xylitol
AKA “(2S, 4R)-pentane-1, 5-pentol, RefChem:934805, GlyTouCan:G06874YZ, G06874YZ, ribitol, adonitol”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
xylitol
AKA: (2S, 4R)-pentane-1, 5-pentol, RefChem:934805, GlyTouCan:G06874YZ, G06874YZ, Ribitol, Adonitol
Synthetic · Humectant · EWG: 1
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Humectant
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
A natural humectant that draws moisture deep into skin and helps lock it in, leaving complexion soft and hydrated.
Formula
C5H12O5
Mol. Weight
152.15
CAS #
87-99-0
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol first discovered in 1891 and developed industrially in the mid-20th century. Adopted in cosmetics as a natural-origin humectant and sweetener with antimicrobial properties, though it has no traditional use predating its synthetic discovery.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Dryness
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Are sodium lauryl sulfate-containing toothpastes suitable vehicles for xylitol?
Assev S, Wåler SM, Rølla G
European journal of oral sciences, 1997
Are sodium lauryl sulfate-containing toothpastes suitable vehicles for xylitol?
Assev S, Wåler SM, Rølla G
European journal of oral sciences, 1997
Safety Assessment of Mannitol, Sorbitol, and Xylitol as U...
Priya Cherian, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler, James G Marks + 6 more
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Anhydrogalactose,Anhydroglucitol, Anhydroxylitol, Arabinose,Psicose, Saccharide Hydrolysate, andSaccharide Isomerate as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Mannitol, Sorbitol and Xylitol as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
anhydroxylitol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
xylitol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
anhydroxylitol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
xylitol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Safety Assessment of Anhydrogalactose, Anhydroglucitol, Anhydroxylitol, Arabinose, Psicose, Saccharide Hydrolysate, and Saccharide Isomerate as Used i
Johnson W Jr, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Anhydrogalactose, Anhydroglucitol, Anhydroxylitol, Arabinose, Psicose, Saccharide Hydrolysate, and Saccharide Isomerate as Used i
Johnson W Jr, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Effects of Xylitol-laced Sweets on the Accumulation of Dental Plaque : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Mostafazadehbakhtiyary M, Majidinia S, Sohouli M, Chalakinia H, Langari AS et al.
International dental journal, 2025
Sweeteners: erythritol, xylitol and cardiovascular risk-friend or foe?
Wölnerhanssen BK, Meyer-Gerspach AC, Arduini A, D'Alessandro A, Gronda E et al.
Cardiovascular research, 2025
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR