SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE- ▸ Emulsifier: Stabilizes water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions in personal-care products.
- ▸ Co-emulsifier: Works with other surfactants to refine emulsion texture and stability.
- ▸ Dispersant: Aids dispersion of pigments and actives in oil-phase formulations.
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →Sorbitan isostearate (CAS 71902-01-7) is a nonionic ester of sorbitol and isostearic acid. PubChem (CIR ingredient: Sorbitan Isostearate) documents its use as an emulsifying agent in cosmetic and personal-care formulations.
Applications of Sorbitan Isostearate
| Sector | Use |
|---|---|
| Personal care & cosmetics | A water-in-oil emulsifier and pigment-wetting/dispersing agent valued in color cosmetics, sunscreens and rich emulsions. |
| Pharmaceutical & life science | A nonionic W/O emulsifier excipient for topical formulations. |
| Industrial | Emulsifier and dispersant for oil-continuous and pigmented systems. |
HLB and grade selection
Sorbitan Isostearate has an HLB of ~4.7, so it is lipophilic and oil-soluble and favours water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. It is the oil-soluble partner to a hydrophilic polysorbate: pairing it with a hydrophilic polysorbate (e.g. Polysorbate 80) lets you set a target system HLB for a stable emulsion, and it also serves as a consistency factor and dispersant. Grades range from multicompendial pharmaceutical (NF / USP / EP) and food (FCC) to technical/industrial, with kosher and halal certification available; match the grade and compendial status to your application and jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sorbitan isostearate used for?
Sorbitan isooctadecanoate, known as sorbitan isostearate (CAS 71902-01-7), is a nonionic ester of sorbitol and isostearic acid used as an emulsifying agent in cosmetic and personal-care formulations. It stabilizes both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions, works as a co-emulsifier to refine texture, and aids dispersion of pigments and actives in oil-phase systems.
What is another name for sorbitan isooctadecanoate?
It is most commonly listed by its INCI name, sorbitan isostearate (CAS 71902-01-7); isooctadecanoate is the systematic name for the isostearate ester. It is one of the branched-chain members of the sorbitan ester family.
What is sorbitan monooleate used for, and how does it differ from sorbitan isostearate?
Both are nonionic sorbitan ester emulsifiers. Sorbitan isostearate is the isostearic-acid ester; sorbitan monooleate is the oleic-acid ester. They differ in fatty-acid chain and HLB, which shifts emulsion type and texture; choose based on your oil phase and target emulsion. We supply both as separate products with their own CoA.
Is sorbitan isostearate an ionic or nonionic surfactant?
It is a nonionic surfactant, a sorbitol ester carrying no charge. This makes it compatible across a wide pH range and with both anionic and cationic ingredients in emulsion systems. Refer to the technical data sheet for HLB and the SDS for handling.
What is the cost of bulk sorbitan isostearate?
Bulk pricing depends on order volume and packaging (pails, drums, or totes). Submit a bulk RFQ with your quantity and delivery point and we will return a current quote with Certificate of Analysis and SDS.
