The invention relates to liquid compositions which contain a) from 5 to 95% by weight of sorbitan monocaprylate and b) from 5 to 95% by weight of one or more alcohols of formula (1) R—OH  (1), wherein R is a group consisting of carbon, hydrogen and optionally oxygen atoms with 5 to 12, preferably 6 to 11, carbon atoms, and the carbon atoms can be interlinked in a linear, branched and/or cyclic fashion via saturated, unsaturated and/or aromatic carbon-carbon bonds and the groups can also contain ether units and hydrogen atoms and/or hydroxyl groups can be bound to the individual carbon atoms. The liquid compositions are suitable for the production of cosmetic, dermatological or pharmaceutical products.