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be sonatural, Face masks, read from the back

Xylitol

Birch sugar

Well toleratedHumectanthumectantskin conditioning

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

What it is

Xylitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol produced from plant materials such as birch or corn cobs. In skincare it acts as a humectant and is often combined with anhydroxylitol and xylitylglucoside in a widely used hydrating blend. It is also mildly inhibitory to some bacteria, which is why it appears in oral-care products.

What it does well

  • Binds water in the skin and supports the skin's own moisture reserves

    Xylitol is an effective humectant. Claims that it specifically rebalances the skin microbiome are commonly made but rest on limited published evidence.

    Limited evidence

Worth knowing

  • No meaningful topical safety concerns

    Xylitol is not a recognised skin sensitiser. It is notably toxic to dogs if eaten, but that is a pet-safety issue with foods and gum, not a concern for skin products used by people.

    Matters most toDog owners should keep xylitol-containing foods away from pets; skincare use poses no comparable risk.

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 Xylitol