The ingredient, explained
Xylitol
A small controlled study tested xylitol together with glycerol.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Xylitol
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Humectant
- Helps attract and retain moisture.
- 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
Human research on a combination
The tested gel improved hydration and barrier measurements over 14 days.
What this does not tell us
Only12 volunteers participated, and glycerol prevents attributing the changes to xylitol alone.
Sources for this summary. PubMed 27349297 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Read exact local candidate abstracts first; select identity-relevant papers; targeted primary PubMed/publisher searches. This is not an exhaustive systematic review.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Human research on a combination · n=12
Effects of Locally Applied Glycerol and Xylitol on the Hydration, Barrier Function and Morphological Parameters of the Skin. ↗
Acta dermato-venereologica · 2017
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the wider catalogue. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
Xylitol
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- XYLITOL
- CAS registry number
- 87-99-0
- EC number
- 201-788-0
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026