Sorbitol is a polyol and cosmetic ingredient widely used in personal-care and cosmetic formulations because of its moisture-retaining properties. It is also known chemically as D-Glucitol and has the CAS Number 50-70-4, molecular formula C₆H₁₄O₆, and molecular weight 182.17 g/mol.
Sorbitol occurs as a white or almost white crystalline material and is highly soluble in water. It has a strong affinity for water, making it particularly useful in formulations where maintaining moisture and improving the sensory characteristics of the product are important.
In cosmetic applications, Sorbitol is primarily recognized as a humectant and skin-conditioning ingredient. It can help retain moisture within a formulation and contribute to maintaining the desired hydration characteristics of cosmetic products.
Sorbitol is available in both solid and aqueous forms. Sorbitol powder and Sorbitol Solution should not be treated as identical raw materials because their concentration, water content, physical form and specifications are different.
Sorbitol is a six-carbon sugar alcohol with the molecular formula C₆H₁₄O₆ and molecular weight 182.17 g/mol. Its systematic name is D-glucitol. The material is commonly manufactured from glucose through catalytic hydrogenation followed by purification and crystallization.
The current USP-NF monograph defines Sorbitol as containing NLT 91.0% and NMT 100.5% D-sorbitol on an anhydrous basis. The USP assay uses chromatographic analysis, so the assay can appropriately be described as an HPLC/LC-type assay when the supplied product follows the applicable USP method.
Pharmaceutical-grade specifications can additionally control pH, water content, reducing sugars, related substances, residue on ignition, conductivity and elemental impurities. For example, a current commercial USP/Ph. Eur.-aligned specification reports pH 3.5–7.0, water NMT 1.5%, residue on ignition NMT 0.1%, and reducing sugars NMT 0.3%.
Sorbitol functions primarily as a humectant, meaning that it helps hold and retain moisture in cosmetic formulations. This property makes it particularly useful in products where maintaining water balance and reducing undesirable drying characteristics are important.
It is also recognized as a skin-conditioning ingredient, helping maintain the skin in good condition. Cosmetic ingredient references additionally recognize Sorbitol for fragrance-functional applications where it may serve as a functional component of perfume oils or flavours.
Because Sorbitol is highly water-soluble, it can be incorporated relatively easily into aqueous formulations. Its compatibility with water-based systems makes it useful across a broad range of personal-care products.
Sorbitol can be used in a wide variety of cosmetic and personal-care formulations, including:
In skin-care products, Sorbitol can contribute to the moisture-retention characteristics of the formulation. In oral-care and cleansing formulations, its water-binding properties can contribute to product texture and formulation stability.
Sorbitol can also be supplied as Sorbitol Solution. The current USP-NF monograph defines Sorbitol Solution as an aqueous solution containing NLT 64.0% D-sorbitol, making it technically distinct from solid Sorbitol.
Sorbitol is hygroscopic and should be protected from excessive moisture during storage and handling. Solid grades can be supplied as powder, granules or crystalline material, with particle size and physical characteristics varying according to the intended application.
For formulation development, important considerations include water content, pH, concentration, reducing sugars, related substances and microbial quality where applicable.
A pharmaceutical-grade Sorbitol specification may include water NMT 1.5%, pH 3.5–7.0, residue on ignition NMT 0.1%, and nickel NMT 1 mg/kg. These values are useful reference specifications but should only be applied to an SDP product if the actual grade conforms to the corresponding standard.
The finished formulation should also be evaluated for stability, compatibility and the desired sensory properties because the concentration of Sorbitol can influence viscosity, tackiness and overall product feel.
Sorbitol is a versatile cosmetic ingredient used by manufacturers of skin-care, hair-care, oral-care and personal-care products. A Sorbitol Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer in India can support cosmetic manufacturers requiring high-quality Sorbitol for humectant and skin-conditioning applications.
For B2B procurement, buyers should evaluate the grade, D-sorbitol assay, water content, reducing sugars, related substances, pH, residue on ignition, elemental impurities and physical form. The specification should correspond to the intended cosmetic application and applicable quality standard.
Sorbitol is available as a powder or crystalline material as well as in concentrated aqueous solution formats. Selecting the correct form is important because solid Sorbitol and Sorbitol Solution have different composition and technical specifications.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |
| Assay (HPLC) | 91.0–100.5% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.1% |
| pH (1% Solution) | 3.5–7.0 |
| Individual Impurity | NMT 2.0% |
| Total Impurities | NMT 3.0% |
| Water Content | NMT 1.5% |
| Melting Point | 110–112°C |