Ingredient glossary
Sorbitol
On your shelf ✓What Sorbitol does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Sorbitol
In short: Sorbitol delivers hydration, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is moderate.
- What it does
- Hydration
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Evidence
- Moderate
The molecule
The Glow take
Genuinely worth a spot in your routine.
When your goal is deep, lasting hydration, Sorbitol pulls genuine weight, with a solid amount of evidence behind it. Gentle enough that most skin types can reach for it.
— Maya
What it does
- hydration
moderate evidenceCommonly used as a humectant in skin and oral care with a long record of safe use and modest hydration benefits.
On a label: usually effective at 2-10%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- dry
- dehydrated
- all
Approach with care
No specific group flagged to avoid it.
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- humectants
- emollients
Sorbitol, answered
Is Sorbitol safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Sorbitol is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Sorbitol?
No specific group is flagged to avoid Sorbitol. It is well tolerated by most skin. Still, introduce anything new one product at a time.
What concentration of Sorbitol actually works?
Sorbitol tends to do its job in the 2 to 10% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
This, for every label you own
One ingredient is easy. A full label is where it gets confusing. The Ingredient Decoder reads any product and tells you the honest truth, ingredient by ingredient.