What does gluconolactone do in skin care and what are its benefits?
You may have never heard of gluconolactone, and I can’t blame you if you’re complaining about having to go through a chemical peel yet again. But I’d be lying if I said this clever PHA should be ignored. There’s a lot of magic packed into this humble skin ingredient, and you’ll be amazed at the difference your skin can make in its appearance, especially since gluconolactone is considered the gentlest acid on the market. So what exactly is it about this gentle skin giant that makes it stand out from the crowd? That’s exactly what we’re going to explore today.
What is gluconolactone?
As a member of the PHA family, gluconolactone is known as the gentlest chemical peel and has one of the largest molecular sizes, meaning it can’t penetrate deeply into the skin, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin who still need to remove the buildup of dead skin cells. Despite its many benefits, gluconolactone is less likely to be found at active levels in skin care formulas compared to powerful AHA and BHA ingredients like glycolic and salicylic acids. However, gluconolactone provides impressive support for active ingredients by exfoliating the skin and locking in moisture to the skin. These moisturizing properties alone mean that introducing PHAs into your daily routine will benefit your skin, making it look and feel healthier.
What are the benefits of gluconolactone for skin?
You’ll find that gluconolactone is a multi-tasking ingredient that provides countless benefits to the skin and helps you achieve an overall flawless complexion. Here are some of the key benefits you can expect when you incorporate this PHA into your daily routine.
Provides Antioxidant Properties to the Skin
Studies have shown that the antioxidant properties of gluconolactone cannot compare to other ingredients like vitamins C and E. However, gluconolactone is praised for its ability to neutralize free radicals and the damage they can cause to the skin. It is also able to bind to free radicals, thereby inhibiting damage caused by the sun, pollution, central heating, and other environmental stressors.
Exfoliates
Since gluconolactone is a PHA, it can exfoliate the skin by disrupting the attachment of the dead skin cell layer to the outer surface of the skin. When these cells build up, it can lead to flaky, dry patches and dull skin with uneven texture. You may also notice the appearance of breakouts like pimples and blackheads, which can become severe depending on your skin type. For example, oily skin is more susceptible to breakouts due to excess sebum in the pores. Typically, other sensitive and dry skin types cannot use any form of chemical peel without experiencing some form of skin irritation. However, as mentioned earlier, gluconolactone is very gentle and, like all PHAs, can be used by people with skin allergies and skin issues like eczema and rosacea. You may find that common side effects like redness and irritation are less likely to occur than with stronger chemical peels like glycolic acid and salicylic acid.
Hydrates the Skin
One of the unique properties of a PHA like gluconolactone is that it is a humectant, meaning: h. It draws moisture from the surrounding areas of the face and retains it in the skin. This keeps your skin hydrated and looks plump. Fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced, and the complexion looks more youthful.
Because gluconolactone has so many skin benefits and is so gentle, it’s easy to incorporate into your skincare routine. However, we must stress the importance of first patch testing any new product or ingredient that has never been applied to the skin. If you have any further concerns about using gluconolactone, it’s best to consult a doctor or trained professional.
How to Use Gluconolactone in Your Skin Care Routine
For some products, such as moisturizers, for example, the formula is gentle enough to apply twice a day. It really depends on the specific product you want to use when introducing gluconolactone into your skincare routine. For stronger products, such as acid toners and exfoliants, you should limit the frequency of use as this may cause irritation, especially if your skin type is sensitive. Regardless of your skin type, you may find that your complexion benefits from alternating products with complementary ingredients that can be used safely with gluconolactone, such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. For stronger ingredients like retinoids and vitamin C that don’t mix easily with gluconolactone, try using them at different times of the day, such as a vitamin C serum in the morning and a gluconolactone-rich serum in the evening.
Since this PHA is a humectant, you will find that combining it with a moisturizing product like a serum will increase the moisture content of your skin, giving you an overall more hydrated, glowing complexion. Dry patches disappear, fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed, while the skin becomes more elastic and signs of sagging are reduced due to moisturization.
What are the side effects of gluconolactone?
Since gluconolactone is a PHA, you will experience very few or no side effects when using it in your daily life. We must remember that it is still an acid and should be used with caution, especially if your skin is sensitive or prone to eczema and dermatitis flare-ups. If you use an acidic tonic rich in gluconolactone, your skin may still experience some redness and flashes after use, but the redness will calm down within a few minutes. Dryness, stinging, and itching should not occur, and if you notice these reactions, it is recommended to stop using the product immediately.
Today, I hope I’ve given you some insight into gluconolactone and the skin benefits you can expect when using it in your daily routine. As we’ve already discussed, this clever PHA may not be a staple in your favorite skincare formula, but it plays an important role in taking your skincare to the next level and quickly resolving your skin concerns. If you’d like to learn more about PHAs, you can read our blog post on what are polyhydroxy acids and their benefits for skin.
