Levulinic Acid
What Levulinic Acid is & what it does
A plant-derived preservative and skin-conditioning acid, often paired with sodium levulinate for natural preservation. It also adds light hydrating benefits.
Is Levulinic Acid safe?
Levulinic Acid is considered safe for use in cosmetics at the concentrations normally used, where it serves as a mild acid and part of preservative systems. It is generally well tolerated on the skin. As with any acid, very sensitive skin may prefer to patch test first.
What does Levulinic Acid do in skincare?
Levulinic Acid is mainly used to adjust and buffer a product's pH and to support its preservation, often paired with sodium levulinate. It also has some skin-conditioning properties. It is typically present in small, functional amounts rather than as an active treatment.
Is Levulinic Acid natural or synthetic?
Levulinic Acid can be produced from plant-derived sugars and starches, which is why it is sometimes described as nature-derived. The grade used in cosmetics is made through industrial processing of these raw materials. The final ingredient is the same compound regardless of source.
Sunscreens with Levulinic Acid
We rate 13 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:
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Bielenda Future Beauty Hybrid Eye Cream SPF 50
94/100
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Hur Laboratori Eco Reef SPF 50 Solar
93/100
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Topicrem Hydra+ Radiance Tinted Cream SPF 40 PA++++
89/100
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Q+A Peptide SPF 50 Anti-ageing Daily Sunscreen
86/100
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Biomaris Sun Cream SPF 30
83/100
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Suntribe Active Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
75/100
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Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi-action Ultra Face Cream With SPF 30
66/100
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Lancôme Rénergie Multi-Lift Ultra Spf 20
65/100
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Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Moisturizer Spf 30
64/100
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California Baby (No Fragrance) Super Sensitive Broad Spectrum Spf 30+ Sunscreen
49/100