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How Can Gluconolactone Help Your Skin?

How Can Gluconolactone Help Your Skin?
SkinStore Editors
Writer and expert7 years ago
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Gluconolactone is a natural substance that can often be found in creams and serums. Gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid (PHA), offers all the benefits of AHAs but it is gentle to the skin and is suitable for sensitive skin.

In skin care products, gluconolactone can serve either as an active ingredient (an ingredient that is included in a formula to provide benefits for the skin) or as an additive (an ingredient that is included to help improve the overall quality of the product). As an active ingredient, gluconolactone is often added to formulas because of its skin-conditioning properties.

This ingredient is an acid, but slightly gentler on the skin than acids you might have heard of, for example lactic or glycolic acid. Those with sensitive or very mature skin might prefer gluconolocatone as it is milder and kinder.

The molecules that come together to form gluconolactone are naturally attracted to water. When the ingredient is applied to the skin, these "water hungry" molecules pull moisture out of the air and allow it to be absorbed by the skin. By drawing water droplets from the air in this way, gluconolactone helps to soften and soothe dry skin and replenish lost moisture. In addition, gluconolactone forms a barrier on the skin, preventing moisture already present in the tissue from evaporating. As a result, the substance is often used as an active ingredient in moisturizers, hair conditioners, body lotions and body butters.

Clinical studies on gluconolactone that have occurred in recent years suggest that the substance may have additional benefits when used as an active ingredient however, more research is necessary to prove definitively that gluconolactone possesses the properties that these initial studies show. Some evidence exists to suggest that gluconolactone is a mild anti-bacterial and may be useful in products designed for treating acne. The ingredient may also improve skin cell turnover and function similarly to alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid.

For a spa-like experience, try Red Flower's Moroccan Rose Purifying Body Wash and follow up with SpaRitual's Look Inside Organic Moisturizing Lotion.

 

SkinStore Editors
Writer and expert
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Our team of beauty experts cover everything from skincare to makeup, picking out the most effective products from the best brands and latest trends. Stay up to date on everything beauty with the SkinStore blog, and find all your essentials in one place.
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