Gluconolactone

Introduction

What is gluconolactone?

Gluconolactone is an aldonic acid that is often referred to as a polyhydroxy acid because of the hydroxyl groups attached to the carbon atoms of its alicylic chain (R). It is found in honey, wine and musts (R, R), and is an important metabolite formed from glucose in the pentose phosphate pathway during the biosynthesis of ribose (R).

Does gluconolactone get absorbed?

Due to its larger molecular structure, gluconolactone is expected to be absorbed into the skin more gently and more gradually than traditional alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid or lactic acid (R). However, we were not able to find any published studies or data on how well gluconolactone penetrates the skin.

Efficacy

Show 7 more outcomes
Outcome	Grade	Effect	Evidence	Studies
Skin Brightness	B	🠩 Slight	★★★ Fair	2 studies 68 participants
Skin Barrier Function	B	🠩 Slight	★★★ Fair	2 studies 11 participants
Acne	B	🠫 Slight	★★★ Fair	1 study 89 participants
Skin Redness	B	🠫 Slight	★★★ Fair	1 study 11 participants
Skin Firmness	C	🠩 Slight	★★ Some	1 study 57 participants
Facial Pores	C	⇩ Potential	★★ Some	1 study 57 participants
Skin Smoothness	C	⇧ Potential	★★ Some	1 study 57 participants
Wrinkles	C	⇩ Potential	★★ Some	1 study 57 participants
Fine Lines	C	⇩ Potential	★★ Some	1 study 57 participants
Hyperpigmentation	C	⇩ Potential	★★ Some	1 study 57 participants
Skin pH	D	🠫🠫🠫 Marked	★ Basic	1 study
Sunburn	E	– No Effect	★★ Some	1 study 10 participants

Mechanisms

Outcome				Grade		Effect		Evidence		Studies
UV Protection				D		🠩🠩🠩 Marked		★ Basic		1 study
Glycation				D		🠫 Slight		★ Basic		1 study

Side Effects

Outcome	Effect	Frequency	Studies
Itching	⇧ Increase	—	1 study
Peeling	⇧ Increase	—	1 study
Skin Redness	⇧ Increase	—	1 study
Skin Discomfort	⇧ Increase	—	1 study
Skin Hydration	⇩ Decrease	—	1 study

Latest Research

What is gluconolactone?

Does gluconolactone get absorbed?

Efficacy and tolerability of a depigmenting gel serum comprising tranexamic acid, niacinamide, 4-butylresorcinol, phytic acid, and a mixture of hydroxy acids that targets the biological processes regulating skin melanogenesis (2024)

Antiaging bionic and polyhydroxy acids reduce nonenzymatic protein glycation and skin sallowness (2014)

A double-blind, randomized clinical trial of 20% alpha/poly hydroxy acid cream to reduce scaling of lesions associated with moderate, chronic plaque psoriasis (2013)

Acute acidification of stratum corneum membrane domains using polyhydroxyl acids improves lipid processing and inhibits degradation of corneodesmosomes (2010)

Clinical and cosmeceutical uses of hydroxyacids (2009)