Polysorbate 80
Polysorbate 80
Polysorbate 80 (Solubiliser and Dispersant for Oils)
Our Polysorbate 80 is a non-ionic surfactant made from sorbitol and oleic acid. It helps oil-based and water-based ingredients mix, and it is soluble in water and alcohol but not in oil.
Makers use it to solubilise essential oils and fragrances, to make carrier oils water-dispersible, to disperse bath oils and bath bomb colour, and to improve the wash-off of cleansing oils and balms. It handles higher oil levels than Polysorbate 20.
|
Non-ionic solubiliser Water and alcohol soluble |
Bath oils and bath bombs Cleansing oils and balms |
Handles more oil Than Polysorbate 20 |
100 ml to 4 L Six 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 80 |
| INCI | Polysorbate 80 |
| Type | Non-ionic surfactant, solubiliser and emulsifier |
| Appearance | Yellow to amber, thick oily liquid |
| HLB | About 15 (typical) |
| Solubility | Soluble in water and alcohol. Insoluble in oils |
| Solubilising guide | Start at about 1 to 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil, and test. Some oils need more |
| Typical use rate | About 1-10% depending on the product. Around 10% is common in cleansing oils and balms. Test your own recipe |
| Suitable for | Bath oils, bath bombs, lotions, body washes, hair creams, conditioners, shampoos, scrubs, cleansing oils and balms, body and linen sprays |
| Pack Sizes | 100 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml, 1 L, 2 L, 4 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 |
|---|---|
| Bath oils | Mix with carrier oil so it disperses into bath water. Oils can make the tub slippery |
| Bath bombs | Helps disperse colour and oils. Mix with the liquid oils before adding to the dry mix |
| Cleansing oils and balms | About 10% improves wash-off and cleansing. Test your own recipe |
| Essential oil and fragrance solubilising | Helps scent mix into water-based products. Test the clarity |
| Body and linen sprays | Disperses fragrance in water. Preserve the spray |
| Lotions, hair creams and conditioners | Helps combine oils and water. Test your own recipe |
How to Make a Simple Dispersing Bath Oil
- Weigh. Weigh your carrier oil, essential oil and Polysorbate 80. A common starting point is about 1 to 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil.
- Combine. Stir the polysorbate into the oils until smooth and clear.
- Test in water. Add a teaspoon of the mix to a glass of water. The oil should disperse and the water look evenly cloudy or clear, with no oil slick.
- Adjust. If oil floats on top, add more polysorbate to the next batch.
- Bottle. Pour into a clean bottle. If you add water, include a suitable preservatives.
- Use. Add a small amount to the bath while the water runs and test the amount for your recipe.
Tip: Oils can make baths and tubs slippery. Use a bath mat, and rinse the tub after use.
Using It in Bath, Cleansing & Spray 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bath oils | About 1 to 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil | Test dispersion in a glass of water before using it in the bath. |
| Bath bombs | Test small amounts | Mix with the liquid oils first. Helps colour and oil disperse. |
| Cleansing oils and balms | About 10% | Improves wash-off. Test the feel. |
| Body or linen sprays | About 1 to 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil | Mix with the oil first, then add water slowly. Preserve. |
| Lotions and hair creams | About 1-5% | Helps combine oils and water. Test your own recipe. |
Tips & Troubleshooting ▼
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Oil floats in the bath | Not enough polysorbate | Increase the polysorbate in the next batch and test dispersion in water. |
| Cloudy spray | Too much oil for the solubiliser | Increase the polysorbate or reduce the oil. |
| Bath bomb stains the tub | Colour not well dispersed | Add a little polysorbate to the liquid ingredients and mix well. |
| Cleansing oil is hard to wash off | Not enough polysorbate | Increase the polysorbate toward about 10% and test. |
| Product spoils | Water-based products can grow mould and bacteria | Use clean tools and add a suitable preservative. |
| Skin feels irritated | Reaction to the formula | Patch test and lower the fragrance level. |
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. Oils make baths and tubs slippery. Water-based sprays need a suitable preservative.
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 80 do?
It helps oils mix with water, so it is used to disperse bath oils, solubilise scent and improve wash-off of cleansing oils.
How much do I use?
About 1 to 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil for solubilising, and about 10% in cleansing oils and balms. Always test.
What is the difference between Polysorbate 20 and 80?
Both help oils mix with water. Polysorbate 20 is best for low-oil scent solutions, and Polysorbate 80 handles more oil, such as bath oils and cleansing oils.
Can I use it in bath bombs?
Yes. It helps disperse colour and oils. Mix it with the liquid oils before adding to the dry mix.
Does it dissolve in oil?
No. It is soluble in water and alcohol, and insoluble in oils, so mix it into the oil to make it dispersible.
Does it need a preservative?
Yes, for water-based products.
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 | $7.50 | $3.75 |
| 500 ml | $12.20 | $2.44 |
| 1 L | $17.00 | $1.70 |
| 2 L | $32.00 | $1.60 |
| 4 L | $61.00 | $1.52 |
Pairs Well With
Pair with carrier oils, essential oils and fragrance oils, and add vegetable glycerine or lavender essential oil. Use with SLSA or citric acid, and see our bath bomb ingredients. Alternatives are Polysorbate 20 and PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil. Preserve with Geogard 221 or phenoxyethanol. Browse emulsifiers and thickeners. |
 Product Documents
|
Couldn't load pickup availability
Polysorbate 80 (Solubiliser and Dispersant for Oils)
Our Polysorbate 80 is a non-ionic surfactant made from sorbitol and oleic acid. It helps oil-based and water-based ingredients mix, and it is soluble in water and alcohol but not in oil.
Makers use it to solubilise essential oils and fragrances, to make carrier oils water-dispersible, to disperse bath oils and bath bomb colour, and to improve the wash-off of cleansing oils and balms. It handles higher oil levels than Polysorbate 20.
|
Non-ionic solubiliser Water and alcohol soluble |
Bath oils and bath bombs Cleansing oils and balms |
Handles more oil Than Polysorbate 20 |
100 ml to 4 L Six 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 80 |
| INCI | Polysorbate 80 |
| Type | Non-ionic surfactant, solubiliser and emulsifier |
| Appearance | Yellow to amber, thick oily liquid |
| HLB | About 15 (typical) |
| Solubility | Soluble in water and alcohol. Insoluble in oils |
| Solubilising guide | Start at about 1 to 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil, and test. Some oils need more |
| Typical use rate | About 1-10% depending on the product. Around 10% is common in cleansing oils and balms. Test your own recipe |
| Suitable for | Bath oils, bath bombs, lotions, body washes, hair creams, conditioners, shampoos, scrubs, cleansing oils and balms, body and linen sprays |
| Pack Sizes | 100 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml, 1 L, 2 L, 4 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 |
|---|---|
| Bath oils | Mix with carrier oil so it disperses into bath water. Oils can make the tub slippery |
| Bath bombs | Helps disperse colour and oils. Mix with the liquid oils before adding to the dry mix |
| Cleansing oils and balms | About 10% improves wash-off and cleansing. Test your own recipe |
| Essential oil and fragrance solubilising | Helps scent mix into water-based products. Test the clarity |
| Body and linen sprays | Disperses fragrance in water. Preserve the spray |
| Lotions, hair creams and conditioners | Helps combine oils and water. Test your own recipe |
How to Make a Simple Dispersing Bath Oil
- Weigh. Weigh your carrier oil, essential oil and Polysorbate 80. A common starting point is about 1 to 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil.
- Combine. Stir the polysorbate into the oils until smooth and clear.
- Test in water. Add a teaspoon of the mix to a glass of water. The oil should disperse and the water look evenly cloudy or clear, with no oil slick.
- Adjust. If oil floats on top, add more polysorbate to the next batch.
- Bottle. Pour into a clean bottle. If you add water, include a suitable preservatives.
- Use. Add a small amount to the bath while the water runs and test the amount for your recipe.
Tip: Oils can make baths and tubs slippery. Use a bath mat, and rinse the tub after use.
Using It in Bath, Cleansing & Spray 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bath oils | About 1 to 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil | Test dispersion in a glass of water before using it in the bath. |
| Bath bombs | Test small amounts | Mix with the liquid oils first. Helps colour and oil disperse. |
| Cleansing oils and balms | About 10% | Improves wash-off. Test the feel. |
| Body or linen sprays | About 1 to 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil | Mix with the oil first, then add water slowly. Preserve. |
| Lotions and hair creams | About 1-5% | Helps combine oils and water. Test your own recipe. |
Tips & Troubleshooting ▼
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Oil floats in the bath | Not enough polysorbate | Increase the polysorbate in the next batch and test dispersion in water. |
| Cloudy spray | Too much oil for the solubiliser | Increase the polysorbate or reduce the oil. |
| Bath bomb stains the tub | Colour not well dispersed | Add a little polysorbate to the liquid ingredients and mix well. |
| Cleansing oil is hard to wash off | Not enough polysorbate | Increase the polysorbate toward about 10% and test. |
| Product spoils | Water-based products can grow mould and bacteria | Use clean tools and add a suitable preservative. |
| Skin feels irritated | Reaction to the formula | Patch test and lower the fragrance level. |
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. Oils make baths and tubs slippery. Water-based sprays need a suitable preservative.
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 80 do?
It helps oils mix with water, so it is used to disperse bath oils, solubilise scent and improve wash-off of cleansing oils.
How much do I use?
About 1 to 3 parts polysorbate to 1 part oil for solubilising, and about 10% in cleansing oils and balms. Always test.
What is the difference between Polysorbate 20 and 80?
Both help oils mix with water. Polysorbate 20 is best for low-oil scent solutions, and Polysorbate 80 handles more oil, such as bath oils and cleansing oils.
Can I use it in bath bombs?
Yes. It helps disperse colour and oils. Mix it with the liquid oils before adding to the dry mix.
Does it dissolve in oil?
No. It is soluble in water and alcohol, and insoluble in oils, so mix it into the oil to make it dispersible.
Does it need a preservative?
Yes, for water-based products.
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 | $7.50 | $3.75 |
| 500 ml | $12.20 | $2.44 |
| 1 L | $17.00 | $1.70 |
| 2 L | $32.00 | $1.60 |
| 4 L | $61.00 | $1.52 |
Pairs Well With
Pair with carrier oils, essential oils and fragrance oils, and add vegetable glycerine or lavender essential oil. Use with SLSA or citric acid, and see our bath bomb ingredients. Alternatives are Polysorbate 20 and PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil. Preserve with Geogard 221 or phenoxyethanol. Browse emulsifiers and thickeners. |
|
Product Documents
|
