Glucose

The details

Glucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent. Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated. It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with. Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface. Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin . This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff. In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.

Effects

Found in (2 products)

By WishTrend

Vitamin A-mazing Bakuchiol Night Cream

Night Moisturizers

Reef safeAlcohol-freeParaben-free+4

Purcell

24/7 Colostrum Pore Defense Ampoule

Setting Sprays & Powders

Oil-freeReef safeAlcohol-free+5