Sorbitan Olivate
Also known as Sorbitan Olivate, Olive Oil Fatty Acids, Sorbitan Ester
“CIR Expert Panel says: safe as used in cosmetics.”
Sorbitan Olivate is the sorbitan ester of olive oil fatty acids, functioning as a nonionic emulsifier and surfactant. The CIR Expert Panel assessed it as Safe (S) with no qualifying conditions, based on a comprehensive review of sorbitan fatty acid esters published in IJT 2002 with a final update in 2014. It is typically used as part of the commercial Olivem 1000 blend (with Cetearyl Olivate) but is assessed as a standalone INCI. The 2002 CIR assessment (PMID 12042063) evaluated sorbitan olivate alongside nine other sorbitan esters and concluded these ingredients were safe for use in cosmetic formulations under present practices of use.
Nonionic emulsifier
Forms lamellar liquid crystal structures with Cetearyl Olivate (Olivem 1000 blend) mimicking stratum corneum lipid organization
Derived from olive oil — natural-origin emulsifier
Unconditional CIR Safe finding — no formulation restrictions
CIR Quick Reference Table (12/2017, revised 07/2018) — SORBITAN OLIVATE row: Finding=S, Citation=IJT 21(S1):93-112, 2002; Final report 12…
“Sorbitan Olivate | S | | IJT 21(S1):93- 112, 2002; Final report 12/2014 available from CIR”— QRT-122017revised072018.pdf, p. 125