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
Lacura
Brume corps fleur de coton
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens
burn gel relief
Lists drying alcohol
Palladio
BUTTER BALM
Lip · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens
The INKEY List
Caffeine Eye Cream
Eye cream · None of Poliage’s flag groups listed
Tree Hut
Canada – Mini Gommage Au Sucre Et Au Karité Coco Colada
Exfoliant · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, retinoid, essential oils, coconut derivatives
Tree Hut
CANADA – MINI GOMMAGE AU SUCRE ET AU KARITÉ VANILLA
Exfoliant · Lists fragrance, retinoid, essential oils
Tree Hut
Candy Cane Mini Shea Sugar Scrub
Exfoliant · Lists fragrance, retinoid, essential oils
Tree Hut
Candy Cane Shea Sugar Scrub
Exfoliant · Lists fragrance, retinoid, essential oils
CeraVe
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Lists parabens, silicones
CeraVe
CeraVe Hydraterende Melk
Lists silicones
Cerave
CeraVe Hydraterende Reinigingscrème
None of Poliage’s flag groups listed
CeraVe
CeraVe Hydraterende Schuimende Reinigingsolie
Lists coconut derivatives
Cerave
CeraVe Retinol Serum Tegen Post-Acne Vlekjes
Lists drying alcohol, retinoid, silicones
Tresemme
Champú cuidado clásico
Lists fragrance allergens, sulfates
davines
Champú Well-being
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, coconut derivatives
boscia
Charcoal Pore Pudding intensive wash-off treatment
Lists essential oils
Fenty Skin
Cherry Dub BHA Toner with Salicylic Acid + Aloe Juice
Toner · Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, salicylic acid
La Roche-Posay
CICAPLAST Accélérateur de réparation épidermique
Lists silicones
La Roche-Posay
Ciclaplast Gel Lavant B5
Lists sulfates, coconut derivatives
Tree Hut
Cinnamon Dolce Foaming Gel Wash
Body wash · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, essential oils, coconut derivatives
Tree Hut
Cinnamon Dolce Shea Sugar Scrub
Exfoliant · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, retinoid, essential oils
Dermalogica
Circular Hydration Serum
Serum · Lists fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, essential oils
Medik8
Clarifying Foam
Cleanser · Lists fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, essential oils, silicones, salicylic acid
Clinique
Clarifying Lotion 1.0
Toner · Lists exfoliating acid, salicylic 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.