Common Name(s): Mannitan laurate,mannitan monolaurate,dehydromannitan lauric acid ester

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Helps oil and water blend together in creams and lotions using a natural, sugar-derived emulsifier.

Why It's Used: Mannitan laurate provides hlb ~8–9 emulsification using a natural sugar-derived backbone, suitable for organic and natural cosmetic formulations.

How It Works: The mannitan sugar head (hydrophilic) and c12 lauric tail (lipophilic) create an amphiphilic structure that reduces oil-water interfacial tension, forming stable w/o or o/w emulsions depending on concentration.

Typically Found In: Natural cosmetic creams,w/o emulsions,o/w emulsions,certified organic formulations

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – emulsifier

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning,surfactant

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–10%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - feedstock declaration required

Halal Status: Unverified - feedstock declaration required (plant, animal and petrochemical routes all exist)

Source Notes: Derived from mannitol (plant or fermentation-derived) esterified with lauric acid (from coconut or palm kernel oil); naturally-derived. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: origin-dependent: the same inci exists in plant, animal and petrochemical versions and the name does not discriminate. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – low

Sensitivity Concerns: Very mild. well tolerated. no significant sensitization data. generally suitable for sensitive skin.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1. analogous to sorbitan laurate (span 20) in safety and function.

Works Well With: Polysorbates,other sugar-based emulsifiers,fatty alcohols,natural oils,plant butters

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Mannitan is an anhydro form of mannitol; its ester with lauric acid (c12) creates a sorbitan-analogue emulsifier. hlb estimated ~8–9, suitable as primary w/o emulsifier or co-emulsifier in o/w systems.

Last Verified: 2026-03-27

Primary Sources: Cosing database,inci dictionary,supplier technical data sheets