CAS Number:
1338-43-8
Chemical Formula:
C24H44O6
EINECS/ELINCS No:
215-665-4
Description:
Span 80,known chemically as Sorbitan Monooleate, is a non-ionic, low-HLB surfactant primarily used as a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifier, stabilizer, and dispersing agent across multiple industries.
Uses:
t is a versatile surfactant used to create and stabilize emulsions where water is dispersed in oil (W/O), and as a co-emulsifier or dispersant.
· Cosmetics & Personal Care: Used in creams, lotions, facial cleansers, sun protection, makeup (eye, face, lip color), lip care, and bath products as a W/O emulsifier and stabilizer.
· Food Industry: Approved as a food additive (E494), used in items like ice cream and salad dressings to improve texture and stability.
· Pharmaceuticals: Serves as an excipient, wetting agent, and dispersant in lipophilic bases, and is researched for use in drug delivery systems like vesicles and lipid nanoparticles.
· Industrial Applications: Used as a pigment dispersant in non-polar liquids for coatings, paints, adhesives, and textiles.
Origin:
Span 80 is a semi-synthetic, non-ionic surfactant. It is produced by the esterification of sorbitan (derived from sorbitol, a sugar alcohol) with oleic acid, a fatty acid commonly sourced from vegetable oils.
What does SPAN 80 do in a formulation?
Its primary functions are:
- Surfactant - Emulsifying (especially for W/O emulsions)
- Stabilizer
- Dispersing Agent
Safety Profile:
· General Assessment: Approved for use in food (E494), cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals by major regulatory bodies (FDA, EU). It is biodegradable.
· Skin Irritation: Classified as a skin irritant. However, allergic contact dermatitis from sorbitan esters is considered uncommon.
· Typical Use Levels: Recommended topical usage in cosmetics ranges from 0.5% to 5%.
Technical profile:
| Property | Values |
| Appearance | Light yellow to amber, viscous oily liquid |
| Odor | Characteristic fatty, oily, waxy odor |
| Solubility | .Water: Practically insoluble but dispersible. · Organic Solvents: Soluble/miscible in ethanol, isopropanol, ether, and fatty oils. |
| Specific Gravity/Density | ~0.986 g/mL at 25°C |
| Viscosity | 1000-2000 mPa.s at 20°C |
| HLB Value | 4.3, classifying it as strongly lipophilic and ideal for W/O emulsions |
| Stability & Storage | .Stability: Stable but combustible. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. · Storage: Store below +30°C |
Note: Detailed technical property tables for specific commercial brands (e.g., Croda's Span™ 80) on SpecialChem were locked behind a login and not publicly accessible
Summary:
Span 80 (Sorbitan Monooleate) is a versatile, lipophilic non-ionic surfactant essential for creating stable water-in-oil emulsions. Its low HLB value (4.3) makes it a key ingredient in cosmetic creams, food products, pharmaceutical bases, and industrial dispersions.