Humectant

Sorbitol

INCI · Sorbitol · also Glucitol

Revelika safety grade

Overview

A sugar alcohol used as a humectant and mild texture agent that helps skin retain water and gives products a smooth slip. It is also valued for stabilizing formulas and improving spreadability.

Who it's for

Suited to most skin types as a gentle hydrating base ingredient.

Cautions

Generally well tolerated; a supporting humectant rather than a treatment active.

Suitability
Suits skin type
Dry Oily Combination Sensitive Acne-prone Mature Normal
Targets
Concentration
Concentration0 – 10%
Effective from
Max safe
In the glossary
Frequently asked
What does Sorbitol do in skincare?

A sugar alcohol used as a humectant and mild texture agent that helps skin retain water and gives products a smooth slip. It is also valued for stabilizing formulas and improving spreadability.

Is Sorbitol considered safe for skin?

Generally well tolerated; a supporting humectant rather than a treatment active.

RRevelika

A science-forward beauty ingredient encyclopedia. Every entry is written from published research and graded conservatively before it publishes.

Editorial standard

Content is educational, not medical advice. When evidence is uncertain we say so — and we default to caution on pregnancy safety.

We use Google Analytics and Yandex Metrica (including Webvisor session recording) to understand how the site is used. In the EEA and UK these load only after you accept analytics cookies, and you can withdraw consent at any time by declining.

© 2026 REVELIKA · Built by ThirteenTabsEvidence-based · written from published research, graded conservatively