Ingredient Dictionary

SORBITAN STEARATE

Sorbitan monostearate is a fatty acid ester.

How much products actually contain

No product states its amount yet.

Of the products containing it, 256 list it before the 1% line and 99 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 352 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 352

Definition

Sorbitan monostearate is a fatty acid ester.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII NVZ4I0H58X · registered name SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Sorbitan stearate

Cosmetic roles

Mixes and holds oil and water togetherSURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Sorbitan Palmitate, and Sorbitan Trioleate (Addended by report published in IJT 21(suppl. 1), 2002.)

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Reviewed by CIR: Safety Assessment of Sorbitan Esters as Used in Cosmetics

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name ステアリン酸ソルビタン: 本品は、ステアリン酸（＊）と無水ソルビトールのモノエステルであり、次の化学式で表される。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

SORBITAN STEARATEINCI솔비탄스테아레이트Korean label name (MFDS standard)Sorbitan, monooctadecanoateSynonymステアリン酸ソルビタンJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 1338-41-6
CAS No.chemical registry number: 5093-91-4
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 215-664-9
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID1027396

Measured properties

Appearance: Liquid, Other Solid, CBI, Large Crystals, Dry Powder · White to tan solid, [Merck Index] White crystalline powder, [MSDSonline]
Odour: SLIGHT ODOR
Melting point: 49-65 °C
Solubility: Soluble in ethanol, isopropanol, mineral oil, and vegetable oil. · Insoluble in water and propylene glycol
Density: 1.0 @ 25 °C
Melting/freezing point: 56 ℃
Flash point: 249 ℃
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: - / -
Vapour pressure: 0.0000000000000138 ㎜Hg (1.38E-0.14 mmHg at 25C)
Water solubility: 0.0122 ㎎/ℓ (at 25 C (est.))
Vapour density: &amp, gt, 1
Relative density: 0.973
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 6.10 ((est.))
Molecular weight: 430.70

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 31 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Emulsifier9
Surfactant (surface active agent)4
Processing aids not otherwise specified4
Defoamer2
Surface modifier2
Solids separation (precipitating) agent, not other1
Softener and conditioner1
Dispersing agent1

7 other uses

Humectant1
Solvent1
Intermediate1
Thickening agent1
Viscosity modifier1
Flavouring and nutrient1
Soil amendments1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

2 skin studies and 1 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low2

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 3 studies

Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to other guideline: Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulation, 49 C.F.R., Chapter I, Sec.173.2410 as amended in Fed. Reg. Vol. 37, No. 57, Mar 23, 1972 according to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: Appraisal of the Safety of Chemicals in Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics (Association of Food and Drug Officials,US, p46-48 (1959)) according to OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to