Sorbitan esters and Polysorbates as nonionic offer many advantages over ionic surfactants including increase stability, enhance flexibility and provide wider compatibility. They are stable in mild acids, alkalis and electrolytes and do not react with ionic ingredients or actives.

Sorbitan esters are nonionic lipophilic surfactants that are commonly used as water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifiers and stabilizers. Sorbitan fatty acid esters are produced by esterification of dehydrated sorbitol (sorbitan) with a variety of fatty acids. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that can be obtained by the reduction of glucose or derived from corn, potatoes, etc.