Polysorbate 20

CAS Number:

9005-64-5

Chemical Formula:

C58H114O26

Chem/IUPAC Name:

Sorbitan, monododecanoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs

EINECS/ELINCS No:

Not specified

COSING REF No:

79318

Other Names:

Also known as Tween 20 and is classified as food additive E432

Description:

Polysorbate 20 is a non-ionic surfactant and emulsifier used in cosmetics to bind oil and water together.It enhances spreadability, is gentle on skin and hair, and is known for its foaming properties in cleansers.

Uses:

It is a versatile, water-soluble (hydrophilic) nonionic surfactant used across many product types.

· Skin Care: Used in face washes, body lotions, and creams. It acts as a surfactant to reduce surface tension for stable products, helps create foam, and attracts oil and dirt for cleansing.

· Hair Care: Found in shampoos, where it functions as a surfactant and also acts as a fragrance ingredient due to its derivation from sorbitol.

· Cosmetics: Serves as an emulsifier in foundations and mascaras, preventing oil and water-based ingredients from separating for a better texture. It is also a common solubilizer for essential oils and fragrances in water-based products.

· Prevalence: Present in approximately 5.19% of cosmetics, with particularly high use in intimate wipes (~24%), face cleansing wipes (~24%), and baby cleaning wipes (~24%)

Origin:

Polysorbate 20 is a semi-synthetic ingredient. It is produced by reacting sorbitol (a polyol derived from plant sources like fruits and berries) with ethylene oxide, followed by esterification with lauric acid (commonly from coconut or palm kernel oil). The "20" in its name represents the average number of ethylene oxide units reacted per mole of sorbitol.

What does POLYSORBATE 20 in a formulation?

Its primary functions are:

• Surfactant
• Emulsifying

Key Technical Properties:

· HLB Value: 16-17, making it an excellent oil-in-water emulsifier.

· Typical Use Level: 2% to 10% in formulations.

· Appearance: Viscous liquid that is clear, pale yellow, or yellow-green.

HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION  

Classification:  

• Physical Hazards: None  
• Health hazards: None  

• Environmental hazards: None  

     

Label Elements: None 

Signal Word(S): None  

Hazard Statements: None.  

Precautionary Statement: Keep away from heat and fire.  

Storage: Stored in a cool, dry and ventilated dry place. Keep container tightly closed  

Label Elements: None  

Signal Word(S): None  

Hazard Statements: None.  

Precautionary Statement: Keep away from heat and fire.  

Storage: Stored in a cool, dry and ventilated dry place. Keep container tightly closed  

COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS 

FIRST AID MEASURES  

 Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes while holding eyelids open. If irritation persists get medical attention.  

Skin Contact: In case of contact, immediately remove contaminated clothing, and wash with plenty of water. Get medical attention if irritation persists. Clean contaminated clothing and shoes before reuse.  

Inhalation: Inhalation is not an expected route of exposure. If respiratory irritation or distress occurs remove victim to fresh air. Seek medical attention if respiratory irritation or distress continues.   

Ingestion: Oral toxicity is low. If ingesting, get medical attention.  

Comments: Treat according to person’s condition and specifics of exposure. Skin contact may aggravate existing skin disease.  

Note to Physicians: Treat symptomatically

FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES  

Extinguishing Media: Use water, carbon dioxide, foam, dry powder.  

 Fire & Explosion Hazards: May ignite by sparks, heat flames. Carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide may be released by  

fire.  

 Special Fire-fighting Protective Equipments: Firefighters should wear NIOSH/MSHA approved self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES  

Personal Precautions: Avoid eyes/face contact. Avoid skin contact. Do not take internally.  

Environmental Precautions: Do not allow to penetrate into soil, water bodies or drains.  

Methods for Cleaning Up: Contain spillage, and then collect with non-combustible absorbent materials, (e.g. sand, dry lime, soda ash) and place in container for disposal according to local/ national regulations. It can also be diluted with a large amount of water before release into the waste water system. For large spill, use dike to contain and then collect, transfer, recycle or discard after treatment.  

HANDLING AND STORAGE  

Handling Precautions: Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Wash thoroughly after handling. As all chemicals, good industrial hygiene practices should be followed when handling this material.  

Storage Conditions: Keep containers tightly closed in a dry, cool and well -ventilated place. Keep away from kindling material, heat source and direct sun light，Do not store close to strong oxidizing agents which could aggravate any fire situation.

EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION

• Engineering Measures: Provide adequate ventilation.  

• Engineering Measures: Provide adequate ventilation.

• Skin Protection: Protective overalls and safety shoes/boots recommended.

• Hand Protection: Impervious gloves recommended.

• Respiratory Protection: Not required

• Others: Eyewash and safety shower easily accessible to the work area

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

• Appearance: Yellow to amber oily liquid

• Appearance: Yellow to amber oily liquid

• Melting Point: Unknow

• pH(25℃)(1%soln.): Unknow

• Boiling Point: Unknow

• Flash Point: ＞120°C （Closed cup）

• Vapor pressure: Unknow

STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

• Stability: Stable under normal conditions.

• Incompatible Materials: Avoid strong oxidizing agents and acids

• Conditions to Avoid: Heat, open flame, spark.

• Hazardous Polymerization: Hazardous polymerization will not occur

TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

• Carcinogenicity: Not considered to be a carcinogen according the animal tests.

• Teratogenicity: Not available

• Mutagenicity: Testing has shown this product to be non-mutagenic when make the rats expose in 100mg/ml products for 24h.

ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

• Ecological Toxicity: None Established.

• Persistence and Degradability: It is biodegradable in the environment.

• Mobility: The product will dissolve in water

DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Product Disposal: Dispose of in accordance with local regulations.

• Packaging Disposal: Any containers or equipment used should be decontaminated immediately after use.

TRANSPORT INFORMATION

• Road and Rail Transport: Not subject to ADR/RID code

• Sea Transport (IMDG): Not subject to IMDG code

• Air Transport (ICAO/IATA): Not subject to ICAO/IATA regulations.

REGULATORY INFORMATION

Applicable Laws: Provisions of the Regulations for the Safe Handling of Chemicals in the Workplace, particularly those relating to the safe use, production, storage and transportation of dangerous chemicals.

Chemical Inventories:

• AICS: All ingredients listed or exempt.

• DSL: All chemical substances in this material are included on or exempted from the DSL.

• IECSC: All ingredients listed or exempt.

• MITI: All components are listed on ENCS or its exempt rule.

• KECL: All ingredients listed, exempt or notified.

• EINECS: All ingredients listed or exempt.

• PICCS: All ingredients listed or exempt.

• TSCA: All chemical substances in this material are included on or exempted from listing on the TSCA Inventory of Chemical Substances.

Technical Specification

Packaging

200kg/ plastic drum or 220kg/drum or 1000kg/IBC net weight.

Storage and Preservation

Preserved dry at room temperature, avoid sunlight.