Maltobionic Acid, The Exfoliant Your Skin’s Going to Thank You For

Ultra-gentle exfoliation, high payoff.

With the discovery and the ever-increasing use of polyhydroxy acids, we’re getting excited with every single buzzy acid, hoping that it’s going to be the next big thing.

Not because there’s a shortage of skincare products to try. But there is, indeed, a shortage of ingredients for people with reactive skin or skin that’s compromised and less resilient due to age. Enter maltobionic acid!

We love the mainstream fast-acting alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). But they overlook a wide variety of skin types, making exfoliation impossible for people with rosacea, sensitive skin, and aging skin.

Ironically, those are the skin types that need special care. That’s why maltobionic acid deserves your attention. Read on to learn what maltobionic acid is and how it benefits your skin.

What is Maltobionic Acid?

Maltobionic acid (MBA) is in the family of polyhydroxy acids. It belongs to a subgroup called aldobionic acids or bionic acids. Its immediate family is lactobionic acid and gluconolactone.

It’s derived from malt sugar. In skincare, maltobionic acid is used as a gentle exfoliant and a safer alternative to AHAs and BHAs.

Maltobionic Acid vs. AHAs & BHAs

As a general rule of thumb, if the acid you’re using has a small molecular size, it’s going to be more likely to irritate your skin and cause a burning sensation. Here are some numbers to help you get a better picture.

Glycolic acid is the most commonly used alpha-hydroxy acid. It has a molecular weight of 76.05 g/mol. And maltobionic acid has a molecular weight of 358.3 g/mol. It’s big. Contrary to other hydroxy acids, MBA gives you an irritation-free exfoliation, all thanks to its structure.

Benefits of Maltobionic Acid

Gentle Exfoliation: Maltobionic acid is one of the gentlest chemical exfoliants out there. You can use it as part of a light peel to get rid of dead skin cells. It doesn’t sting, irritate, or cause sensitivity.

Hydration Boost: Just like lactobionic acid and lactic acid, maltobionic acid is also hydrating for the skin. It attracts and binds water to the skin just like a humectant.

Antioxidant Benefits: Much like other polyhydroxy acids, maltobionic acid works as an antioxidant and protects the skin against free radicals.

Improves Skin Tone and Texture: As an exfoliant, MBA gently increases skin turnover, smoothing out skin texture, and reducing hyperpigmentation and the look of aging skin.

Pairs Well with Others: Unlike AHAs and BHAs, maltobionic acid can be safely used with other active ingredients like glycolic acid and even retinol. Layering them together doesn’t increase irritation.

No Photo-Sensitivity: Maltobionic acid does not cause photosensitivity, meaning that your skin won’t be extra sensitive to sunlight after using it.

Who Should Use Maltobionic Acid?

Maltobionic acid is a great addition to any skincare routine. However, the people who will benefit from it the most are the ones who are dealing with sensitive skin, dry aging skin, and rosacea like yours truly.

When you’re dealing with these, you rule out most of the mainstream anti-aging ingredients like exfoliants and retinoids. We can’t afford to further irritate our skin with those.

So if you have dry skin, you can exfoliate with maltobionic acid while increasing moisture. If you have sensitive skin, you can exfoliate with maltobionic acid without worrying about irritation.

How to Use It in Your Routine

Start with 2–3 times a week and increase frequency. You probably won’t need to worry about overdoing it, but still. You can’t be too careful, especially when you have sensitive skin.
You can eventually use it every day, but ease into it like you would with retinol or a new active ingredient.
Use maltobionic acid, especially if it’s a serum, after cleansing, before your usual serums and moisturizers.
You can also layer it with other ingredients like niacinamide, peptides, and even retinoids.

So this is how maltobionic works, how it benefits your skin. Again, this acid is still new. But it looks like we’ll see more of it. If you’ve been disappointed by stronger acids or your skin needs TLC instead of tough love, it might be time to give this underrated gem a spot in your lineup.