Polysorbate
![Polysorbate 60, a compound used as a food additive in some pudding mixes to prevent scorching during preparation](/Images/godic/202502/03/Polysorbate_604807.png")
Polysorbates are a class of emulsifiers used in some pharmaceuticals and food preparation. They are often used in cosmetics to solubilize essential oils into water-based products. Polysorbates are oily liquids derived from ethoxylated sorbitan (a derivative of sorbitol) esterified with fatty acids. Common brand names for polysorbates include Scattics, Alkest, Canarcel, and Tween.