Polysorbate 80

Polysorbate 80 is a sorbitan-derived ingredient (sorbitan mono-9-octadecenoate polyoxyethylene derivative, CAS# 9005-65-6) that functions primarily as an emulsifier and surfactant. It helps water and oil mix together in cosmetic formulations. The number "80" refers to its oil-loving (lipophilic) component; higher numbers in the polysorbate series indicate greater emulsifying power, making Polysorbate 80 more suitable for serums and creams than lower-numbered variants like Polysorbate 20.