xylitol
AKA: (2S, 4R)-pentane-1, 2, 3, 4, 5-pentol
Synthetic
Humectant
Skin Conditioner
Clean
Xylitol is a cosmetic ingredient used as humectant, skin conditioning.
Formula
C5H12O5
Mol. Weight
152.15
CAS #
87-99-0
Form
Liquid
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
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR