Polysorbate 80 is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier often used in foods and cosmetics. Polysorbate 80 is an excipient that is used to stabilize aqueous formulations of medications for parenteral administration, and used as an emulsifier in the manufacture of the popular antiarrhythmic amiodarone. Polysorbate 80 is also used as an excipient in some European and Canadian influenza vaccines. Influenza vaccines contain 25 μg of polysorbate 80 per dose. Polysorbate 80 is also used in the culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Middlebrook 7H9 broth. It is also used as an emulsifier in the estrogen-regulating drug Estrasorb. In Europe and America, people eat about 100 mg of polysorbate 80 in foods per day on average. Polysorbate 80 has not been found to be carcinogenic. Rats fed with diets containing up to 5% polysorbate 80 by volume for 12 weeks showed no toxic effects.

Nonoxynol-9, is an organic compound that is used as a surfactant and vaginal spermicide used for contraception in spermicidal creams, jellies, foams, gel, and lubricants. It is also used in conjuction with other methods of contraception, including condoms, cervical caps and diaphragms. Nonoxynol-9 interacts with the lipids in the membranes of the acrosome and the midpiece of the sperm. The sperm membranes are lysed; the acrosome, neck and midpiece of the spermatozoa are loosened and then detached which results in their immobilization and death. Nonoxynol-9 offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia and does not prevent HIV infection and may even favour infection if used frequently. A possible reason, is that nonoxynol-9 can disrupt the epithelium, or wall, of the vagina, thereby potentially facilitating invasion by an infective organism and virus. Nonoxynol-9 and related compounds are ingredients in various cleaning and cosmetic products.

Cellacefate is a commonly used polymer phthalate in the formulation of pharmaceuticals, such as the enteric coating of tablets or capsules and for controlled release formulations. Cellacefate's use in enteric coatings allows tablets to remain intact in the unfavorable gastric acid secretion of the stomach, but dissolve in the more basic areas of the duodenum, thus protecting the stomach from ulceration or allowing greater absorption form the duodenum. Cellacefate is a reaction product of phthalic anhydride and a partial acetate ester of cellulose.