Is Polysorbate 20 vegan?
Polysorbate 20
Polysorbate 20 (E432) is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier produced by ethoxylation of sorbitan monolaurate. The sorbitan is derived from plant-based sorbitol, while the lauric acid component may come from coconut or palm oil (plant-derived) or animal fats. It is widely used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
| Also known as | PEG-20 sorbitan monolaurate, POE (20) sorbitan monolaurate, Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, Polysorbate 20, Tween, Tween 20 |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Polysorbate 20 |
| E number | E432 |
| INS number | 432 |
| CAS number | 9005-64-5 |
| CosIng ID | 79318 |
| Last reviewed | 14 May 2026 |
An ingredient is considered vegan if it contains no animal-derived components at any point in its production.
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