Common Name(s): Sorbitan sesquistearate,sorbitan 1.5-stearate,span-type stearate sesquiester

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Helps oil and water form stable emulsions, especially in rich creams and butters.

Why It's Used: The stearate sesquiester provides structured w/o emulsification with a waxy texture contribution; hlb between sorbitan mono- and distearate.

How It Works: C18 stearate chain provides solid (waxy) character at room temperature; sesquiester degree gives hlb ~4–5; suitable for w/o emulsification with structure contribution.

Typically Found In: Rich creams,w/o emulsions,body butters

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – emulsifier

Secondary Functions: Emollient,skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–5%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - feedstock declaration required

Halal Status: Unverified - feedstock declaration required (plant, animal and petrochemical routes all exist)

Source Notes: Stearic acid from palm/soy; sorbitan from plant sorbitol. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: origin-dependent: the same inci exists in plant, animal and petrochemical versions and the name does not discriminate. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – low

Sensitivity Concerns: Generally well tolerated.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile. ewg score: 1.

Works Well With: Polysorbates,fatty alcohols,high-hlb emulsifiers

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Sorbitan sesquistearate sits between span 60 (sorbitan monostearate, hlb 4.7) and the much lower hlb distearate; the 1.5:1 esterification ratio provides intermediate lipophilicity for w/o emulsification.

Last Verified: 2026-03-27

Primary Sources: Cosing database,inci dictionary