Xylitylglucoside
Also known as: Xylitylglucoside, xylitol-based sugar, sugar derivative
Overview
Xylitylglucoside is a sugar derivative formed by combining xylitol (a sugar alcohol) and glucose (a monosaccharide). Primarily used as a saccharide humectant and skin moisturizing agent, it is a carbohydrate-based compound found in cosmetic and dermatological formulations. It functions by attracting and retaining water in the stratum corneum, thereby improving skin hydration and barrier function. While not naturally abundant, it is derived from plant sugars. Research on Xylitylglucoside is in its early to moderate stages, with most evidence coming from preclinical and small-scale clinical studies, often in combination with related compounds like xylitol and anhydroxylitol. It is recognized for its potential to stimulate protein synthesis related to skin barrier function.
Benefits
Xylitylglucoside primarily benefits skin hydration and barrier function. A pilot in vivo study demonstrated significant improvement in skin hydration and reduction in transeepidermal water loss (TEWL) within 24 hours when used in a formulation (MaxRich®). This suggests its efficacy as a humectant. It is also believed to stimulate the synthesis of skin proteins crucial for barrier integrity, such as filaggrin. Secondary benefits, extrapolated from studies on related sugars like xylitol, include potential anti-irritant effects and augmentation of collagen formation, suggesting roles in skin repair and protection. These properties make it potentially beneficial for individuals with dry or irritated skin, including those undergoing radiation therapy, when incorporated into emollient formulations. However, quantitative data are limited, and large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the magnitude and clinical relevance of these benefits.
How it works
Xylitylglucoside enhances skin hydration primarily by acting as a humectant. It attracts and retains water within the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, thereby increasing its moisture content. Beyond its humectant properties, it interacts with skin cells, specifically keratinocytes in the epidermis. It is believed to influence gene expression related to skin barrier and hydration, stimulating the synthesis of key proteins like filaggrin, which are vital for maintaining the skin's integrity and function. Due to its topical application and relatively high molecular weight, systemic absorption is minimal, ensuring its effects are localized to the skin.
Side effects
Xylitylglucoside is generally considered safe for topical use in cosmetic and dermatological formulations, with no significant adverse effects reported in available studies. There are no known common (over 5%), uncommon (1-5%), or rare (less than 1%) side effects documented. Furthermore, no drug interactions or contraindications have been established for its topical application. While there is limited specific data for special populations, it is presumed safe for general topical use. Oral toxicity studies in rats using mixtures containing xylitylglucoside showed no adverse effects up to 1000 mg/kg/day, except for minimal focal myocarditis in a few animals at the highest dose, indicating a good safety margin for oral exposure, though this data is not directly applicable to human oral supplementation.
Dosage
Optimal dosage ranges for Xylitylglucoside are not well-defined due to limited clinical data. Pilot studies have utilized formulations containing unspecified concentrations, making it difficult to establish a minimum effective dose. There is no reported toxicity at typical topical use levels. Oral toxicity studies in rats, involving mixtures containing xylitylglucoside, showed no adverse effects up to 1000 mg/kg/day, except for minimal focal myocarditis in a few animals at the highest dose. This animal data suggests a high safety margin but is not directly translatable to human oral supplementation. For topical application, hydration effects have been observed within 24 hours. It is typically used in moisturizing formulations, often in combination with other humectants like xylitol and anhydroxylitol, as its isolated effects require further research. Systemic absorption is limited, making topical application the preferred and safest route.
FAQs
Is xylitylglucoside safe for skin application?
Yes, current evidence indicates it is safe and well-tolerated in topical formulations with no significant adverse effects reported in studies.
Does it improve skin hydration?
Yes, pilot studies show significant improvement in skin hydration and barrier function after topical application, typically within 24 hours.
Is it effective alone or only in combination?
Most studies use xylitylglucoside in combination with other humectants; its isolated effects need further dedicated research.
Can it be ingested as a supplement?
No clinical evidence supports oral supplementation for humans; animal safety data is limited and not conclusive for human use.
How quickly does it work?
Hydration benefits have been observed within 24 hours post-application in pilot studies.
Research Sources
- http://www.ijss-sn.com/uploads/2/0/1/5/20153321/17_ijss_dec_oa17_-_2018.pdf – This pilot in vivo study evaluated a moisturizing formula containing xylitylglucoside (MaxRich®). It demonstrated significant improvement in stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) over 24 hours compared to a control. The study suggests xylitylglucoside's efficacy in enhancing skin hydration and barrier function, though it was a small-scale study without a large RCT design.
- https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/saccha032020SLR.pdf – This safety assessment report included a 28-day oral toxicity study in rats using a mixture containing approximately 25% anhydroxylitol and xylitylglucoside. Doses up to 1000 mg/kg/day showed no treatment-related adverse effects, except for minimal focal myocarditis in a few animals at the highest dose. This indicates a good safety margin for oral exposure in animals, though it's not directly applicable to human oral supplementation.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5320817/ – This source, while not directly on xylitylglucoside, provides a systematic review and meta-analysis on xylitol, a related sugar alcohol, in dental caries prevention. It highlights the need for high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to establish efficacy, providing context on the methodological standards required for robust clinical evidence for related compounds.