Gluconolactone (Ingredient Explained + Products)

PHAs are generally less irritating than AHAs/BHAs. They help to exfoliate dead skin-cells and act as a humectant.

The most common cause of textured skin is a build up of dead skin cells. The easiest way to get rid of textured skin is to exfoliate and give your skin the proper nutrients.

Pores are tiny openings in the skin that release sweat and oil. Everyone has them, and it’s completely normal for them to be visible. While factors like excess oil, acne, sun damage, and even genetics can make pores appear larger, these ingredients may help minimize their appearance. Just keep in mind: you can’t erase pores entirely, and that’s okay!

Helps with Anti-Aging

As we age, factors like reduced oil production, collagen breakdown, UV exposure, and lifestyle choices all affect how our skin looks and feels. While we can’t stop the aging process, ingredients like retinoids, antioxidants, and certain peptides have been shown to help slow visible signs of aging.

Good for Scar Healing

These ingredients are commonly used to support the skin’s natural healing process and improve the appearance of scars over time. While results can vary, they may help with texture, discoloration, and overall skin recovery.

Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.

When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.

PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.

Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:

It is a humectant and helps draw moisture to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
It exhibits antioxidant activity and neutralizes free-radical molecules. Antioxidants help with anti-aging.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent oxidation.
It works well with other actives, often enhancing the benefits of other ingredients.

In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.

This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.