Sorbitol

Sorbitol is a water-soluble sugar alcohol derived from glucose, widely used in cosmetics as a humectant. It's included to attract and retain moisture in formulations, support softness and glide, and improve sensory feel in gels, cleansers, and creams.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A sugar-derived humectant that draws moisture to keep skin soft.
Category
Hydration, Skin Conditioning
Type
Humectant

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Great

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

It draws water to the skin's surface to help it feel soft, plump, and comfortable, and can lessen the sensation of dryness or tightness after cleansing.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

It's used in toners, serums, essences, and sheet masks to boost hydration and improve slip, and included in shampoos and body washes for moisture-retentive lather.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

It's typically very well tolerated with minimal irritation potential; at high levels it can feel sticky and may briefly sting on compromised skin. No common cosmetic regulatory limits are noted.

Is Sorbitol a Good Ingredient?

It's a well-studied humectant with strong formulation stability and a low irritation profile, which supports its Great rating. It improves hydration reliably across product formats without requiring high concentrations that could raise sensitivity risk.

Products with Sorbitol

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