What Is Sorbitol?
Arin Editorial · how this is made
You saw 'sorbitol' on a label. This name refers to a type of sugar alcohol. It is also found naturally in fruits like apples and berries.
What is it?
Sorbitol is an organic compound in the sugar alcohol class. It is made by reducing sugar. It belongs to the same group as mannitol and xylitol; it differs from mannitol by the orientation of its hydroxyl groups, and from xylitol by chain length. It appears as a white, water-soluble powder or granules.
Where does it come from?
Sorbitol occurs naturally in apples, tree fruits, and berries. In industry, it is mostly made from potato starch. It is synthesized by hydrogenation of sugars.
What do safety data say?
EPA ToxCast screening ran 18 in vitro tests on the estrogen receptor. No agonist or antagonist activity was found. This is a lab screen; it does not include dose or exposure context. It does not mean the substance shows an effect in humans at cosmetic use levels.
As of today, available sources do not list any regulatory restriction on sorbitol in cosmetics.
When you see sorbitol on a label, there is no need to panic. Current data show no restriction for its use in cosmetics. Still, if you have sensitive skin, you might consider a patch test before trying a new product.
Sources
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
- EPA ToxCast
- Web research (patates nişastası)