Comparing E433 - Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate vs E432 - Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate

Synonyms
E433
Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate
Polysorbate 80
E432
Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate
Polysorbate 20
Alkest TW 20
Tween 20
PEG(20)sorbitan monolaurate
Products

Found in 5,529 products

Found in 105 products

Search rank & volume
#10818.1K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#1527.9K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×0.48
under-aware

×10.58
over-aware

Search volume over time

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

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

Popular questions
  1. Is polysorbate 80 safe?

    Yes—at approved levels it’s considered safe by regulators such as the FDA and EFSA, which set an ADI of 0–25 mg/kg body weight/day. Rare hypersensitivity reactions have been reported, and very high doses may cause gastrointestinal upset.

  2. What is polysorbate 80 used for?

    It’s an emulsifier and stabilizer that helps oil and water mix, prevents separation, and improves texture. In foods it stabilizes flavors and colors and improves whipping and melt resistance in products like ice cream.

  3. Is polysorbate 80 bad for you?

    Not at typical food-use levels: it’s permitted with safety limits and isn’t linked to harm for the general population. Some people may be sensitive, and effects seen in animals at high doses are well above normal dietary exposure.

  4. Is polysorbate 80 natural?

    No. It’s a synthetic ingredient made from sorbitan (from sorbitol) reacted with ethylene oxide and oleic acid that can be sourced from plants or animals.

  5. What foods contain polysorbate 80?

    It’s commonly found in ice cream and other frozen desserts, salad dressings and sauces, flavored beverages and coffee creamers, whipped toppings, and some bakery mixes, icings, and confectionery.

  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.