What it is
In the register’s words: “Xylitol is the pentahydric alcohol.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- XYLITOL
- CAS number
- 87-99-0
- EC number
- 201-788-0
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Xylitol in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Humectant
-
Holds water in the product and on the surface it touches. Glycerin, honey and aloe are common humectants on curly-hair labels.
Register definition: “Retaining and/or preserving the moisture in a product during use.”
- Skin humectant
-
Draws water into the top layers of skin. Glycerin-type ingredients carry it alongside the plain humectant role.
Register definition: “Increasing the water content of the top layers of the skin. Humectants are primarily hygroscopic agents drawing moisture from the surrounding air.”
- Anti-seborrheic
-
The register’s role for ingredients used against the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, including dandruff. On a label it says why a maker may add it, not that a product treats dandruff.
Register definition: “Preventing or relieving the symptoms of seborrhea and/or seborrheic dermatitis, including dandruff.”
- Deodorant
-
Reduces or covers unpleasant smells.
Register definition: “Reducing and/or eluminating unpleasant odour. Contributing against the formation of malodour on body surfaces.”
- Flavoring
-
Gives a product a taste. On a hair label it is a role the ingredient has elsewhere, such as in lip balm or toothpaste.
Register definition: “Imparting taste and/or flavour to a cosmetic product.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Shampoos 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Shampoos without it
- Stylers 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Stylers without it
- Heat protectants 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Heat protectants without it
- Curl refreshers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Curl refreshers without it
Every label, product by product (5)
- OLAPLEX Nº.4CURL Bond Shaper Hydrating Curl Shampoo Shampoo 35th of 62 names
- Bouclème Super Volumising Foam Styler 25th of 36 names
- Bouclème Super Hold Styler Styler 36th of 48 names
- OLAPLEX Nº.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum Heat protectant 20th of 31 names
- Curlsmith Shake & Shine Curl refresher 37th of 51 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other humectant ingredients on these labels
- Propylene Glycol 22 labels
- Honey 19 labels
- Butylene Glycol 14 labels
- Sorbitol 11 labels
- Sodium Hyaluronate 8 labels
- PCA 5 labels
- Phytantriol 5 labels
- Anhydroxylitol 3 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.