Gluconolactone ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is used as a gentle exfoliating acid, humectant, and chelating support ingredient. It helps smooth surface texture while also binding water and improving formula stability by interacting with metal ions.
What does Gluconolactone do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is used as a gentle exfoliating acid, humectant, and chelating support ingredient. It helps smooth surface texture while also binding water and improving formula stability by interacting with metal ions.
Is Gluconolactone clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient is generally well tolerated and has low irritation potential compared with smaller, faster-acting exfoliating acids. It has no major restricted-list friction when used at appropriate cosmetic levels and pH.
Is Gluconolactone sustainable?
This material is commonly made from glucose through fermentation or oxidation routes, so it can be sourced from renewable plant-derived feedstocks. It is readily biodegradable and does not raise persistence or bioaccumulation concerns.
Is Gluconolactone COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS for natural and organic cosmetics when sourced and processed according to the standard. Its renewable feedstock potential, biodegradability, and mild functional profile align well with Green Chemistry principles.
How does Gluconolactone work chemically?
The molecule is a cyclic ester sugar-acid derivative with multiple hydroxyl groups, which explains its water-binding behavior and slower, milder acidity release as the ring opens in water. Typical use levels are often around 0.5 to 2% for humectancy or preservation support and about 3 to 10% in exfoliating formulas, usually formulated in the mildly acidic range.
Last updated 2026-05-13