Comparing E432 - Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate vs E435 - Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate

Synonyms
E432
Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate
Polysorbate 20
Alkest TW 20
Tween 20
PEG(20)sorbitan monolaurate
E435
Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate
Polysorbate 60
Products

Found in 105 products

Found in 5,912 products

Search rank & volume
#1527.9K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#1934.6K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×10.58
over-aware

×0.11
under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 6 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions
  1. Is polysorbate 20 safe for skin?

    Yes—it's widely used in cosmetics and is generally considered safe at typical use levels; regulatory reviews (e.g., Cosmetic Ingredient Review) support its safety, though some people may experience mild irritation or allergy.

  2. What is the cmc of tween 20?

    Approximately 0.007% w/v in water (~0.06 mM) at about 25°C; reported values vary with temperature, ionic strength, and formulation.

  3. Is polysorbate 20 safe?

    Yes—when used as a food additive within regulatory limits it’s considered safe; authorities such as JECFA have set an ADI of 0–25 mg/kg body weight per day for polysorbates.

  4. Is polysorbate 20 toxic?

    It has low toxicity at permitted food and cosmetic use levels; very high doses or parenteral exposure can cause adverse effects, and potential impurities (e.g., ethylene oxide/1,4-dioxane) are tightly controlled.

  5. Is polysorbate 20 natural?

    No—it's a synthetic surfactant made by ethoxylating sorbitan and esterifying with lauric acid, so it isn’t considered “natural,” even if some feedstocks are plant-derived.

  1. Is polysorbate 60 safe to eat?

    Yes—polysorbate 60 (E435) is approved as a food additive and considered safe at permitted levels; regulators have set an acceptable daily intake and typical exposure is well below it.

  2. Is polysorbate 60 toxic?

    It isn’t considered toxic at food-use levels; very high doses in studies can cause gastrointestinal effects, and rare hypersensitivity reactions are mostly linked to medical (injectable) use rather than foods.

  3. Is polysorbate 60 bad for you?

    For most people, no—consumption within regulatory limits isn’t associated with harm, though those avoiding synthetic emulsifiers or who are sensitive may choose to limit it.

  4. Is polysorbate 60 a dye?

    No—it's an emulsifier and stabiliser used to help oil and water mix and improve texture, not a colorant.

  5. Is polysorbate 60 natural?

    No—it’s a synthetic emulsifier made by reacting sorbitan and stearic acid with ethylene oxide; the stearic acid can be from plant or animal sources.