POLYSORBATE

📋 Quick facts

Quick Facts:

• Category: other

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Polysorbate is a non-ionic detergent widely used in pharmaceuticals, foods, and cosmetics as an emulsifier
• Polysorbate 80 can help dissolve poorly water-soluble ingredients like quercetin, making them available for skin absorption
• In lab tests, polysorbate 80 showed no UV-related skin damage when used in nanoemulsions
• Some people have documented allergies to polysorbate 80, though true allergy appears relatively uncommon
• Polysorbate 80 affects nerve cell activity in lab studies, though the relevance to topical skincare is unclear

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Polysorbate is a type of emulsifier—an ingredient that helps oil and water mix together in skincare formulas. There are different types (polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, and others), which differ slightly in chemical structure but serve similar functions. #1: Solubility enhancement. One key research finding is that polysorbate 80 can significantly increase how much of certain beneficial ingredients dissolve in water. In a study comparing polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80’s ability to dissolve quercetin (an ingredient with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties), polysorbate 80 increased solubility by 2.87 to 3.63 times depending on concentration, while polysorbate 20 only worked at higher concentrations (J Public Health Afr, 2023).

This matters because insoluble ingredients can’t penetrate skin or work effectively. #2: UV safety profile. When researchers tested polysorbate 80 in nanoemulsion formulas (tiny oil droplets suspended in water) and exposed them to UVA light using human skin cells, polysorbate 80 showed no phototoxic effects—meaning it didn’t cause damage when combined with sun exposure in lab conditions. The researchers identified polysorbate 80 as among the most promising emulsifiers for UV-exposed skin applications (Int J Pharm, 2024). #3: Allergy considerations. Polysorbate 80 can trigger allergic reactions in some people, though true allergy appears uncommon. A retrospective analysis of 126 skin allergy tests found that 12.7% tested positive for polysorbate 80 and/or polyethylene glycol (PEG), with no significant difference between people screened before vaccination versus those with suspected vaccine reactions (Vaccines (Basel), 2023).

Importantly, research on patients with documented polysorbate 80 allergies found they tolerated vaccines containing polysorbate 80 when given under medical supervision (J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract, 2023). The sources suggest allergy testing may be worthwhile if you suspect sensitivity, but that polysorbate 80 alone may not be the culprit in most reactions. #4: Cellular effects in research. At the laboratory level, polysorbate 80 affects sodium channels in nerve cells in a concentration-dependent way (Mol Pain, 2023). However, this research used isolated nerve cells and concentrations that may not reflect topical skincare exposure, so its practical relevance to using polysorbate in cosmetics remains unclear.

The researchers noted that in vitro neuron experiments using polysorbate 80 should be conducted with caution, but did not establish that topical use poses neurological concerns.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Ieven T et al. (2023). Endotyping of IgE-Mediated Polyethylene Glycol and/or Polysorbate 80 Allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.
• Steiner K et al. (2024). Surfactants for stabilization of dermal emulsions and their skin compatibility under UVA irradiation: Diacyl phospholipids and polysorbate 80 result in high viability rates of primary human skin cells. Int J Pharm.
• Erawati T et al. (2023). The effect of polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80 on the solubility of quercetin. J Public Health Afr.
• Nappi E et al. (2023). Polyethylene Glycol and Polysorbate 80 Skin Tests in the Context of an Allergic Risk Assessment for Hypersensitivity Reactions to Anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel).
• Kim RE et al. (2023). Polysorbate 80 blocked a peripheral sodium channel, Na(v)1.7, and reduced neuronal excitability. Mol Pain.

🧴 Products Containing POLYSORBATE

• Rituals Serenity Indian Rose & Sweet Almond Oil
• tetesept tetesept Zeit für Dich
• CONAXESS TRADE NORGE AS Brillance Hårfarge 872 Intense Red
• Ritual of Ayurveda hand wash
• Blend-a-Med Extra weiss
• unilever, dove DOVE Crème Hydratante Corps Soie Pot 300ml
• Unilever, Axe Shock, eau de glacier & menthe extrème
• RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM
• baby lotion
• Leo Bancroft Blissfully Bouncy Volumising Conditioner
• Tiger Moon Retinol Night Cream
• Natural insect repellent
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Luxe, The Body Shop ginger scalp serum
• ColourB4 Effaceur de coloration
• Soap & Glory The Fab Pore Purifying Foam Cleanser
• Oral B oral b complete
• Santé Verte Nature & care permanent colour chocolate
• GHD GHD HEART PROTECT SPRAY
• Charlotte Tilbury magic eye
• Apivita Shower gel with essential oils- refreshing fig
• Colgate Colgate plax ice mouthwash
• ÁR OCEAN 2 in 1 Cleanser + Toner
• Procter & Gamble Norge AS Hårkur 3 minute Miracle 225 ml
• Fragonard Crème antirides pour le visage Vrai
• Environ Moisturiser
• Crema de masajes
• PROCTER & GAMBLE NORGE AS Aussie Hårkur 3 min. Miracle Reconstructor 75ml
• V. V LOVE SHINING LOVE BODY LOTION PACK
• Arad Body Soufflé
• CONAXESS TRADE NORGE AS Brillance Hårfarge 924 Choco Couture
• Flux Fruit Mint
• Unilever, Brylcreem Strong Hold Gel
• Colgate
• Listerine pocketpaks
• Johnson’s Baby Crema liquida avena
• Vogue Vogue polvo compacto de arroz con avena y filtros solares
• Lidherma Cell active hidro cream
• blend-a-med extra frisch clean
• OralB Oral-B 3D White Arctic Fresh Tandpasta
• Nivea nivea bronze efect