitan-ester co-emulsifier and stabilizer that firms and strengthens emulsions.

Used in moisturizers, creams and lotions and treatment formulas.

Formulators wanting a gentle co-emulsifier to stabilize and structure creams and lotions.

Sorbitan Palmitate, Span 40

Private Label Formulas

🇺🇸 MADE IN USA | 🚀 READY TO LAUNCH

Benefits of Sorbitan Palmitate

A nonionic co-emulsifier and stabilizer that firms and strengthens creams and lotions.

  • Emulsion Stability: Reinforces the oil–water interface for robust, long-lasting emulsions.
  • Co-Emulsifier: Teams with higher-HLB emulsifiers for balanced systems.
  • Texture & Body: Helps give creams a firm, cushioned structure.
  • Gentle & Nonionic: Mild and broadly compatible.
  • Versatile: Suits creams, lotions and rich treatments.

How It Works

Like other sorbitan esters, Sorbitan Palmitate anchors at the oil–water boundary; its palmitate tail packs tightly into the oil phase, strengthening the interfacial film so emulsion droplets resist coalescing. Paired with a matching polysorbate, it forms a balanced emulsifier system.

Formulating with Sorbitan Palmitate

Sorbitan Palmitate is melted into the oil phase and used at low levels as a co-emulsifier/stabilizer, typically with a higher-HLB partner. Observe good manufacturing and preservation practice.

Safety Analysis

Sorbitan Palmitate is well tolerated with a strong record of safe cosmetic use. As always, substantiate the finished product’s safety (e.g. patch / HRIPT testing) in line with MoCRA requirements.

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