Polysorbate 20
Polysorbate 20 is a surfactant and emulsifying ingredient. It’s in 599 products on Poliage, most often exfoliant, body wash and serum. Avoid lists on Poliage that include it: none.
Updated October 21, 2026
In plain English
A surfactant made from sorbitol, lauric acid and ethylene oxide. Mixes small amounts of oil into water.
What it does
Contains Polysorbate 20: emulsifying
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Polysorbate 20: surfactant
Function listed in CosIng
Source: CosIng, the European Commission cosmetic ingredient database, ref 79318, accessed October 22, 2026.
Products that contain Polysorbate 20
Drunk Elephant
Protini Polypeptide Firming Refillable Moisturizer
Moisturizer · Lists coconut derivatives
Drunk Elephant
Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum with Lactic Acid
Serum · Lists exfoliating acid, coconut derivatives
Glo Skin Beauty
Pumpkin Enzyme Scrub
Exfoliant · Lists fragrance, drying alcohol, essential oils, silicones
Tree Hut
Pumpkin Roll Foaming Gel Wash
Body wash · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, essential oils, coconut derivatives
Tree Hut
Pumpkin Roll Mini Shea Sugar Scrub
Exfoliant · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, retinoid, essential oils
Tree Hut
Pumpkin Roll Shea Sugar Scrub
Exfoliant · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, retinoid, essential oils
davines
Purifying Shampoo
Lists fragrance, coconut derivatives
Philosophy
Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser
Lists fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, essential oils, sulfates, coconut derivatives
Philosophy
Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser with Turmeric Extract
Lists fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, essential oils, sulfates, coconut derivatives
Derma E
Radiance Toner
Toner · Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid
Tree Hut
Rainbow Sherbet Shea Sugar Scrub
Exfoliant · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, retinoid, essential oils
Renee Rouleau
Rapid Response Detox Masque
Mask · Lists exfoliating acid, essential oils, salicylic acid
Tree Hut
Raspberry Fizz Foaming Gel Wash
Body wash · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, essential oils, coconut derivatives
Tree Hut
Raspberry Fizz Jelly Soap
Body wash · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens
Tree Hut
Raspberry Fizz Shea Sugar Scrub
Exfoliant · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, retinoid, essential oils
Olay
Regenerist Night Recovery Night Cream Moisturizer
Moisturizer · Lists silicones
Olay
Regenerist Retinol 24 Starter Lotion
Body lotion · Lists retinoid, silicones
Olay
Regenerist Wrinkle Correcting Night Treatment
Serum · Lists retinoid, silicones
Murad
Rejuvenating & Renewing Eye Cream
Eye cream · Lists retinoid, silicones
Olay
Renewing Eyes Retinol 24 MAX Eye Cream
Eye cream · Lists retinoid, silicones, formaldehyde releasers
Renee Rouleau
Rest Day Masque
Mask · Lists silicones
ACT
Restoring Mint Mouthwash 2x daily
Lists fragrance
CeraVe
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Serum · Lists drying alcohol, retinoid, silicones
Philosophy
resurfacing solution
Exfoliant · Lists drying alcohol, exfoliating acid
Related guides
How to read an ingredient list
What the ingredient list on a beauty product tells you, what the names mean, and what it leaves out, using FDA and EU labeling rules.
Does ingredient order show how much is in a product?
Ingredient lists run from most to least, but only down to 1%. Below that, any order is allowed. What the order shows and what it hides.
How do you patch test a new product?
What the AAD, FDA and DermNet say about testing a small area, the FDA hair dye skin test, in-office patch tests, and contact allergy basics.