Polysorbate 20
Polysorbate 20
Polysorbate 20 (Solubiliser for Essential Oils and Fragrance)
Our Polysorbate 20 is a mild, non-ionic surfactant made from sorbitan and fatty acids (mainly lauric acid). It is a popular solubiliser for dispersing essential oils and fragrance oils in water, so the scent does not float on top.
It is used in room sprays, linen sprays, body mists, toners, bath products, shower gels and shampoos wherever oil and water need to mix. It is best in formulas with a low oil content.
|
Non-ionic solubiliser Water-dispersible scent |
Room and body sprays Clear water-based mists |
Use up to about 5% Best with low oil content |
100 ml to 1 L Four pack sizes |
Safety information: for external (cosmetic) use only. Keep out of reach of children and keep away from the eyes. It is a raw ingredient, not a finished product. See Safety below and the Safety Data Sheet in the Product Documents section at the end of this page.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Polysorbate 20 |
| INCI | Polysorbate 20 |
| Type | Non-ionic surfactant, solubiliser and emulsifier |
| Appearance | Pale yellow to yellow-amber oily liquid |
| HLB | About 16.7 (typical) |
| Solubility | Soluble in water and alcohol. Oil soluble to a lesser degree |
| Solubilising guide | About 10 g solubilises up to about 3 g of essential or fragrance oil. Test your own oil |
| Typical use rate | Up to about 5% in finished products. Test your own recipe |
| Suitable for | Room and linen sprays, body mists, toners, bath oils, shower gels, shampoos, cream preparations |
| Pack Sizes | 100 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml, 1 L |
| Storage | Sealed, cool and dry, away from heat and sunlight |
| Use | Raw material for makers. Formulation, preservation, safety assessment and labelling of finished products are the maker's responsibility. Not for internal use |
Uses
| Use | How it is used |
|---|---|
| Room sprays | Mix with fragrance or essential oil first, then add water. Preserve the spray |
| Linen sprays and body mists | Disperses scent into water. Test on fabric and skin before use |
| Toners and facial mists | Used at low rates with skin-safe ingredients. Patch test |
| Bath oils and soaks | Helps oils disperse into bath water. Oils can make the tub slippery |
| Shower gels and shampoos | Helps scent mix into washes. Test your own recipe |
| Cream preparations | A co-emulsifier at low rates. Test your own recipe |
How to Make a Simple Room Spray
- Weigh. Weigh the Polysorbate 20 and the essential oil or fragrance into a clean glass or plastic container. A common maker guide is that about 10 g of polysorbate solubilises up to 3 g of oil, so start at about 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil.
- Mix the oil. Stir the oil and polysorbate together until completely smooth and clear.
- Add the water. Add the water slowly while stirring. Distilled or deionised water gives the clearest result.
- Check clarity. If the mix is cloudy, increase the polysorbate a little or use less oil.
- Preserve. Add a suitable preservatives, as water-based sprays can grow mould and bacteria.
- Bottle and test. Pour into a clean bottle, shake before use and test the clarity again after 24 hours.
Tip: A simple starting recipe: 1 part Polysorbate 20 to 9 parts water (10% polysorbate), with up to 3% essential or fragrance oil. Preserve it, and shake before use.
Using It in Sprays, Washes & Bath Products ▼
These are common maker starting points, not fixed rules. Results vary with your recipe, so always test a small batch first.
| Use | Starting amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room or linen spray | About 10% polysorbate with up to 3% oil | Mix oil and polysorbate first, then add water slowly. Preserve. |
| Body mist or toner | Low rate, as little as clears the mix | Use skin-safe oils at appropriate levels. Patch test. |
| Bath oil or soak | As needed to disperse the oil | Mix with the oil first. Oils can make the tub slippery. |
| Shower gel or shampoo | About 1-5% | Helps scent mix in. Test the clarity. |
| Cream or lotion | About 0.5-3% as a co-emulsifier | Use alongside a main emulsifier. |
Tips & Troubleshooting ▼
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudy spray | Too little polysorbate or too much oil | Increase the polysorbate or reduce the oil. |
| Oil floats on top | Not enough solubiliser, or water added too quickly | Mix oil and polysorbate first, then add water slowly. |
| Spray goes cloudy over time | Cold storage or ageing | Warm gently and shake. Reduce the oil if it keeps happening. |
| Scent is weak | Oil too low, or lost in solution | Increase the oil and the polysorbate together. |
| Skin feels irritated | Fragrance level too high | Lower the fragrance and patch test. |
| Spray spoils | Water-based products can grow mould and bacteria | Use clean tools, distilled water and a suitable preservative. |
Safety & Selling Your Products ▼
This product is a cosmetic raw material for external use only. Do not swallow it, keep it out of reach of children and keep it away from the eyes. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling the concentrated product, patch test finished products before first use and stop using a product if irritation occurs.
Polysorbates are raw ingredients and are not for use neat on skin. Water-based sprays need a suitable preservative. Do not spray around the eyes or into the face, and always follow the safety data for the essential oils you add.
Selling what you make? This is a raw material for makers. The formulation, preservation, safety assessment, labelling and any regulatory requirements for your finished cosmetics or soap (including the NZ cosmetic rules) are your responsibility, and health or treatment claims should not be made for your products. Contact us at info@purefx.co.nz if you need product information.
Frequently Asked Questions ▼
What does Polysorbate 20 do?
It helps oils such as essential oil and fragrance mix into water, so scent stays evenly dispersed.
How much do I use?
About 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil is a common starting point (10 g solubilises up to about 3 g of oil). Some oils need more.
What is the difference between Polysorbate 20, 60 and 80?
They are related surfactants made from different fatty acids. Polysorbate 20 is a good solubiliser for scent and is best in low-oil formulas. Polysorbate 80 handles more oil, and Polysorbate 60 is a thicker, oil-based emulsifier.
Can I use it on skin?
Only in properly formulated products. It is a raw ingredient and should not be used neat on skin.
Does it need a preservative?
Yes. Anything containing water needs a suitable preservative.
Is it vegan?
It is made from sorbitol and fatty acids. We have not independently verified vegan status, so please ask us before making a vegan claim.
How should I store it?
Sealed, in a cool, dry place away from heat and sunlight.
Is it for internal use?
No. It is sold for external cosmetic use only.
Sizes & Price
| Pack | Price | Price per 100 ml |
|---|---|---|
| 100 ml | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| 200 ml | $7.00 | $3.50 |
| 500 ml | $10.00 | $2.00 |
| 1 L | $18.00 | $1.80 |
Pairs Well With
Pair with essential oils, fragrance oils or hydrosols, and add vegetable glycerine or aloe vera gel. Alternatives for solubilising oils are Polysorbate 80 and PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil. Preserve with Geogard 221 or phenoxyethanol. Browse plastic bottles and emulsifiers and thickeners. |
 Product Documents
|
Couldn't load pickup availability
Polysorbate 20 (Solubiliser for Essential Oils and Fragrance)
Our Polysorbate 20 is a mild, non-ionic surfactant made from sorbitan and fatty acids (mainly lauric acid). It is a popular solubiliser for dispersing essential oils and fragrance oils in water, so the scent does not float on top.
It is used in room sprays, linen sprays, body mists, toners, bath products, shower gels and shampoos wherever oil and water need to mix. It is best in formulas with a low oil content.
|
Non-ionic solubiliser Water-dispersible scent |
Room and body sprays Clear water-based mists |
Use up to about 5% Best with low oil content |
100 ml to 1 L Four pack sizes |
Safety information: for external (cosmetic) use only. Keep out of reach of children and keep away from the eyes. It is a raw ingredient, not a finished product. See Safety below and the Safety Data Sheet in the Product Documents section at the end of this page.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Polysorbate 20 |
| INCI | Polysorbate 20 |
| Type | Non-ionic surfactant, solubiliser and emulsifier |
| Appearance | Pale yellow to yellow-amber oily liquid |
| HLB | About 16.7 (typical) |
| Solubility | Soluble in water and alcohol. Oil soluble to a lesser degree |
| Solubilising guide | About 10 g solubilises up to about 3 g of essential or fragrance oil. Test your own oil |
| Typical use rate | Up to about 5% in finished products. Test your own recipe |
| Suitable for | Room and linen sprays, body mists, toners, bath oils, shower gels, shampoos, cream preparations |
| Pack Sizes | 100 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml, 1 L |
| Storage | Sealed, cool and dry, away from heat and sunlight |
| Use | Raw material for makers. Formulation, preservation, safety assessment and labelling of finished products are the maker's responsibility. Not for internal use |
Uses
| Use | How it is used |
|---|---|
| Room sprays | Mix with fragrance or essential oil first, then add water. Preserve the spray |
| Linen sprays and body mists | Disperses scent into water. Test on fabric and skin before use |
| Toners and facial mists | Used at low rates with skin-safe ingredients. Patch test |
| Bath oils and soaks | Helps oils disperse into bath water. Oils can make the tub slippery |
| Shower gels and shampoos | Helps scent mix into washes. Test your own recipe |
| Cream preparations | A co-emulsifier at low rates. Test your own recipe |
How to Make a Simple Room Spray
- Weigh. Weigh the Polysorbate 20 and the essential oil or fragrance into a clean glass or plastic container. A common maker guide is that about 10 g of polysorbate solubilises up to 3 g of oil, so start at about 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil.
- Mix the oil. Stir the oil and polysorbate together until completely smooth and clear.
- Add the water. Add the water slowly while stirring. Distilled or deionised water gives the clearest result.
- Check clarity. If the mix is cloudy, increase the polysorbate a little or use less oil.
- Preserve. Add a suitable preservatives, as water-based sprays can grow mould and bacteria.
- Bottle and test. Pour into a clean bottle, shake before use and test the clarity again after 24 hours.
Tip: A simple starting recipe: 1 part Polysorbate 20 to 9 parts water (10% polysorbate), with up to 3% essential or fragrance oil. Preserve it, and shake before use.
Using It in Sprays, Washes & Bath Products ▼
These are common maker starting points, not fixed rules. Results vary with your recipe, so always test a small batch first.
| Use | Starting amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room or linen spray | About 10% polysorbate with up to 3% oil | Mix oil and polysorbate first, then add water slowly. Preserve. |
| Body mist or toner | Low rate, as little as clears the mix | Use skin-safe oils at appropriate levels. Patch test. |
| Bath oil or soak | As needed to disperse the oil | Mix with the oil first. Oils can make the tub slippery. |
| Shower gel or shampoo | About 1-5% | Helps scent mix in. Test the clarity. |
| Cream or lotion | About 0.5-3% as a co-emulsifier | Use alongside a main emulsifier. |
Tips & Troubleshooting ▼
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudy spray | Too little polysorbate or too much oil | Increase the polysorbate or reduce the oil. |
| Oil floats on top | Not enough solubiliser, or water added too quickly | Mix oil and polysorbate first, then add water slowly. |
| Spray goes cloudy over time | Cold storage or ageing | Warm gently and shake. Reduce the oil if it keeps happening. |
| Scent is weak | Oil too low, or lost in solution | Increase the oil and the polysorbate together. |
| Skin feels irritated | Fragrance level too high | Lower the fragrance and patch test. |
| Spray spoils | Water-based products can grow mould and bacteria | Use clean tools, distilled water and a suitable preservative. |
Safety & Selling Your Products ▼
This product is a cosmetic raw material for external use only. Do not swallow it, keep it out of reach of children and keep it away from the eyes. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling the concentrated product, patch test finished products before first use and stop using a product if irritation occurs.
Polysorbates are raw ingredients and are not for use neat on skin. Water-based sprays need a suitable preservative. Do not spray around the eyes or into the face, and always follow the safety data for the essential oils you add.
Selling what you make? This is a raw material for makers. The formulation, preservation, safety assessment, labelling and any regulatory requirements for your finished cosmetics or soap (including the NZ cosmetic rules) are your responsibility, and health or treatment claims should not be made for your products. Contact us at info@purefx.co.nz if you need product information.
Frequently Asked Questions ▼
What does Polysorbate 20 do?
It helps oils such as essential oil and fragrance mix into water, so scent stays evenly dispersed.
How much do I use?
About 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil is a common starting point (10 g solubilises up to about 3 g of oil). Some oils need more.
What is the difference between Polysorbate 20, 60 and 80?
They are related surfactants made from different fatty acids. Polysorbate 20 is a good solubiliser for scent and is best in low-oil formulas. Polysorbate 80 handles more oil, and Polysorbate 60 is a thicker, oil-based emulsifier.
Can I use it on skin?
Only in properly formulated products. It is a raw ingredient and should not be used neat on skin.
Does it need a preservative?
Yes. Anything containing water needs a suitable preservative.
Is it vegan?
It is made from sorbitol and fatty acids. We have not independently verified vegan status, so please ask us before making a vegan claim.
How should I store it?
Sealed, in a cool, dry place away from heat and sunlight.
Is it for internal use?
No. It is sold for external cosmetic use only.
Sizes & Price
| Pack | Price | Price per 100 ml |
|---|---|---|
| 100 ml | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| 200 ml | $7.00 | $3.50 |
| 500 ml | $10.00 | $2.00 |
| 1 L | $18.00 | $1.80 |
Pairs Well With
Pair with essential oils, fragrance oils or hydrosols, and add vegetable glycerine or aloe vera gel. Alternatives for solubilising oils are Polysorbate 80 and PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil. Preserve with Geogard 221 or phenoxyethanol. Browse plastic bottles and emulsifiers and thickeners. |
|
Product Documents
|
