Polysorbate 80
What is it?
Polysorbate 80 is an emulsifier and foaming agent used in cosmetics, foods, and pharmaceuticals. It is often used in cosmetics to stabilize essential oils into water-based products.
How can I avoid it?
Skin contact with Polysorbate 80 is required for it to cause a rash. Discontinuation of exposure to products containing Polysorbate 80 should result in improvement and/or resolution of your dermatitis. By law, all products made in the U.S. for topical use have the ingredients listed either on the product package or the box that contains it, so check the labeling of your skin care products for this ingredient. If there is not enough information, ask your pharmacist or contact the company directly. At work, request a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to help identify potential sources of exposure.
Uses:
• Skin care products/Cosmetics
- Hair colorants/“Permanents-relaxers”
- Hair sprays, gels, tonics, and lotions
- Shampoos/Conditioners
- Moisturizers
- Soap and cleansers
• Toothpastes/Mouthwashes
• Food – sweetening agent, food additive, ice cream
• Intravenous solutions
• Wipes
• Pharmaceuticals
• Vitamins
• Vaccines
• Eye drops
• Tobacco
• Textile industry
• Cleaners, detergents
• Furniture spray
• Pet spray
• Pet shampoo
Other names for Polysorbate 80 and related chemicals:
• Armotan pmo-20
• Capmul poe-o
• Drewmulse poesmo
• Emsorb 6900
• Glycosperse 0-20, 0-20 veg, 0-20x
• Polysorbate 40
• Polysorbate 20
• Liposorb 0-20
• Olothorb
• Peg-20sorbitan oleate
• POE (5), (20) sorbitan monooleate
• Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monooleate
• Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Oleate
• Polyethylene oxide sorbitan mono-oleate
• Polyoxyethylene (5) sorbitan monooleate
• Protasorb 0-20
• Sorbitan mono-oleate polyoxyethylene
• Sorlate
• Sorethytan (20) mono-oleate
• Polysorbate 60
• Sorbitan, monooleate polyoxyethylene
• Sorbitan, mono-9-octadecanoate
• Sorbimacrogololeate 300
• Tween 20
• Tween 40
• Tween 80
• Polysorbate 80, 80 b.p.c
