Sorbitol and Xylitol

Contributor: tigerkate tigerkate
I tried to find other posts concerning this, but the search gave me nothing.

I am wondering why lubricants are only flagged by "Glycerin-free," when a lot of those glycerin-free lubes contain Sorbitol and some Xylitol.
A simple Google or Wiki search says that both of those are also Sugar Alcohols which can be used as laxatives.


I'm just wondering why there isn't more worry for this as there seems to be for glycerin.
Maybe those chemicals aren't as irritating as glycerin?


If someone could enlighten me, I'd really appreciate it.
I was very irritated by a glycerin-containing lubricant and I am wary now of all sugar-alcohol chemicals. If I don't need to be, I'd like to end my suspicions here.
01/31/2011
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Contributor: Taylor Taylor
I'm not an expert on this, but I do know that sugar alcohols are in tons of foods and I think you need to have quite a bit of them before it causes a laxative effect. The amount you would ingest using a lube probably isn't enough to have a laxative effect unless you are just outright eating the lube. If you've ever had sugar-free candy you've probably had sugar alcohol before.

I don't know whether or not they are irritating to more sensitive areas, but that's probably a trial and error thing.

Unfortunately it's just not realistic to avoid all chemicals. They are in there for a reason whether it's for texture, preservation, flavor, or whatever else it may be, but the chemicals are part of what makes the product work. You will just have to decide if the benefit is worth the risk. It might be a challenge to find a product that is both effective and does not have any chemicals in it
01/31/2011
Contributor: tigerkate tigerkate
My thing was that it acts essentially as glycerin does. The laxative effect is because of the chemical irritating the tissues in the anal canal, at least that is what I thought.

I'm not avoiding glycerin-lube because it's a laxative. I'm avoiding it because of how irritating it is to my skin (and because it caused a bad yeast infection).

I was wondering and concerned if sorbitol and xylitol also irritate the heck out of the tissues anally and vaginally in the same way.

And it's not too much of a challenge to find lubes without these things in them, I'm just wondering why glycerin is so much more broadcast.
01/31/2011
Contributor: Midway through Midway through
I'm just allergic to glycerin, however I'm not allergic to the others. My girlfriend is also- I think maybe it's just a common allergy where as the others aren't
01/31/2011
Contributor: LicentiouslyYours LicentiouslyYours
Actually, much of the concern about glycerin in lubricant is because yeast can use it like sugar, as food...causing overgrowth.

Xylitol has shown, in recent studies, to help control oral yeast infections, so I am assuming it does not have the same ability to "feed" a yeast infection that glycerin does.

I've not seen any similar information for Sorbitol, but nor have I seen anything about it feeding yeast infections either. Each chemical is different, so you have to treat them individually and can't assume that because they are all sugar alcohols that they all behave the same in the body.
02/01/2011
Contributor: tigerkate tigerkate
Quote:
Originally posted by LicentiouslyYours
Actually, much of the concern about glycerin in lubricant is because yeast can use it like sugar, as food...causing overgrowth.

Xylitol has shown, in recent studies, to help control oral yeast infections, so I am assuming it does not have the ... more
Ah, okay, thank you.

I was just really confused and wondering about those chemicals.
Thanks for the information. I haven't seen Xylitol as much as Sorbitol, but that is useful information.
02/01/2011