Mannitol ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is used mainly as a humectant and water-binding support, helping formulas retain moisture. It can also act as a bulking agent, powder aid, or stabilizer in certain formats.
What does Mannitol do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is used mainly as a humectant and water-binding support, helping formulas retain moisture. It can also act as a bulking agent, powder aid, or stabilizer in certain formats.
Is Mannitol clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well tolerated, with low irritation and sensitization potential. It has no common restricted-list friction in major clean standards when cosmetic-grade purity is used.
Is Mannitol sustainable?
This material is typically sourced from plant-derived carbohydrate streams or extracted from natural biomass, depending on supplier route. It is readily biodegradable and does not raise common persistence or bioaccumulation concerns.
Is Mannitol COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic standards when made from approved natural feedstocks and allowed processing methods. Its renewable sourcing potential, biodegradability, and low-use formulation profile fit well with Green Chemistry principles.
How does Mannitol work chemically?
The molecule is a six-carbon polyol with multiple hydroxyl groups, which explains its water-binding behavior and compatibility with aqueous systems. It is typically used around 0.1% to 5% in skin care, oral care, and powder formats, and it is stable across normal cosmetic pH ranges.
Last updated 2026-05-13