The ingredient, explained

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin has published research relevant to cosmetic safety assessment.

AbsorbentBindingEmulsion stabilisingFilm formingHair conditioningSkin conditioning

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Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Maltodextrin

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Absorbent: Takes up dispersed or dissolved material, including water or oils.
Binding: Helps the components of a product hold together.
Emulsion stabilising: Helps keep an emulsion from separating.
Film forming: Leaves a continuous layer on skin, hair or nails after application.
Hair conditioning: Improves cosmetic hair properties such as softness, shine or combability.
Skin conditioning: A broad cosmetic role for maintaining skin condition. It does not identify a particular clinical benefit.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Safety assessment

The report includes maltodextrin-containing eye gel irritation tests and a 103-person repeated patch study with no allergic contact dermatitis, within the broader polysaccharide assessment.

What this does not tell us

The maltodextrin studies tested a gel containing 2.45%, not isolated maltodextrin. Manufacturer-submitted studies and group read-across limit inference. Cosmetic safety evidence does not establish an oral or topical benefit.

Sources for this summary. Published source ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Selective exact-identity review of 3 supplied local candidates and the targeted primary-source search recorded below. Bounded review, not a systematic search.