HYDRATOR
Xylitol Complex
Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol
A trio of plant sugar-based humectants, xylitylglucoside, anhydroxylitol and xylitol, that work together to help skin feel hydrated, smooth and comfortable.
Source
Xylitol, a plant sugar alcohol, and two ingredients made from it
Used for
Hydration, skin and hair
How it works
Three sugars, one moisture system.
This is a moisturising system rather than a single ingredient. It combines xylitol, a sugar alcohol found in plants, with two ingredients made from it: xylitylglucoside, where xylitol is joined to glucose, and anhydroxylitol, a ring-shaped form of xylitol.
All three are humectants that hold and retain moisture, and they are used together. In a study on volunteers' forearms, a gel with the xylitylglucoside, anhydroxylitol and xylitol combination gave one of the strongest moisturising effects of the formulas tested, and a later study found that a cream containing it made the fine surface relief of the skin look smoother after a single application.
Because it is gentle and water-soluble, the trio suits shampoos and body washes as well as creams and serums, morning or night.
All three are humectants that hold and retain moisture, and they are used together. In a study on volunteers' forearms, a gel with the xylitylglucoside, anhydroxylitol and xylitol combination gave one of the strongest moisturising effects of the formulas tested, and a later study found that a cream containing it made the fine surface relief of the skin look smoother after a single application.
Because it is gentle and water-soluble, the trio suits shampoos and body washes as well as creams and serums, morning or night.
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Three sugar-based humectants that help skin feel hydrated
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Studied on volunteers for skin moisture and a smoother-looking surface
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Gentle and water-soluble, for skin and hair care
Questions
What is in the xylitol complex?
Three ingredients: xylitol, a sugar alcohol; xylitylglucoside, where xylitol is joined to glucose; and anhydroxylitol, a ring-shaped form of xylitol. Each is listed as a humectant and skin conditioning ingredient. (COSMILE Europe; PubChem)
Does it help skin feel more hydrated?
Yes. In a study with volunteers, a gel containing the xylitylglucoside, anhydroxylitol and xylitol combination produced one of the most intense moisturising effects of the gels tested. (Leite e Silva et al., 2009)
Can it help skin look smoother?
Yes. In a study, a cream with the trio left the skin's surface looking smoother after a single application, compared with untreated skin. (Gougeon et al., 2023)
Where it comes from
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol, and anhydroxylitol is a ring-shaped form of it. (PubChem)
Xylitol and anhydroxylitol are listed as being of plant or synthetic origin, and xylitylglucoside is a condensation product of glucose and xylitol. All three are grouped with humectants and skincare ingredients. (COSMILE Europe)
Xylitol and anhydroxylitol are listed as being of plant or synthetic origin, and xylitylglucoside is a condensation product of glucose and xylitol. All three are grouped with humectants and skincare ingredients. (COSMILE Europe)
The research
- Leite e Silva VR, Schulman MA, Ferelli C, Gimenis JM, Ruas GW, Baby AR, Velasco MV, Taqueda ME, Kaneko TM. Hydrating effects of moisturizer active compounds incorporated into hydrogels: in vivo assessment and comparison between devices. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2009;8(1):32-39. PMID: 19250164. (opens in a new tab)
- Gougeon S, Hernandez E, Chevrot N, Vergne T, Cherel M, Prestat-Marquis E, Jomier M, Burty-Valin E. Evaluation of a new connected portable camera for the analysis of skin microrelief and the assessment of the effect of skin moisturisers. Skin Research and Technology. 2023;29(1):e13190. PMID: 36541033. (opens in a new tab)
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe) cosmetic ingredient database: Xylitylglucoside (a glucoside with xylitol as its alcohol component; functions: humectant, skin conditioning) (opens in a new tab)
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe) cosmetic ingredient database: Anhydroxylitol (1,4-Anhydro-D-Xylitol; functions: humectant, skin conditioning; origin: plant/synthetic) (opens in a new tab)
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe) cosmetic ingredient database: Xylitol (functions: humectant, skin conditioning humectant; origin: plant/synthetic, plant/biotechnology) (opens in a new tab)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 6912, Xylitol (pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentol, C5H12O5) (opens in a new tab)
Found In
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