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Moisturizing & Barrier
Xylitol
MoisturizingBarrierSoothing
INCI: Xylitol
In short · TL;DR
Category
Moisturizing & Barrier
Effect
A five-carbon sugar alcohol derived from birch or corn. A humectant that adds and holds water in the stratum corneum
Concentration
Maximum reported use in leave-on products is 0.013-2% (CIR 2020 / 2018 US industry survey); up to 14% overall including dentifrices. The human study used a formulation with 5% glycerol plus 5% xylitol
Effect
A five-carbon sugar alcohol derived from birch or corn. A humectant that adds and holds water in the stratum corneum
Mechanism
Its five hydroxyl groups bind water readily. In a human study (used together with glycerol), stratum corneum water content and filaggrin protein increased and TEWL decreased
Typical concentration
Maximum reported use in leave-on products is 0.013-2% (CIR 2020 / 2018 US industry survey); up to 14% overall including dentifrices. The human study used a formulation with 5% glycerol plus 5% xylitol
Onset
Moisturised feel from immediately after application. The human study evaluated stratum corneum hydration and TEWL after twice-daily use for 14 days
Cautions
A low-irritation ingredient also widely used in foods; CIR concluded it is safe in present practices of use. A guinea pig phototoxicity study with a 10% formulation was positive, but CIR dismissed this because xylitol has no UV-absorbing chromophore and the irradiation dose was about 100 times daily exposure. Human data on xylitol alone are limited
Evidence & references
This page is reference information and does not guarantee efficacy. Figures vary by test conditions (in vitro / manufacturer / concentration). It does not indicate pharmaceutical efficacy.
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