What Is Peg-40 Sorbitan Lanolate?
Peg-40 Sorbitan Lanolate is a modified form of lanolin that has been combined with sorbitan, a sugar-based ingredient, and then reacted with about 40 units of ethylene oxide. The result is a waxy yet water-friendly compound that works well in many skin and hair formulas.
The story of this material starts with lanolin, the natural oil that coats sheep’s wool. Chemists first extracted lanolin fatty acids for use in ointments, then discovered that linking them to sorbitan made a softer, less greasy ester. Later, adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains improved how easily the ingredient blends with water. By the late 1960s these PEG-sorbitan lanolin esters had become popular in toiletries and have remained a formulating staple ever since.
Manufacturing begins by heating sorbitan with purified lanolin fatty acids to create sorbitan lanolate. This ester is then treated with ethylene oxide in a controlled reaction until roughly 40 ethylene oxide units attach, giving the “Peg-40” label. The finished material is purified, cooled, and shipped as a soft paste or thick liquid.
You will most often see Peg-40 Sorbitan Lanolate in moisturizers, night creams, cleansing milks, makeup removers, leave-on hair conditioners, shower gels, sheet masks, and anti aging serums where a balance of oil and water phases is needed.
Peg-40 Sorbitan Lanolate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient pulls double duty in a formula, helping both the product and your skin perform at their best
- Cleansing: Its mild surfactant nature lifts away dirt, excess oil and makeup without stripping the skin’s own moisture, making cleansers and makeup removers feel soft and non-tightening
- Emulsifying: It binds water and oil into a stable, creamy mixture so lotions stay smooth, masks do not separate and active ingredients spread evenly for consistent results
Who Can Use Peg-40 Sorbitan Lanolate
Because it is both mild and moisturizing Peg-40 Sorbitan Lanolate suits most skin types including normal dry combination and even many sensitive skins. Its gentle cleansing action does not strip the acid mantle and the emulsifying properties help formulas feel light rather than greasy.
That said anyone with a known allergy to lanolin or wool-derived ingredients should avoid it since the lanolin fatty acids in its backbone can trigger the same reactions. Very acne-prone users might also prefer to limit heavy leave-on products that contain this material because any lanolin ester carries a small chance of clogging pores in susceptible skin.
The ingredient is sourced from lanolin which comes from sheep wool so it is not considered vegan. Vegetarians who are comfortable with non-lethal animal by-products may still choose to use it.
There is no specific evidence that Peg-40 Sorbitan Lanolate poses a risk during pregnancy or while breastfeeding because it is used topically and has a high molecular weight that limits skin penetration. Still this is not medical advice and pregnant or nursing individuals should check with their healthcare professional before adding any new product to their routine.
Peg-40 Sorbitan Lanolate does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight and there are no known interactions with common active ingredients like retinoids or vitamin C.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Peg-40 Sorbitan Lanolate vary from person to person. The following are potential but uncommon effects when the ingredient has been properly formulated and used as directed.
- Skin irritation – stinging or redness can occur on very sensitive or compromised skin barriers
- Allergic contact dermatitis – rare but possible in individuals allergic to lanolin or wool derivatives
- Clogged pores or folliculitis – a small risk in oily or acne-prone skin due to its fatty acid content
- Eye irritation – watering or burning if the product accidently gets into the eyes
If any discomfort rash or prolonged irritation develops stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 2/5 – The lanolin fatty acids in Peg-40 Sorbitan Lanolate bring a mild tendency to sit in pores, yet the large PEG and sorbitan portions keep it mostly water loving and less likely to pack tightly on the skin. Most users will not notice clogged pores, but those who break out easily might want lighter alternatives. Overall it is considered low to moderate on the pore-clogging scale.
Because its molecules are partly oily but partly water soluble, the ingredient can form breathable films rather than heavy occlusive layers. This balance helps explain why it rarely triggers acne compared with pure lanolin. Formulation level also matters: cleansers rinse away, while rich leave-ons stay longer and could tip the scale for very oily skin.
Summary
Peg-40 Sorbitan Lanolate cleans and emulsifies in one shot. Its surfactant side lifts dirt and makeup while its emulsifying side marries water with oils so creams stay smooth and spreadable. The PEG chains add water affinity, the sorbitan core lends mildness, and the lanolin fatty acids provide a touch of conditioning slip.
Though not a headliner like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, this workhorse quietly powers many cleansers, lotions and hair conditioners sold on shelves today because it solves two formulating challenges at once without a big price tag.
Safety data and decades of use show it to be well tolerated for most skin types with only rare irritation or allergy. As with any new skincare ingredient, try a patch test when first using products that contain Peg-40 Sorbitan Lanolate to make sure your skin stays happy.