Lactobionic acid

Lactobionic acid is a polyhydroxy acid consisting of a molecule of galactose (a chemically neutral sugar) and a molecule of gluconic acid (which occurs naturally in the skin and can hold significant amounts of water) containing numerous hydroxyl groups. Its systematic name is 4-O-β-d-galactopyranosylo-d-gluconic acid. Lactobionic acid is a type of important organic acid that performs many biological functions and can be used in the food, medical and cosmetic industries.

Application in cosmetic industry:

Lactobionic acid is a hygroscopic component that can retain water. At the molecular level, it acts in the same way as hyaluronic acid: it saturates all layers of the skin with moisture by attracting liquid.
It prevents damage to cell membranes due to oxidation and is used to combat aging.
Lactobionic acid also has a positive effect on the dermal matrix – by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (proteolytic enzymes), it stops the destruction of collagen and elastin.
Due to the ability to form chelate compounds with metals of variable valence, including iron, lactobionic acid has no equal in its stabilizing properties.

The complex of actions that lactobionic acid has on the skin:

• cleansing and renewal of the skin;
• moisturizing and maintaining hydrobalance;
• fight against photoaging and glycoaging;
• alignment of relief and skin tone;
• rejuvenation and smoothing of wrinkles;
• antioxidant effect, fight against pigmentation and post-acne;
• anti-inflammatory effect.

One of the advantages of lactobionic acid is its gradual penetration into the skin – having a high molecular weight and large molecule size, lactobionic acid penetrates the skin gradually. The effect of lactobionic acid is so mild that it can be used for all skin types.

Recommended dosage

In cosmetics 0.1% ~ 1.0%.