“Polysorbate 20?”Here!
Appears in 1 scanned product.
In personal care
A synthetic compound made by combining sorbitol (a sugar alcohol) with fatty acids and ethylene oxide. It is a nonionic surfactant, meaning it has no electrical charge, which makes it gentle relative to many cleansing surfactants.
Why it’s used
Its main job is helping oil and water mix, so it is used to blend fragrance oils or essential oils into water-based products, to solubilize small amounts of oil in toners and sprays, and sometimes as a mild emulsifier or cleansing agent in low-foaming washes.
What the evidence says
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel has found polysorbates safe as used in cosmetics.
Context
Used at low concentrations, often under 1 to 3 percent, as a solubilizer rather than a primary cleanser. Relevant to both rinse-off and leave-on products; the trace-contaminant concern is a manufacturing quality control issue rather than a property of the polysorbate molecule itself.
Rumors
Polysorbate 20 may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogen.
Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence
Measured as a biomarker.
- The determination of 1,4-dioxane in cosmetic products by gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- Annmarie Skin Care — a brand: sells handcrafted organic skin care
How we know who this is
- “Step 1: Curate At Annmarie Skin Care, we curate with organic and wildcrafted ingredients—from herbs to high-vibration plant extracts—that meet the highest standards of quality and effectiveness for your skin and body.” (their page)
- “Take this 2-minute assessment for a personalized Annmarie Skin Care regimen for next-level results.” (their page)