- Comedogenic
- Not rated
- Irritancy
- 0 / 5
- Fungal acne
- Trigger
- Type
- Emulsifier
- INCI name
- Polysorbate 40
- Also listed as
- Polysorbate 65, Polysorbate 85
Who should avoid it?
Suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin.
Acne-safe breakdown
Polysorbate 40 scores 0/5, so it is one of the ingredients acne-prone skin can use freely, though it is still a fungal-acne trigger. If a product containing it breaks you out, look at the other ingredients. Our scanner will flag them.
Fungal-acne safe ingredients list
Print the pore-clogging and fungal-acne cheat sheet →
Frequently asked questions
Is Polysorbate 40 comedogenic?
Polysorbate 40 has no standard rating on the comedogenic scale. It is, however, a fungal-acne trigger. A polysorbate emulsifier. Not considered pore-clogging, but like the other polysorbates it is a fatty-acid ester that yeast can use.
Is Polysorbate 40 safe for fungal acne?
No. Polysorbate 40 can feed Malassezia yeast, so people with fungal acne usually avoid it.
Does Polysorbate 40 cause acne?
It is unlikely to. Breakouts usually come from other ingredients in the formula, or from non-cosmetic causes.
What are other names for Polysorbate 40?
On labels it can also appear as Polysorbate 65 or Polysorbate 85.