Sodium Gluconate at a Glance
- The synthetic salt form of gluconic acid
- Helps improve the stability of skin care formulas
- Can function as a humectant, helping skin retain water
- The human body can produce gluconates on its own
Sodium Gluconate Description
Sodium gluconate for skin is the salt form of gluconic acid, a mild acid produced from the sugar glucose. Despite the in-part sugar origins, sodium gluconate in skin care is a synthetic ingredient.
In skin care, sodium gluconate functions as a chelating agent. Chelating agents are ingredients that bind with metal ions to enhance the stability of other ingredients. Interestingly, the human body produces gluconates on its own to assist in obtaining nutrients from minerals.
In addition to being a chelating agent, sodium gluconate in skin care can also function as a humectant, meaning it helps skin retain a balanced amount of water. Its typical use level in cosmetics is 0.1-1.0%.
Sodium Gluconate References
International Journal of Toxicology, May/June 2019, pages 5S-38S
Journals of Materials Research, February 2006, pages 343-348
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-08/documents/support_document_for_proposed_designation_of_d-gluconic_acid_sodium_salt.pdf