The most common uses of Polysorbate 20 (Tween 20) are:
Polysorbate 20 (also known in the industry as Tween 20) is a non-ionic surfactant—an ethoxylated sorbitan ester derived from lauric acid—that functions as an excellent emulsifier, solubilizer, and wetting agent for oil-in-water (O/W) systems, making it useful for blending fatty substances with aqueous ones.
Polysorbate 20 appears as a viscous, pale-yellow liquid that is soluble in water and organic solvents; it is biodegradable and has low toxicity. It is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals (for vitamins and essential oils), laboratories (ELISA, cell cultures), and industrial formulations due to its ability to reduce surface tension and stabilize mixtures.
