Safety Assessment of Sorbitan Esters as Used in Cosmetics

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (Panel) assessed the safety of 20 sorbitan esters; this report included sorbitan esters that were reviewed in 1985 and 2002, as well as 3 previously unreviewed sorbitan esters (sorbitan undecylenate, sorbitan sesquicaprylate, and sorbitan palmate). Most of the sorbitan esters are reported to function in cosmetics as surfactant-emulsifying agents. The Panel reviewed the data from previous sorbitan ester reports, as well as additional data included in this report, to determine the safety of these ingredients. The Panel concluded that the sorbitan esters included in this safety assessment are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration.

A Phase-Selective Supramolecular Gelator as Oil Solidifier

A simple sugar-derived supramolecular gelator of 1,6-dicaprylate sorbitan ester was designed and prepared as new oil solidifier. The gelation tests revealed that the gelator can gel or phase-selectively gel fuel oils, edible oils and some organic solvents. And the SEM images showed the structure of 3D fiber network was formed in the process of gelation. What’s more, the rate of oil removal in water was 85% and the recovery rate of spilled oils reached up to 60.29%.