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Glucose

What Glucose is & what it does

Glucose is a simple sugar used as a humectant, meaning it helps attract and hold water in the upper layers of the skin. In a sunscreen or cream it supports a soft, hydrated feel and can help round out the texture. It is gentle and widely tolerated.

What is Glucose and what does it do in sunscreen?

Glucose is a simple sugar that acts as a humectant. Like other humectants, it helps draw and hold water in the surface of the skin, which supports a soft, hydrated feel. In a sunscreen it is a minor supporting ingredient that helps the formula feel comfortable rather than tight.

Is Glucose safe?

Yes. Glucose is a basic sugar found naturally in the body and in many foods, and as a cosmetic ingredient it is used at low levels and is well tolerated. It works on the surface of the skin and is not a known irritant for most people.

Does Glucose clog pores?

Generally no. Glucose is a water-loving sugar, not an oil or wax, so it is not considered a pore-clogging ingredient and it is not flagged as comedogenic. If you are breaking out, look to the heavier emollients in a formula rather than to a humectant like this.

What else is Glucose called?

On an ingredient list it appears simply as Glucose, its INCI name. It is the same simple sugar also known as dextrose. It usually appears low on the list, since it is used in small amounts as a humectant rather than as a main ingredient.

Is Glucose natural?

Yes, glucose is a naturally occurring simple sugar, and cosmetic glucose is typically derived from plant sources such as corn or other starches. It is processed and purified for use in formulas, but the molecule itself is the same sugar found in nature.

Sunscreens with Glucose

We rate 261 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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