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Xylitol

What Xylitol is & what it does

A plant-sugar humectant that hydrates and supports the skin's surface microbiome and moisture balance. It leaves a smooth, comfortable finish.

What is Xylitol and what does it do in sunscreen?

Xylitol is a plant-derived sugar alcohol used as a humectant. In a sunscreen it draws and holds water at the skin surface, helping the formula feel hydrating and leaving a smooth, comfortable finish. It is also valued for supporting the skin's natural moisture balance and surface microbiome.

Is Xylitol safe in skincare?

Yes. Xylitol is a well-tolerated, gentle ingredient with a long history of use in both food and cosmetics. On the skin it works as a simple humectant and is non-irritating for most people, including those with sensitive skin.

Does Xylitol clog pores?

Generally no. Xylitol is a water-loving sugar alcohol, not an oil or wax, so it is not a typical pore-clogging ingredient. It is considered low-risk for comedogenicity and is suitable for most skin types, including oilier skin.

Is Xylitol vegan and natural?

Xylitol is plant-derived, typically made from plant sugars such as those in corn or birch, so it is naturally sourced and suitable for vegan formulas. It involves processing to reach cosmetic purity, but it does not come from animals.

What else is Xylitol called on an ingredient list?

On a label it appears simply as Xylitol, which is both its common name and its INCI name. It is the same sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in food, though here it is included for its moisture-binding, skin-conditioning role rather than for taste.

Sunscreens with Xylitol

We rate 233 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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