The ingredient, explained

Polysorbate 20

Polysorbate 20 has published research relevant to cosmetic safety assessment.

EmulsifyingSurfactant

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Polysorbate 20 is a surfactant with an emulsifying role. It helps formula components that do not normally mix form a more even mixture.

About this ingredient: CosIng identity and functions via Open Beauty Facts ↗ · European Commission ingredient function definitions ↗

Emulsifying: Helps liquids that do not normally mix form a mixture.
Surfactant: Changes surface tension to help a product distribute or interact with other materials.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Safety assessment

The assessment reviewed toxicology and clinical irritation, sensitization and phototoxicity testing of the listed polysorbates.

What this does not tell us

Historical group review includes data from other polysorbates and is conditional on the assessed concentrations. It is not efficacy evidence and cannot substitute for route-specific injectable safety.

Sources for this summary. DOI 10.3109/10915818409021272 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Selective exact-identity review of 0 supplied local candidates and the targeted primary-source search recorded below. Bounded review, not a systematic search.