Gluconolactone in Skincare, Explained

You may have heard about polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) and were on your way to grab the first PHA exfoliant you could find. The thing is PHAs don’t show up as, well, PHAs on the ingredient list. Nope! You’ll find them listed as maltobionic acid, lactobionic acid, and gluconolactone.

Given that gluconolactone is the most widely used polyhydroxy acid found in skincare products, you were right to start with it. And you will not be disappointed. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about the use of gluconolactone in skincare products, how it helps your skin, and how to properly use it.

What is gluconolactone?

Gluconolactone is a type of polyhydroxy acid used in skincare products as a gentle exfoliant. It’s usually derived from corn and it’s commonly formulated into exfoliating face serums.

Just like other PHAs, such as lactobionic acid and maltobionic acid, gluconolactone has a large molecular size. It penetrates the skin slowly and gradually to gently resurface the skin, and improve skin tone and texture.

Because of this, gluconolactone has made a name for itself as one of the best chemical exfoliants to use on sensitive, reactive skin.

What are the benefits of gluconolactone for the skin?

1. Exfoliates

First and foremost, gluconolactone is a chemical exfoliant. It weakens the bond that holds dead skin cells together, sloughs them off from the surface of the skin, and increases skin turnover.

2. Suitable for all skin types

The most important benefit of gluconolactone is its ability to exfoliate without irritating your skin. That’s why all skin types can use gluconolactone and this includes people with sensitive skin and rosacea.

3. Has anti-aging benefits

Gluconolactone has anti-aging benefits comparable to glycolic acid. It aids in skin turnover and helps improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin discolorations.

4. Hydrates

Gluconolactone also works as a humectant. It attracts and binds water to the skin and hydrates it, giving it a smooth and plump appearance. That’s why gluconolactone, in addition to exfoliating serums, also comes in hydrating face serums.

5. Does not cause sun sensitivity

Another important benefit of gluconolactone is that, unlike other hydroxy acids, it does not cause photosensitivity. It means that your skin is no more sensitive to sunlight just because you’re exfoliating.

6. Can be used together with other active ingredients

Gluconolactone can also be used in conjunction with other active ingredients including retinoids. Most active ingredients like glycolic acid and vitamin C can’t be paired together because that increases the likelihood of irritation. That’s not the case with gluconolactone. So layer it with whatever you like.

How do you use gluconolactone in skincare?

If you’re wondering how you can incorporate gluconolactone into your skincare routine, know that it all depends on what you need and expect from it. But here are the best ways to benefit from it.

If you have rosacea or sensitive skin, you probably can’t use glycolic or salicylic acid to reduce wrinkles or acne. But you can safely use gluconolactone to exfoliate your skin without irritating it.

In that case, consider using a peel with gluconolactone or a PHA serum that also contains gluconolactone. And use it 1-2 times a week as part of your exfoliating routine.

Alternatively, if that doesn’t work and if your skin is prone to redness and dryness, consider using a daily toner with gluconolactone. This reduces the likelihood of over-exfoliation and also keeps your skin hydrated.

Additionally, if you’re currently using retinoids, you might be dealing with retinol peeling. Consider exfoliating by using gluconolactone to manage retinol peeling and flakiness.

Lastly, if you have dry, dehydrated, mature skin, you can use gluconolactone to exfoliate without visibly peeling your skin. This will also help increase the water content in your skin, resulting in a healthier, smoother, and plumper complexion.

Can you use gluconolactone every day?

This depends a lot on the product you’re using. For example, if you’re using an alpha-hydroxy acid serum that also contains gluconolactone, you probably can’t use it every day as it irritates your skin. But if you’re using something gentle like a daily toner, you can use gluconolactone every day.

So this is how gluconolactone works and how it benefits your skin. Be it for anti-aging or overall skin improvement, gluconolactone is an ingredient that’s definitely worthy of your attention.