
Sorbitol
Sorbitol
£3.73 GBP (Zero Rated VAT)

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Sorbitol Product Description
Benefits
Product Benefits
- Intensely moisturises and nourishes dry skin
- Helps reduce the appearance of redness
- Suitable for eczema-prone and psoriasis-prone skin
- Supports a calm and balanced complexion
- Provides a soft, smooth, non-greasy feel
- Vegan, cruelty-free, non-GMO, and biodegradable
- Water-soluble and easy to incorporate into formulations
- Helps extend shelf life by maintaining moisture balance
- Enhances the texture of creams, lotions, serums, and gels
- Suitable for hair care, skincare, and oral care products
- Derived from renewable plant sources
- Cooling effect on skin and in oral care products
- Excellent stabiliser in water-based formulations
- Sorbitol is an excellent humectant and moisturising agent, helping to maintain skin hydration without irritating.
- Provides stability in cosmetic products, preventing discoloration and maintaining texture over time.
Product Description
Product Description
Sorbitol Powder is a multifunctional humectant and moisturising agent derived from glucose through hydrogenation. Naturally occurring in fruits like apples, pears, and berries, sorbitol is a sugar alcohol widely used in natural and organic cosmetics. It is highly valued for its ability to draw water into the skin, helping to maintain hydration, support elasticity, and give a plumped soft appearance.
With its fine, white crystalline appearance and high solubility in water, Sorbitol Powder is ideal for incorporation into the water phase of both hot and cold process formulations. Sorbitol’s high solubility in water makes it ideal for formulations requiring higher concentrations of humectants. It offers a velvety, smooth texture in emulsions and enhances the overall skin feel of the finished product. Sorbitol is often distributed in a 70% solution in water, which is significant in food processing. Sorbitol is converted to fructose in biological processes. It is part of the broader category of sugar alcohol. Glucose and other polysaccharides are raw materials for sorbitol production. The steps involved in the metabolic pathways of sorbitol are crucial for its function. The time required for various stages of sorbitol production is essential for efficiency. The MSDS provides safety and handling information for sorbitol. The number of individuals likely exposed to sorbitol in various applications is significant. Unlike synthetic moisturisers, sorbitol is naturally derived and aligns with clean beauty standards.
Its cooling and soothing effects make it especially useful in products for sensitive or redness-prone skin, and it is suitable for eczema-prone or psoriasis-prone skin. Whether you’re formulating a hydrating serum, facial toner, conditioning hair mask, or sugar-free toothpaste, Sorbitol Powder is an excellent addition to elevate product performance.
Introduction to Sorbitol
Sorbitol is a versatile sugar substitute that acts as a water-soluble compound, making it a popular ingredient in various cosmetic formulations. As a polyhydric alcohol obtained from the reduction of glucose, sorbitol offers unique moisturising and humectant properties that make it an ideal additive in skincare and personal care products. One of its standout features is its ability to attract and retain moisture, helping to soothe and hydrate the skin. Sorbitol’s pleasant taste and cooling sensation also make it a favoured ingredient in oral care products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. Its compatibility with a wide range of ingredients and its gentle, non-greasy feel contribute to its widespread use in lotions, creams, serums, and hair care formulations, supporting a calm and balanced complexion.
Understanding the Basics and Origins of Sorbitol
Sorbitol is naturally found in many fruits, including berries, plums, and raisins. It is a polyhydric alcohol derived from the hydrogenation of glucose, commonly sourced from corn syrup. In cosmetic formulations, sorbitol is highly valued for its exceptional moisturising and humectant properties, which help attract and retain water in the skin, promoting hydration and a soft, smooth texture. Its pleasant taste and cooling sensation makes it a popular ingredient in oral care products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. Sorbitol’s compatibility with a wide range of cosmetic ingredients allows it to enhance the texture and stability of creams, lotions, serums, and hair care formulations. As a humectant, sorbitol helps maintain a calm and balanced complexion, making it suitable for sensitive and redness-prone skin types.
What Is Sorbitol Sugar Substitute?
Sorbitol is a polyhydric alcohol with the molecular formula C6H14O6. The hydrogenation of glucose produces it and contains multiple hydroxyls (-OH) groups that confer water-binding and moisturising properties. Its natural humectancy makes it particularly suitable for cosmetic applications, as it helps to attract and retain water on the skin’s surface. Sorbitol can also be produced by specific yeasts, such as Candida boidinii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which are used in industrial biotechnology.
As a skin-conditioning agent, Sorbitol supports smoother skin texture and helps reduce the appearance of redness. It also improves spreadability and stabilises emulsions, giving your product a luxurious feel without greasiness. Its eco-friendly, plant-derived origin adds to its appeal for formulators seeking sustainability and transparency. The production of sorbitol involves the enzyme aldose reductase, which converts glucose to sorbitol by adding a hydroxyl group.
Chemical Properties
Understanding the Composition and Characteristics of Sorbitol
Sorbitol is a polyhydric alcohol, also known as a sugar alcohol, with the chemical formula C6H14O6. It is a water-soluble compound produced by the reduction of glucose, resulting in a white, crystalline powder. Sorbitol is widely used in various industries due to its humectant properties, which help retain moisture and improve texture in products.
Classification
Categorising Sorbitol in the World of Cosmetic Ingredients
Sorbitol is classified as a humectant and a protective agent in the cosmetic industry. It is used in a variety of personal care products, including skincare creams, lotions, and toothpaste. Sorbitol acts as a moisturiser, helping to retain water in the skin and prevent dryness. Its classification as a polyhydric alcohol makes it a useful ingredient in many industries, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Uses in Skincare and Cosmetics
Sorbitol has a multitude of applications in skincare and cosmetics, primarily as a humectant that retains moisture in the skin. Its high solubility and ability to attract water make it an effective ingredient in many skincare products. Beyond skincare, sorbitol is widely valued in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations for its excellent moisturising and humectant properties. It enhances the texture and stability of products like creams, lotions, serums, and oral care items, ensuring a pleasant, non-greasy feel that customers appreciate. Sorbitol also helps maintain product freshness by retaining moisture, extending shelf life, and providing a cooling sensation that leaves skin and oral care products feeling soothing and refreshing. Recognized by global health authorities for its safety, sorbitol is a trusted ingredient that supports the development of effective, gentle, and high-quality personal care products tailored to meet consumer needs.
Exploring the Versatile Applications of Sorbitol
Sorbitol’s versatility makes it a popular ingredient across various industries, from food and beverages to skincare and cosmetics. Its ability to provide a gentle sweetness without the heaviness of traditional sugars makes it an appealing ingredient in cosmetic formulations. In skincare products, Sorbitol acts as a humectant, helping to retain moisture and enhance the texture of creams and lotions. As polyhydric alcohol, Sorbitol offers unique moisturising and stabilising properties, making it a versatile and effective component in a wide range of cosmetic applications.
Therapeutic Applications
Exploring Additional Benefits in Skincare
Sorbitol has been shown to have therapeutic benefits in skincare, particularly in the treatment of dry skin. Its humectant properties help to retain moisture in the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Global health authorities have recognised the safety and efficacy of sorbitol, and it is widely used in many countries, including the United States, Europe, and Australia.
How to use it
How to Use
- Sorbitol is used at a dosage of 2-5% in a variety of products, such as cleansers, peelers, creams, liniments, face masks, deodorants, hair sprays, mouthwashes, and toothpaste.
- It is primarily a humectant as it draws water into the skin, so it is especially good for dry and maturing skin. This can help to plump up the skin and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If too much Sorbitol is used, it can have the opposite effect and may draw moisture out of the skin, which would leave it feeling dry rather than moisturised.
- Sorbitol may also help to thicken a product slightly, but it is not the same as a thickener such as Xanthan Gum.
- Sorbitol can be used as a prebiotic as it helps to feed the probiotics found in the skin's natural microbiome. A microbiome is another term for the naturally found good bacteria, either on the surface of the skin or in the gut. The probiotics break down the Sorbitol to create Beta Glucan, which has skin-calming properties.
- Sorbitol can crystallise somewhat in the container. As it is heat tolerant and has a melting point of approximately 96C it can be heated in hot water to help it to melt before use.
INCI / Ingredients
INCI / Ingredients
INCI Name: Sorbitol
Origin: Glucose (commonly from corn starch), hydrogenated
Appearance: Fine white crystalline powder
Solubility: Water-soluble; partially soluble in ethanol
Storage & Shelf life
Storage & Shelf Life
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep the container tightly closed when not in use.
Shelf Life: The expiration date is printed on the packaging. Always check before use. Ensure to discard sorbitol products once they have expired to maintain safety and effectiveness. Discard if past the date for optimal safety and performance.
Why buy from Aromantic
Why Buy from Aromantic?
At Aromantic, we’re passionate about empowering formulators and DIY skincare creators with premium quality, sustainably sourced ingredients. Our Sorbitol Powder is:
Ethically sourced from trusted global suppliers
Shipped worldwide with fast, reliable service
Backed by full traceability and transparent documentation
We never make exaggerated claims or offer 'expert advice'—instead, we equip you with clean, tested raw materials and the tools you need to create your best skincare and cosmetic formulations.
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sorbitol safe for all skin types?
Yes. Sorbitol is gentle and suitable for most skin types, including dry, sensitive, eczema-prone, and psoriasis-prone skin.
Can Sorbitol Powder be used in hair care products?
Absolutely. It acts as a humectant and moisturiser in conditioners, hair masks, and leave-in treatments.
Does Sorbitol have a scent?
No. Sorbitol Powder is odourless, making it perfect for unscented or essential oil-based formulations.
Is it compatible with other humectants?
Yes. Sorbitol works well in combination with Glycerin, Panthenol, and Hyaluronic Acid for enhanced moisturising effects.
Can I use Sorbitol Powder in edible formulations?
This listing is specifically for cosmetic-grade Sorbitol. Please ensure you’re using the correct grade for food or pharmaceutical use.
Is it suitable for use in oral care?
Yes. Sorbitol is commonly used in mouthwashes and toothpaste for its moisture retention and cooling effect.
Does Sorbitol impact the pH of a formula?
Sorbitol is pH neutral and does not significantly alter the pH of formulations.
Can I use Sorbitol in cold-process emulsions?
Yes. It dissolves easily in water and can be used in both hot and cold-process emulsions.
Is Sorbitol safe for pregnant women?
While sorbitol is generally considered safe in moderation, pregnant women should consult with a healthcare provider before use.
Does Sorbitol have any effects in the mouth?
Yes, sorbitol has a cooling effect when it dissolves in the mouth, making it popular in oral care products.
Recipes & Blends
Click on the links below to be directed to some great recipes featuring Sorbitol;
Cleansing Face Cream
Exfoliating Cleanser
Papaya Foot Cream
Technical Documents
Here is a link to all non batch specific documents for this product Link to Technical Documents
If you have any questions about the documents or need the Certificate of Analysis (COA) for a product which you have recived, then please request that here.
Pairs well with
Related Products / Pair With
Vegetable Glycerin – A classic humectant to pair with Sorbitol for enhanced moisture
Hyaluronic Acid Gel – Deep hydration for all skin types
Panthenol (Vitamin B5) – Improves skin texture and supports a calm complexion
Natural Surfactant Base Plus – Ideal base for facial cleansers and body washes
Organic Aloe Vera Powder 200 : 1 – Soothes and hydrates the skin
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride – A conditioning agent perfect for hair care
Organic Rose Hydrolat – A refreshing and soothing floral water for toners
Squalane – A Lightweight emollient that helps soften the skin