Span 80 1 L

Why Span 80 remains a workhorse for industrial-scale emulsion systems

Sorbitan oleate, sold commercially as Span 80, is one of the most widely used lipophilic emulsifiers across global chemical, industrial and cosmetic manufacturing. It is an oily liquid with a low HLB value of roughly 4.3, which makes it particularly effective for stabilizing water-in-oil emulsions and for supporting oil-in-water systems when paired with more hydrophilic partners. This product belongs to the Emulsifiers category, where formulators find ingredients for building stable dispersed systems across many industries, not only cosmetics. The 1 liter packaging suits small-batch and studio manufacturing as well as steady supply needs for growing production lines that require reliable monthly restocking.

The demand for Span 80 spans far beyond skincare. It is a common component in metalworking fluids and cutting oils, corrosion inhibitor formulations, fuel additive blends, agrochemical and pesticide emulsions, drilling fluids and demulsifiers used in oil extraction, as well as textile processing aids. In food manufacturing, related sorbitan esters are used to stabilize chocolate coatings and fat blends. Within cosmetic production, Span 80 is essential for creams, balms, barrier ointments and restorative skin emulsions, plus fragrance compositions where oil and water phases must stay combined without separating over time. Typical dosage ranges from 1 to 5 percent of total formula weight, added during the oil phase mixing stage at 60-75 degrees Celsius, before the water phase is introduced.

Span 80 pairs naturally with hydrophilic emulsifiers to balance the overall HLB of a formula, often working alongside high-HLB polysorbate-type systems. In more advanced industrial recipes it is combined with modern emulsifier blends such as Eumulgin Prisma to achieve lighter, more stable textures. For rich water-in-oil creams, formulators often add Prolipid 141 to the base, while natural-leaning formulas with plant-derived actives frequently include MONTANOV 68 to improve thermal stability during storage and transport.

Store Span 80 in a tightly sealed container, in a dry area at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Slight cloudiness or separation may appear during long storage, which is easily corrected by gentle warming and stirring before use. The 1 liter size fits laboratories and small production facilities that need consistent, predictable supply without excessive warehousing.

Industrial-grade protective hand balm

Span 80 - 15 g

Mineral oil - 140 g

Beeswax - 35 g

Lanolin - 25 g

Distilled water - 760 g

Glycerin - 25 g

Melt the beeswax and lanolin together in a water bath at 70 degrees Celsius, then stir in the mineral oil and Span 80 until fully combined. Warm the water and glycerin to the same temperature and slowly pour into the oil phase while stirring continuously until a thick uniform emulsion forms. Keep stirring while the balm cools to room temperature, then transfer into storage containers.