What is Sorbitol?
Sorbitol, also called D-glucitol, is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in various fruits, including plums, pears, and apples. It's produced commercially for cosmetic use, most commonly through the hydrogenation of glucose derived from corn starch. In skincare, sorbitol works mainly as a humectant, helping formulas attract and retain water, and it also plays a supporting role in product texture and stability.
Source
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Found in |
A sugar alcohol (polyol), naturally present in fruits such as plums, pears, and apples |
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Origin |
Occurs naturally in fruit; commercially produced through the hydrogenation of corn-derived glucose |
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Also known as |
D-Glucitol, Glucitol |
Top features and benefits
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Helps skin attract and hold onto moisture |
Improves the texture and spreadability of formulas |
Naturally derived from fruit sugars |
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Reviewed and considered safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) |
Generally very well tolerated, including on sensitive skin |
Suitable for use in moisturizers, cleansers, and gels |
How Does It Work?
As a humectant, sorbitol works by attracting water from the surrounding air and from within skin, then helping hold that moisture in the outer layers of skin. This is a similar basic mechanism to other well-known humectants like glycerin, and sorbitol is often described as part of the same broad family of sugar and sugar-alcohol based moisture-binding ingredients.
Beyond hydration, sorbitol also plays a useful formulation role. It helps stabilize the texture of creams, gels, and emulsions, preventing separation or crystallization and giving products a smoother, more pleasant application feel. A 2024 safety review from the Cosmetic Ingredient Review evaluated sorbitol, alongside the related ingredients mannitol and xylitol, and concluded these sugar alcohols are safe for use as humectants and skin-conditioning agents in current cosmetic practices.