The invention relates to formulations for the washing and care of human or animal body parts, said formulations containing sorbitan carboxylic acid esters and characterized in that the carboxylic acid part of the sorbitain carboxylic acid ester is derived from a carboxylic acid containing between 6 and 10 carbon atoms and the sorbitan carboxylic acid esters have a hydroxyl count (OH count) of higher than 350. The invention also relates to the use of sorbitan carboxylic acid ester in washing or care formulations.