Gluconolactone

Gluconolactone gently clears inflamed and non-inflamed acne lesions, balances sebum and moisture, and refines skin tone and pores with remarkably few side-effects. This versatile ingredient suits dry skin and oily skin particularly well, and it is most commonly found in gentle toners and soothing exfoliators. It fits seamlessly into a daily routine because it works well with glycolic acid, vitamin C, and AHA blend glycolic and citric acids.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023
This page shows gluconolactone products with a Lovi page. For every product, and a routine built for your skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular gluconolactone products
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CeraVe
Blemish Control Cleanser
CA$27.47
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Toning Toner
CA$28.00
-
BYOMA
Clarifying Serum
CA$23.00
- EADEM Cashmere Peel
- The INKEY List PHA Toner
-
Kiehl's
Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate
CA$87.00
-
StriVectin
Daily Reveal Exfoliating Pads
CA$49.00
- Hero Cosmetics Pore Release Blackhead Clearing Solution
Gluconolactone toners
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Toning Toner
CA$28.00
- The INKEY List PHA Toner
- Face Reality sal-C toner
-
Medik8
Press & Glow
CA$49.00
- Biologique Recherche Lotion P50V
- Augustinus Bader The Exfoliating Toner
What reviewers say about popular gluconolactone products
The highlight reviewers mention most for each popular gluconolactone product on Lovi.
CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser Smooths texture ★4.5 · 3.4k+ reviews
- Controls oil
- Gentle and non-stripping
- “skin feels baby soft”
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner Lightweight texture ★4.7 · 2.5k+ reviews
- Soothing and calming
- Good value
- “absorbs like water”
BYOMA Clarifying Serum Gentle and soothing ★4.4 · 1.3k+ reviews
EADEM Cashmere Peel Hydrating and moisturizing ★4.9 · 300+ reviews
- Improves skin texture
- Lack of visible results
- “It actually seemed to add a layer of moisture, making my skin feel plump and healthy, not stripped.”
The INKEY List PHA Toner Gentle exfoliation ★4.5 · 1.0k+ reviews
Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate Intense hydration ★4.6 · 1.3k+ reviews
- Lightweight texture
- Visible plumping
- “Feels like a drink of water”
Gluconolactone exfoliators
- EADEM Cashmere Peel
-
StriVectin
Daily Reveal Exfoliating Pads
CA$49.00
- Hero Cosmetics Pore Release Blackhead Clearing Solution
-
Farmacy
Brighten Up 3% TXA
CA$26.00
- AXIS-Y PHA Resurfacing Glow Peel
- BeautyBio Swipe & Glow Peel Pads
- CLIV PHA Mild Enzyme Powder
Other gluconolactone products
-
CeraVe
Blemish Control Cleanser
CA$27.47
- Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam
- OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Juice Daily Cleanser
-
La Roche-Posay
MELA B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
CA$33.00
-
BYOMA
Clarifying Serum
CA$23.00
-
SVR
Sebiaclear Serum
CA$46.00
-
Kiehl's
Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate
CA$87.00
- Neutrogena Bright Boost Gel Cream
- COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule
- RNW Der. Clear AHA BHA PHA Peeling Mask
Gluconolactone for dry skin
-
Kiehl's
Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate
CA$87.00
-
Medik8
Press & Glow
CA$49.00
- COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule
-
BYOMA
Clarifying Serum
CA$23.00
- AXIS-Y PHA Resurfacing Glow Peel
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Toning Toner
CA$28.00
- The INKEY List PHA Toner
-
La Roche-Posay
MELA B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
CA$33.00
- CLIV PHA Mild Enzyme Powder
- OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Juice Daily Cleanser
- Neutrogena Bright Boost Gel Cream
- Augustinus Bader The Exfoliating Toner
Gluconolactone for oily skin
- Biologique Recherche Lotion P50V
-
CeraVe
Blemish Control Cleanser
CA$27.47
-
SVR
Sebiaclear Serum
CA$46.00
- RNW Der. Clear AHA BHA PHA Peeling Mask
- The INKEY List PHA Toner
- Hero Cosmetics Pore Release Blackhead Clearing Solution
-
La Roche-Posay
MELA B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
CA$33.00
- CLIV PHA Mild Enzyme Powder
-
BYOMA
Clarifying Serum
CA$23.00
- COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule
- AXIS-Y PHA Resurfacing Glow Peel
- Augustinus Bader The Exfoliating Toner
Gluconolactone for combination skin
-
SVR
Sebiaclear Serum
CA$46.00
- RNW Der. Clear AHA BHA PHA Peeling Mask
- Biologique Recherche Lotion P50V
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Toning Toner
CA$28.00
- Hero Cosmetics Pore Release Blackhead Clearing Solution
-
CeraVe
Blemish Control Cleanser
CA$27.47
-
Medik8
Press & Glow
CA$49.00
- AXIS-Y PHA Resurfacing Glow Peel
- CLIV PHA Mild Enzyme Powder
-
La Roche-Posay
MELA B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
CA$33.00
- Augustinus Bader The Exfoliating Toner
-
BYOMA
Clarifying Serum
CA$23.00
Gluconolactone for sensitive skin
- AXIS-Y PHA Resurfacing Glow Peel
-
La Roche-Posay
MELA B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
CA$33.00
- The INKEY List PHA Toner
- CLIV PHA Mild Enzyme Powder
- Augustinus Bader The Exfoliating Toner
- COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule
- OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Juice Daily Cleanser
-
BYOMA
Clarifying Serum
CA$23.00
-
Kiehl's
Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate
CA$87.00
- Neutrogena Bright Boost Gel Cream
-
CeraVe
Blemish Control Cleanser
CA$27.47
- EADEM Cashmere Peel
What to combine gluconolactone with
| Ingredient | Together | How to use them |
|---|---|---|
| Works well | Use them together in the same routine, applying glycolic acid first and gluconolactone second, because they work nicely as a team. Gluconolactone and glycolic acid | |
| Works well | Use them together in the same routine, applying vitamin C first and gluconolactone second, because mild acids help vitamin C absorb better. Gluconolactone and vitamin C | |
| Works well | Use them together in the same routine, applying the acid blend first and the gluconolactone second for gentle exfoliation. Gluconolactone and aha blend glycolic and citric acids | |
| Works well | Use them together, applying salicylic acid first and gluconolactone second, because they make a gentle and hydrating exfoliating team. Gluconolactone and salicylic acid | |
| Works well | Use them together at night by applying lactic acid first and gluconolactone second, because the gluconolactone calms and hydrates skin. Gluconolactone and lactic acid | |
| Works well | Use them together in the same routine, applying the mandelic acid first and the gluconolactone right after, because they balance each other out. Gluconolactone and mandelic acid | |
| Works well | Use them together in the same routine, applying the mild acid first and then the hyaluronic acid, because they help each other hydrate and renew the skin. Gluconolactone and hyaluronic acid | |
| Works well | Use them together in the same routine, applying the exfoliating acid first and the gentle smoothing acid right after. Gluconolactone and citric acid | |
| Depends | Use them together because niacinamide strengthens skin while gluconolactone smooths texture. Gluconolactone and niacinamide |
From the ingredient rules behind the "Works well with" and "Don't mix with" notes on every product in the Lovi app.
Questions and answers
What does gluconolactone do for the skin?
Gluconolactone helps improve skin hydration, reduce sebum, and soothe mild acne or redness with fewer side effects. It also works as a gentle exfoliant that smooths skin texture and supports overall skin renewal.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023
How do you use gluconolactone?
You can use gluconolactone daily by applying it after glycolic, salicylic, lactic, or mandelic acid, or after vitamin C, to help hydrate and calm your skin.
Should you use gluconolactone in the morning or at night?
You can use gluconolactone in the morning or at night depending on your routine. When using it with lactic acid, apply it at night.
Can you use gluconolactone every day?
Yes, you can use gluconolactone every day as a gentle exfoliant and moisturizer. Studies show it helps improve skin hydration and reduce acne lesions over time with fewer side effects than traditional treatments.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023
Does gluconolactone cause purging or irritation?
Gluconolactone is unlikely to cause irritation because it is a very gentle, PHA exfoliating acid that hydrates the skin while smoothing texture.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023
Which skin types is gluconolactone best for?
Gluconolactone is best for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, as well as skin with dark spots. For example, Lovi rates Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate as a Superior fit for dry skin and Biologique Recherche Lotion P50V as a Superior fit for oily skin.
Can you use gluconolactone with glycolic acid?
Yes, you can use gluconolactone and glycolic acid together in the same routine by applying glycolic acid first and gluconolactone second, because they work nicely as a team.
Research on gluconolactone
Behind this ingredient guide
Lovi checks every ingredient with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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