Ingredient glossary
Mannitol
On your shelf ✓What Mannitol does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Mannitol · Also: D-Mannitol
In short: Mannitol delivers hydration and antioxidant, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is limited.
- What it does
- Hydration, antioxidant
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Evidence
- Limited
The molecule
The Glow take
Nice to have, and nothing to overthink.
Mannitol plays a quiet supporting role, rounding out a formula rather than being the reason you buy it.
— Maya
What it does
- hydration
- antioxidant
limited evidenceThe radical scavenging is in vitro chemistry, established and not disputed. What is missing is anything published on skin linking it to a visible outcome.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- all
- dry
- sensitive
Approach with care
No specific group flagged to avoid it.
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- humectants
- glycerin
- antioxidants
Mannitol, answered
Is Mannitol safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Mannitol is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Mannitol?
No specific group is flagged to avoid Mannitol. It is well tolerated by most skin. Still, introduce anything new one product at a time.
What concentration of Mannitol actually works?
Its concentration is rarely printed on the label, so use the ingredient list as your clue: near the top third it is likely doing real work, near the bottom it is more of a sprinkle.
This, for every label you own
One ingredient is easy. A full label is where it gets confusing. The Ingredient Decoder reads any product and tells you the honest truth, ingredient by ingredient.