Provides comprehensive pore refinement, barrier repair, and redness reduction, combining Gluconolactone's gentle PHA exfoliation with Niacinamide's ceramide-boosting and melanosome-blocking activity.
Read the passport글루코노락톤 · 전성분
Gluconolactone
A next-generation Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) and natural ester of gluconic acid that provides ultra-gentle, non-irritating surface exfoliation, hydrates the skin barrier through multiple hydroxyl groups, chelates pro-oxidant metals, and protects dermal elastin from UV damage.
- INCI
- GLUCONOLACTONE
Also called PHA · Polyhydroxy Acid · Glucono-delta-lactone · D-Glucono-1,5-lactone · Gluconic Acid Lactone
Early-stage page
This ingredient page is still early. We're actively researching before it's ready to stand fully on its own — check back as more sections are verified.
The short answer
Four lines, each compressed from the section it links to. Every line carries the sources of the claim it compresses.
- What it does
Clinical Acne Lesion Reduction with Superior Skin Tolerance
See the evidence - Where it goes
toner, serum, or moisturizer step · day and night
See how to use it - What shows, and when
14 days: Significant decrease in skin surface TEWL, restoration of acidic surface pH, and reduced facial shine.
Source2
See the timeline
How to use it
Where it sits in the seven-step ladder, and the record's own fields for the habit.
아침DayDay: used
저녁NightNight: used
day and night
Cleanser클렌저
Toner토너 sits here
Essence에센스
Serum세럼 sits here
Eye cream아이크림
Moisturizer크림 sits here
Sunscreen자외선차단제
Filled steps are where Gluconolactone commonly appears. No product is recommended.
Everything here comes from the sources below. None of it is a product recommendation.
- Time of day
- day and night
- Where it sits
- toner, serum, or moisturizer step
- Starting frequency
- daily
- Amount
- pea-sized amount or few drops
- Application
- Apply evenly to clean, dry skin on the face and neck as a toner pad, serum, or cream. Gently pat until absorbed.
- Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and light. Keep container tightly closed to prevent premature hydrolysis in high humidity.
Plays well with / keep apart
One card per pair. Where the partner has its own passport, the name links to it.
Do layer it with
Synergistically amplifies stratum corneum hydration, combining Gluconolactone's multiple hydroxyl humectant groups with Hyaluronic Acid's multi-depth water-binding matrix.
Read the passportWhat to expect, and when
The record's own timeline. Each step keeps the source of the study it came from.
- Immediate
Instant skin smoothing, hydration, and softening of dry surface texture.
- 14 days
Significant decrease in skin surface TEWL, restoration of acidic surface pH, and reduced facial shine.
Source2
- 12 weeks
Clinically proven reduction in inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions and a clearer, more uniform complexion.
Source1
Is this safe for me
Everything the record says about suitability, consolidated. Pause-first comes first.
Before you start
Exceptionally gentle and suitable for sensitive, rosacea-prone, or compromised skin barriers. Does not significantly increase photosensitivity, but daily sun protection remains a standard best practice.
Best match
sensitive skin
compromised skin barrier · rosacea-prone skin · mild-to-moderate acne · dry skin · photoaged skin
Routine
toner, serum, or moisturizer step
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not medical advice · ask your own clinician
Pregnancy. A 2011 dermatology review of skin-care product safety in pregnancy names hydroquinone (high systemic absorption) and tretinoin (evidence controversial) as the actives of concern, and states that most other topical skin-care products act locally and produce minimal systemic absorption; Gluconolactone is not named among the flagged concerns 4. This is general topical-product reasoning rather than an ingredient-specific safety trial. If you are pregnant, ask your doctor before use.
Breastfeeding. Topical application is applied locally with minimal expected systemic absorption; no ingredient-specific breastfeeding safety trial was located. As a general precaution common to topical actives, avoid applying directly to the breast or nipple area, since incidental transfer to a nursing infant has not been studied for this ingredient. If you are breastfeeding, ask your doctor before use.
| Common, and it usually settles | Stop using it |
|---|---|
| None typically expected. Gluconolactone is exceptionally well-tolerated with negligible stinging or flaking. | persistent redness |
| localized itching | |
| burning sensation | |
| allergic rash |
Allergen history
Not yet researched
Research in progress — check back soon. How we verify
Who should not use it
Not yet researched
Research in progress — check back soon. How we verify
What it will not do
- The 14% clinical acne clearance demonstrated in controlled trials cannot be assumed for low-dose (0.1%-0.5%) rinse-off formulations.
- The metal-chelating photoprotective benefits of Gluconolactone do not function as a chemical or physical UV filter and must be paired with broad-spectrum sunscreens for daytime protection.
- The superior barrier tolerance of PHA gluconolactone cannot be extrapolated to small-molecule AHAs like glycolic acid or lactic acid.
The evidence
One card per claim. Concentration, form, population and limitation sit with it, always visible.
Grade legend
- Indicative
- Limited
- Moderate
- Strong
Clinical Acne Lesion Reduction with Superior Skin Tolerance
IndicativeBoth 14% gluconolactone and 5% benzoyl peroxide significantly reduced inflamed and non-inflamed acne lesions compared to placebo over 12 weeks; gluconolactone caused significantly fewer side effects (dryness, stinging, redness) than benzoyl peroxide.1
- Tested concentration
- 14.0%
- Which form
- Pure Bio-Fermented Gluconolactone
- Population and duration
- 150 patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris applying 14% gluconolactone lotion vs 5% benzoyl peroxide vs placebo twice daily for 12 weeks
- Limitation
- Tested at 14% concentration in a prescription/clinical lotion format; lower daily OTC cosmetic doses (1-5%) provide gentle maintenance and barrier support.
Skin Barrier Function Enhancement, TEWL Reduction, and Acidic pH Restoration
Indicative10% and 30% gluconolactone chemical peels significantly lowered skin TEWL and surface pH values with seboregulatory properties; no significant difference was found between the two concentrations.2
- Tested concentration
- 10.0% to 30.0%
- Which form
- Pure Bio-Fermented Gluconolactone
- Population and duration
- 16 female subjects receiving 3 biweekly split-face chemical peel applications evaluated 7 days post-treatment
- Limitation
- Evaluated in a chemical peel protocol; daily leave-on usage at lower concentrations (2-10%) provides gradual, continuous barrier maintenance.
Photoprotection and Dermal Elastin Matrix Protection Against UV Radiation
IndicativeGluconolactone provided up to 50% protection against UV-induced elastin promoter activation, as measured in an in-vitro transgenic elastin promoter model, and did not significantly increase sunburn cell formation in human skin after UV exposure.3
- Tested concentration
- physiologically active concentration (2.0% to 10.0%)
- Which form
- Pure Bio-Fermented Gluconolactone
- Population and duration
- In-vitro transgenic elastin promoter mice models and human skin UV exposure trials
- Limitation
- The 50% protection figure is an in-vitro measurement, not a directly observed human skin-photoprotection outcome; the human portion of the study assessed sunburn-cell tolerability only. Does not replace broad-spectrum UV filters.
The clinical recordHow it works · Forms · Manufacturing · Regulations · Study ledger · Gaps · Sources
How it works
- Corneodesmosome Hydrolysis and Acidic pH Restoration
Gradually releases gluconic acid to lower skin surface pH to its natural acidic range, optimizing acid mantle function and loosening corneocyte adhesion.
What that rests on: split-face clinical trial measurements
Source2
- Pro-Oxidant Metal Chelation and Photoprotection
Chelates transition metal ions (such as iron and copper) to prevent Fenton reaction ROS generation, preserving dermal elastin fibers against UV degradation.
What that rests on: in-vitro transgenic elastin promoter assays
Source3
- Antibacterial and Seboregulatory Action
Inhibits Cutibacterium acnes proliferation and normalizes follicular keratinization to clear inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions.
What that rests on: double-blind clinical trial
Source1
Reading the label
| Attribute | Pure Bio-Fermented Gluconolactone |
|---|---|
| What it is | The standard crystalline PHA cyclic ester that hydrolyzes gradually in aqueous media into gluconic acid, providing sustained, gentle exfoliation and humectancy. |
| Official INCI | GLUCONOLACTONE |
| Where it comes from | Fermentation of glucose derived from corn or plant starch by Aspergillus niger or Gluconobacter strains |
| How it is made | Produced via fungal or bacterial aerobic fermentation of glucose into gluconic acid, followed by enzymatic crystallization into glucono-delta-lactone (gluconolactone). |
How it is actually made
- Produced via bio-fermentation of glucose derived from non-GMO corn starch using fungal strains (Aspergillus niger) or bacterial fermentations. The resulting gluconic acid solution is concentrated and crystallized into pure glucono-delta-lactone.
What the evidence rests on
Study records
Double-blind, randomized, active- and placebo-controlled clinical trial1992
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Both 14% gluconolactone and 5% benzoyl peroxide significantly reduced inflamed and non-inflamed acne lesions compared to placebo over 12 weeks in 150 patients. Gluconolactone caused significantly fewer side effects (dryness, stinging, redness) than benzoyl peroxide.
Where it falls shortEvaluated at 14% concentration in an anti-acne lotion format; daily OTC cosmetic products typically use lower concentrations (1-5%).
Source1
Split-face prospective clinical trial, 16 female subjects2023
Evaluation of the effects of 10% and 30% gluconolactone chemical peel on sebum, pH, and TEWL
GLA significantly lowered skin pH and TEWL and showed seboregulatory properties. No significant differences were found between the two concentrations tested.
Where it falls short16 female subjects; measured 7 days after the last of 3 biweekly split-face procedures.
Source2
In-vitro transgenic photoaging assay and human clinical UV exposure trial2004
The polyhydroxy acid gluconolactone protects against ultraviolet radiation in an in vitro model of cutaneous photoaging
Gluconolactone provided up to 50% protection against UV radiation as measured in the in-vitro transgenic elastin promoter system, and did not significantly increase sunburn cells in human skin after UV exposure.
Where it falls shortIn-vitro transgenic elastin promoter model for the efficacy figure; the human portion assessed tolerability (sunburn cells), not photoprotective outcome directly. Requires pairing with sunscreens for complete UV protection.
Source3
What is still missing
Not yet researched
Research in progress — check back soon. How we verify