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Sorbitan Tristearate

What Sorbitan Tristearate is & what it does

Sorbitan Tristearate is an ester of sorbitol and stearic acid, a fatty acid derived from plant or animal oils. In sunscreens and creams it works as a nonionic emulsifier and stabilizer, helping to keep oil and water blended and pigments evenly suspended. A notable property is that its low water solubility makes it useful for thickening and stabilizing oil-rich formulas.

What does Sorbitan Tristearate do in skincare?

Sorbitan Tristearate is a nonionic emulsifier and stabilizer made from sorbitol and stearic acid. In creams and sunscreens it helps keep oil and water blended and pigments evenly suspended. It can also help thicken and stabilize oil-rich formulas.

Is Sorbitan Tristearate comedogenic?

Sorbitan Tristearate is generally regarded as low risk for clogging pores and is widely used as a mild emulsifier. Because it is a fatty-acid ester, very acne-prone skin can occasionally be more sensitive to rich emulsifier systems. Patch testing is a sensible step if you tend to break out.

Is Sorbitan Tristearate vegan?

Sorbitan Tristearate can be vegan when its stearic acid is plant-derived, for example from vegetable oils. However, stearic acid can also come from animal fats, so the source is not guaranteed by the name alone. Checking with the brand is the best way to confirm a vegan source.

Sunscreens with Sorbitan Tristearate

We rate 16 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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