- Comedogenic
- Not rated
- Irritancy
- 0 / 5
- Fungal acne
- Trigger
- Type
- Emulsifier
- INCI name
- Sorbitan Stearate
- Also listed as
- Sorbitan Monostearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Laurate
Who should avoid it?
Suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin.
Acne-safe breakdown
Sorbitan Stearate 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.
Products that contain Sorbitan Stearate
- CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Lotion
- Dot & Key Watermelon Cooling Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ With New-Age UV Filters
- Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief
- PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10%
- Round Lab Soybean Nourishing Cream
Fungal-acne safe ingredients list
Print the pore-clogging and fungal-acne cheat sheet →
Frequently asked questions
Is Sorbitan Stearate comedogenic?
Sorbitan Stearate has no standard rating on the comedogenic scale. It is, however, a fungal-acne trigger. A sorbitan fatty-acid ester used to blend oil and water. Like polysorbates, it can be split by yeast enzymes into fatty acids.
Is Sorbitan Stearate safe for fungal acne?
No. Sorbitan Stearate can feed Malassezia yeast, so people with fungal acne usually avoid it.
Does Sorbitan Stearate 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 Sorbitan Stearate?
On labels it can also appear as Sorbitan Monostearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Laurate or Sorbitan Palmitate.