DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
"Sorbeth-" means a PEG (polyethylene glycol) ether of sorbitol (sorbitol) of a C6 sugar alcohol, an isomer of mannitol The number after "sorbeth-" indicates the average number of molecular units -CH2-CH2-O-, for sorbeth-3 these are 3 ethylene glycol units; "isostearate" denotes the ester of isostearic acid.
Sorbeth-3 isostearate is used in cosmetic formulations. The PEG fatty acid derivative acts as an emulsifier (a surface-active substance which is used in cosmetic products as an additive to combine two immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - to form an emulsion).
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer