Excellent Humectant

Mannitol

CAS Number
69-65-8
Function
Anti-caking agent; Binder; Deodorizer; Flavouring and nutrient; Fragrance; Humectant; Lubricating agent; Processing aids not otherwise specified; Softener and conditioner; Solvent
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes FDA GRAS for oral use; cosmetic use unrestricted. CIR-reviewed polyol. Gentle humectant suited for sensitive-skin formulations.

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
negligible
Sensitization
none

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Mild, gentle sugar-alcohol humectant with 6 hydroxyl groups providing solid water-binding capacity. Lower hygroscopicity than glycerin or sorbitol makes it ideal for formulations where moderate humectancy without heaviness is desired. Well-suited for sensitive-skin formulations and products targeting compromised barrier function.

⚠️
Concern Level: None

Regulatory Flags

polyol-humectant 6-oh-groups gentle-sensitive-skin fda-gras sugar-alcohol ifra_fragrance fda_food_additive jecfa_safe

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mannitol safe in cosmetics?

Mild, gentle sugar-alcohol humectant with 6 hydroxyl groups providing solid water-binding capacity. Lower hygroscopicity than glycerin or sorbitol makes it ideal for formulations where moderate humectancy without heaviness is desired. Well-suited for sensitive-skin formulations and products targeting compromised barrier function. The EU classifies Mannitol as "permitted". Safety rating: EXCELLENT.

Is Mannitol allowed in the EU?

Mannitol EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Mannitol do in cosmetics?

Mannitol functions as: Anti-caking agent; Binder; Deodorizer; Flavouring and nutrient; Fragrance; Humectant; Lubricating agent; Processing aids not otherwise specified; Softener and conditioner; Solvent. It is classified as a Humectant in our database. CAS number: 69-65-8.

What is the Margin of Safety for Mannitol?

not established The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

Compliance Tools

Check Mannitol compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

🔬
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
 🌸
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
 🧪
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across 55 jurisdictions
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
 ⚗️
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions

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