Anhydroxylitol

We confirmed this ingredient's definition and its registered function in public regulatory databases, but found no published study data on how the ingredient itself acts on the skin (checked by KAIAN, September 2026). We will update this page if new reports appear.

A saccharide formed when xylitol loses one water molecule and cyclises. A humectant that brings moisture to the stratum corneum

A five-membered ring formed by intramolecular dehydration of xylitol (C5H12O5 to C5H10O4, CAS 53448-53-6), with three hydroxyl groups - fewer hydrophilic sites than xylitol. CosIng lists its functions as HUMECTANT / SKIN CONDITIONING

Maximum reported use in leave-on products is 0.28-0.88% (CIR 2021 / 2018 US industry survey). Commercial raw materials may be supplied as a mixture, e.g. xylitylglucoside 35-50%, anhydroxylitol 24-34%, xylitol 5-15% (supplier information cited by CIR)

The human study assessed skin microrelief parameters 8 hours after a single application of a cream containing the three-component blend (xylitylglucoside, anhydroxylitol, xylitol). Timing for the single ingredient is unconfirmed

CIR concluded it is safe in present practices of use (2021 final report; published in Int J Toxicol 2025). A dried trade material containing about 35% anhydroxylitol was non-irritating in a rabbit skin test and non-sensitising in a guinea pig maximisation test. There are no confirmed human efficacy data for the single ingredient; reports use the three-component trade mixture