Sorbitan laurate is an ester of the fatty acid lauric acid and parts of the sugar ingredient sorbitol. This ingredient acts as a cleanser and emulsifier and can be naturally derived or synthetic. It can be used to improve the overall texture of skin care formulas.
Depending on where it comes from, sorbitan laurate comes in different physical forms as a raw material ranging from an oily liquid to a hard waxy solid.
Amounts above 5% are likely to cause skin irritation; however, sorbitan laurate is typically used as a supporter in lower amounts (up to 3%) along with other cleansers. As such, it is considered a safe ingredient for use on the skin. This ingredient also happens to be a food additive, a testament to its safety when used topically. https://www.paulaschoice.com/ingredient-dictionary/ingredient-sorbitan-laurate.html?q=Sorbitan%20Laurate&fdid=ingredients