Sorbitan Sesquioleate (Span 83) – Gentle Skin Emulsifier

Overview

Chemical Nature

Specialized surfactant consisting of mono- and di-esters of sorbitan and oleic acid.
Appearance & Specs

Viscous yellow liquid | HLB Value: 3.7
★ Primary Application (Personal Care)

Exceptional Mildness. Renowned for low irritation potential. The industry standard emulsifier for pediatric and sensitive skin formulations.
Color Cosmetics

Highly effective at dispersing pigments in makeup and color cosmetics.
Key Functions

Robust W/O Emulsifier & Pigment Dispersant.

Molecular Structure

Structural Components

Hydrophilic Core: Sorbitan moiety.

Hydrophobic Moiety: Oleic acid esterified in a specific “sesquioleate” ratio (mixture of mono- and di-esters).
★ Mechanism of Action

Balanced Compatibility. The long-chain unsaturated hydrocarbon groups provide strong oil compatibility and a viscous consistency. This structure balances lipophilic character with limited hydrophilicity, enabling efficient interaction at oil–water interfaces.

Specifications:

Before diving into technical details, it’s important to highlight that Sorbitan Sesquioleate offers more than basic emulsifying performance. Its multifunctional nature enhances formulation texture, stability, and dispersibility—especially in fat-rich systems and cosmetic formulations with rich, occlusive properties.
Key attributes:

Yellow viscous liquid appearance
Minimal or faint characteristic odor
Insoluble in water but readily dispersible in oils and compatible with ethanol, ethyl acetate, petroleum solvents, and toluene
HLB around 3.7, ideal for water-in-oil emulsions
Functions as emulsifier, thickening agent, emulsifying stabilizer, emollient, and lubricant

Test Item	Unit	Minimum Value	Maximum Value
HLB value	——	3.7
Saponification Value	mgKOH/g	143	165
Iodine Value	mgKOH/g	182	220
Acid Value	mgKOH/g	—	14
Moisture	%	—	1
Fatty Acids	w%	74	80
Polyol	w%	22	28

Download TDS

Applications:

Sorbitan Sesquioleate serves a wide range of roles across multiple industries:

Baby Care & Sensitive Skin: Used in diaper creams, baby lotions, and hypoallergenic moisturizers due to its gentle, non-irritating nature.
Color Cosmetics (Makeup): Acts as a pigment wetting agent and dispersant in foundations, lipsticks, and liquid makeup, ensuring even color distribution.
Sunscreens: Stabilizes water-resistant sunscreen formulations (W/O emulsions) while improving spreadability on the skin.

Hypoallergenic & Mild

Span 83 is celebrated for its low irritation profile. It is the go-to emulsifier for formulations targeting delicate infant skin or compromised skin barriers.

Pigment Dispersion

Its unique oleic structure provides excellent wetting of iron oxides and pigments. This prevents clumping in makeup, resulting in smooth, streak-free foundations and lipsticks.

Water-in-Oil Stability

With an HLB of 3.7, it creates stable, glossy W/O emulsions that provide a protective, moisturizing film without feeling overly greasy or heavy.

Liquid Versatility

Being a liquid at room temperature, it is easy to incorporate into oil phases during cold or hot processing, offering manufacturing flexibility compared to solid waxes.

Gentle baby cream application, highlighting the mild and hypoallergenic properties of Sorbitan Sesquioleate

storage & package:

Storage:
Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat.
Avoid contact with harmful or incompatible substances. Handle with care during transportation to prevent leakage or contamination.

Transportation:
Transport as a general chemical product, following standard safety and handling procedures.

Package:
Sorbitan Sesquioleate is packed in high-quality PE drums with double-seal lids.
Standard packaging sizes include 25kg/drum, 200kg/drum, and 1000kg IBC tote to meet different usage needs.

Sorbitan Sesquioleate (Span 83) – Gentle Skin Emulsifier

Overview

Molecular Structure

Specifications: