Is Sorbitan Oleate safe in cosmetics?
Sorbitan Oleate has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Good
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Oleate
INCI: SORBITAN OLEATE
Sorbitan Oleate (CAS 37318-79-9) is a cosmetic emulsifier functioning as Emulsifier; W/O co-emulsifier; stabilizer. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 37318-79-9 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Emulsifier; W/O co-emulsifier; stabilizer
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
CIR assessed sorbitan esters as safe as used. Non-ethoxylated — no 1,4-dioxane concern. HLB 4.3 positions as W/O emulsifier. COSMOS-eligible (no PEG). Often paired with Polysorbate 80 to achieve target HLB for O/W systems.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Sorbitan Oleate.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
baby_pediatric
{"cas_number": "CAS-FUNC-23", "ingredient_class": "other", "pediatric_safety_rating": "good", "minimum_age_months": "3", "neonatal_safe": "no", "premature_infant_safe": "insufficient_data", "skin_barrier_maturity_consideration": "Functional ingredient - generally safe", "transepidermal_absorption_risk_pediatric": "low", "systemic_exposure_concern_pediatric": "low", "dose_per_kg_body_weight_concern…
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "1", "irritancy_rating": "1", "skin_type_suitability": "dry,combination,normal", "acne_safe": "yes", "source": "Emulsifier"}
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_value": "4.3", "hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "yes", "emulsifier_type": "w_o", "critical_packing_parameter": "0.60-0.80", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "steric_stabilization", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "polysorbate_80,glyceryl_oleate", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "50-80", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "20-50", "electrolyte_tolerance": "moderate", "pH_emulsion_stability_range": "5.0-10.0", "visco…
hair_care
{"hair_function": "conditioning", "hair_type_suitability": "all", "curl_pattern_suitability": "all", "porosity_suitability": "all", "protein_sensitivity": "neutral", "moisture_protein_balance": "yes", "cg_method_approved": "not-a-silicone", "silicone_type": "not-a-sulfate", "sulfate_type": "no", "drying_alcohol": "no", "fatty_alcohol": "no", "heat_protectant": "yes", "color_safe": "neutral", "kera…
pediatric_safety
{"safe_for_newborn_0_6m": "yes", "safe_for_infant_6_12m": "yes", "safe_for_toddler_1_3y": "yes", "safe_for_child_3_12y": "yes", "safe_for_teen_12_18y": "yes", "pediatric_max_concentration_pct": "5.0", "adult_max_concentration_pct": "5.0", "pediatric_dermal_absorption_factor": "minimal", "diaper_area_safe": "yes", "pediatric_allergy_prevalence": "low", "banned_in_children_products_eu": "no", "banne…
ph_stability
{"optimal_ph_min": "3.0", "optimal_ph_max": "9.0", "stable_ph_min": "3.0", "stable_ph_max": "10.0", "ph_dependent_function": "Non-ionic W/O emulsifier", "formulation_note": "HLB ~4.3", "source": "Formulation literature"}
self_tanning
{"cas_number": "1338-43-8", "ingredient_class": "other", "tanning_mechanism": "other", "color_development_onset_hours": "0.0", "full_color_development_hours": "0", "color_duration_days": "0", "DHA_concentration_if_applicable_pct": "0", "erythrulose_concentration_pct": "0", "pH_dependent_color": "no", "formaldehyde_release_concern": "no", "formaldehyde_release_ppm": "0", "AGE_formation_concern": "n…
solubility_hlb
{"water_soluble": "no", "oil_soluble": "yes", "hlb_value": "4.3", "soluble_in": "oils, ethanol", "insoluble_in": "water, glycerin", "log_p": "4.8", "appearance": "amber liquid", "source": "Croda"}
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Sorbitan Oleate.
Regulatory Flags
non-ethoxylated
peg-free
cosmos
w-o-emulsifier
hlb-blending
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sorbitan Oleate allowed in the EU?
Sorbitan Oleate EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Sorbitan Oleate do in cosmetics?
Sorbitan Oleate functions as: Emulsifier; W/O co-emulsifier; stabilizer. It is classified as a Emulsifier in our database. CAS number: 37318-79-9.
Compliance Tools
Check Sorbitan Oleate compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
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