Polysorbate 21 (inci)

Polysorbates are mixtures of partial esters of sorbitol and its anhydrides with higher fatty acids (C12-C18), copolymerized with approximately 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of sorbitol. Polysorbates are usually present in oily form.

The polymers are non-ionic surfactants and are used in cosmetic formulations (and pharmaceuticals) as surfactants and emulsifiers. Polysorbates are also used as solubilizers for slightly or not water soluble substances like essential oils, resins, etc. Otherwise they are used as wetting agents or emulsifiers in food, cleaning agents and water-insoluble drugs.

Polysorbates 21 denotes the monoester of polyethylene glycol sorbitane with lauric acid (2= lauric acid) with (1=) a monoester with 4 or 5 polyoxyethylene units. The substance mixture is used in cosmetic formulations. It acts as an emulsifier (a surface-active substance which is used in cosmetic products as an additive to combine 2 immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - to form an emulsion).