What it is
Sorbitan Olivate is an ester made from sorbitan (a derivative of the sugar alcohol sorbitol) and the fatty acids of olive oil. The sorbitan portion is water-compatible and the olive fatty acids are oil-loving, so it works as a non-ionic emulsifier that holds oil and water phases together. It is best known as a component of the widely used emulsifier blend Olivem 1000, which pairs it with Cetearyl Olivate and is valued for forming biomimetic liquid-crystal structures that resemble the skin's own lipid organization. This can give emulsions a light, skin-friendly feel, and the ingredient appears in moisturizers, cleansing balms and sunscreens.
Origin & sourcing
It is a plant-derived emulsifier. Sorbitan is produced by dehydrating sorbitol, a sugar alcohol, and is then esterified with fatty acids sourced from olive oil, giving an olive-based emulsifying agent often favored in naturally positioned formulas.
Questions everyone asks
Is Sorbitan Olivate natural?
It is plant-derived, made from sorbitol (a sugar alcohol) and fatty acids from olive oil, which is why it is popular in naturally positioned skincare.
What does it do in a sunscreen?
It is an emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed, and it can form skin-mimicking liquid-crystal structures that give the product a light, smooth feel.
Is it related to Olivem 1000?
Yes. Sorbitan Olivate is one of the two ingredients, along with Cetearyl Olivate, that make up the well-known olive-based emulsifier Olivem 1000.