Mannitol is a sugar alcohol renowned in cosmetics for its hydrating and texture-enhancing properties. It draws moisture to the skin and binds it to make the surface appear soft, smooth, and supple. Moreover, it fights off free radicals, protecting the skin from oxidative damage and premature aging. In formulations, Mannitol blends ingredients together and improves the texture of products to make them creamier. It is usually added to moisturizers, serums, sunscreens, cleansers, sheet masks, makeup powders, and also hair care products. Mannitol is a natural ingredient that is very safe for use and widely tolerated by sensitive skin.
Products with MANNITOL
With samples available
EXO FDS FolliXield
by INdermal by Nanovex Biotechnologies
- Sustainable option
- Original documents
V3DS Sculpt
by INdermal by Nanovex Biotechnologies
- Sustainable option
- Original documents
What is MANNITOL used for?
- Humectant - Mannitol draws moisture to the outer layers of the skin and binds it there to hydrate the skin and make it feel soft and nourished. It is lightweight and does not feel sticky. In hair care, this ingredient coats the shafts to make them softer and more manageable.
- Antioxidant - Mannitol protects both the skin and the product from oxidative stress. This protects the skin from premature aging and keeps the formulations from degrading over time. When used in hair care, Mannitol protects the hair from the damaging effects of environmental pollution.
- Emulsifying - Mannitol blends ingredients together and keeps them from separating. It gives products a creamy, uniform texture by improving the viscosity. This enhances the stability and feel of emulsions, ensuring a consistent texture over time.
Origin
Mannitol occurs naturally in brown seaweed, fruits, vegetables, and certain tree saps. If naturally-derived, plant material is first dried, and then the sugars are extracted using hot water. This is followed by the separation of Mannitol using filtration, ion-exchange, and crystallization. The resulting Mannitol is purified and used in clean-label cosmetics.
However, most of the cosmetic-grade Mannitol is synthetically made by hydrogenation of sugars. For this, fructose is chemically reduced to form a mixture of Mannitol and Sorbitol. Mannitol is separated using fractional crystallization. Synthetic production of Mannitol is more common in cosmetics as it is scalable, cost-efficient, and provides higher purity.
In its raw form, Mannitol appears as a white crystalline powder or as colorless crystals. Its chemical formula is C6H14O6.
What does MANNITOL do in a formulation?
VISCOSITY CONTROLLING|
HUMECTANT|
ANTIOXIDANT|
MOISTURISING|
SKIN CONDITIONING|
EMULSIFYINGSafety Profile
Mannitol is very safe for use in cosmetics and is approved by regulatory bodies worldwide. It is non-toxic, non-irritating, and has no usage restrictions. Even at high concentrations, Mannitol shows no signs of adverse effects. It is non-comedogenic and is frequently used in soothing or gentle formulations. Additionally, Mannitol is biodegradable and safe for the environment.
MANNITOL technical profile
| Property | Values |
Boiling Point | 290°C - 295°C |
Melting Point | 168°C |
pH | 5.0 - 6.5 |
Solubility | Soluble in water |