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Sorbitol

Sugar alcohol

Well toleratedHumectanthumectantskin conditioning

No meaningful concern for most people; irritation is possible but rare.

Also written as: D-Sorbitol · Glucitol

What it is

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol made by hydrogenating glucose, and it occurs naturally in fruits such as apples and pears. In skincare it binds water in the outer skin layer much as glycerin does, with a slightly lighter, less tacky after-feel. It is also widely used to keep gels and pastes from drying out.

What it does well

  • Holds water in the skin and stops formulas drying out

    Sorbitol works by the same water-binding mechanism as glycerin. Its skin benefits are well accepted, though it has been studied far less than glycerin itself.

    Moderate evidence

Worth knowing

  • No meaningful topical safety concerns

    Sorbitol's known side effects (a laxative effect) come from eating it in quantity, not from applying it to skin. It is not a recognised sensitiser.

    Matters most toNo specific group for topical use.

Where the EU stands

No specific restriction

Permitted in EU cosmetics with no concentration limit. It is not listed in the banned, restricted or preservative annexes of the Cosmetics Regulation.

Masks that contain Sorbitol