Sorbeth-40 (inci)

"Sorbeth-" means a PEG (polyethylene glycol) ether of sorbitol (sorbitol) of a C6 sugar alcohol, an isomer of mannitol The number after "sorbeth-" indicates the average number of molecular units -CH2-CH2-O-, for sorbeth-40 this is 40 ethylene glycol units.

Sorbeth-40 is used in cosmetic formulations. The PEG derivative acts as a solvent (dissolves other substances), emulsifier (surface-active substance used as an auxiliary agent in cosmetic preparations to combine two immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - to form an emulsion) and viscosity regulator (increases or decreases the viscosity (toughness) of cosmetic products).