The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Isomalt

The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Isomalt

The Sugar-Derived Moisture Film

Isomalt is a plant-sugar-derived humectant and film-former used to hold moisture and improve the feel of skincare.

It draws and binds water at the surface and lays down a light, smoothing film, leaving skin feeling hydrated, soft and comfortable.

Quick Insights

Ingredient Rating:

GOOD

Type of Ingredient:

Hydrator and Texture Enhancer

Intended Function:

A sugar-derived humectant and film-former used to hydrate and smooth the look and feel of skin.

Common Applications:

Used in serums and masks and night creams and moisturizers.

Target Audience:

Brands building hydrating, smoothing and naturally derived skin care.

Also Known As:

Isomalt, Isomaltitol

Benefits of Isomalt

A sugar-derived humectant and film-former used to hydrate and smooth the look of skin.

Hydration: Draws and binds water for a well-moisturized look.
Smoothing Film: Forms a light, flexible film for a smoother finish.
Soft Feel: Leaves skin feeling supple and comfortable.
Naturally Derived: Sourced from plant sugars such as beet.
Gentle: A mild, well-tolerated sugar humectant.

How It Works

Isomalt is a sugar alcohol that behaves as a humectant and light film-former: it attracts water to the skin’s surface and holds it in a thin, smoothing film, so skin looks and feels more hydrated, soft and even.

Formulating with Isomalt

Isomalt is water-soluble and added to the water phase, typically at cool-down and at low levels. It pairs well with other humectants and actives. Observe good manufacturing and preservation practice.

Safety Analysis

Isomalt is well tolerated with an excellent safety profile at cosmetic use levels. As always, substantiate the finished product’s safety (e.g. patch / HRIPT testing) in line with MoCRA requirements.

References

https://incidecoder.com/ingredients/isomalt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isomalt

https://cosmeticanalysis.com/cosmetic-ingredients/isomalt

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