"Sorbitan" refers to the ingredient sorbitan hydride. Sorbitan consists of a mixture of several isomeric cyclic compounds, which are formed by the splitting off of a molecule of water from sorbitol. "Cocoate" means the ester of coconut fatty acid
Sorbitan cocoate is used in cosmetic formulations. The sorbitan fatty acid ester acts as an emulsifier (a surface-active substance which is used in cosmetic products as an auxiliary agent to combine two immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - into one emulsion).