Glucose is a naturally occurring monosaccharide and an important carbohydrate used as a functional cosmetic ingredient in personal care formulations. It is also known as D-glucose or dextrose and is commonly obtained from the hydrolysis of starch-derived materials. In cosmetic applications, glucose is primarily valued for its moisture-retaining properties and its compatibility with water-based formulations.
As a humectant, Glucose can attract and retain moisture, supporting formulations designed to maintain a hydrated and comfortable skin feel. It can be incorporated into skincare, haircare, cleansing and oral-care formulations depending on the intended product composition and grade.
The cosmetic INCI name is GLUCOSE.
Anhydrous D-Glucose has the molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₆ and molecular weight 180.16 g/mol. Glucose may also be supplied in monohydrate form, with the formula C₆H₁₂O₆·H₂O and molecular weight 198.17 g/mol.
The current USP-NF Dextrose monograph recognizes both anhydrous and monohydrate forms and specifies 97.5–102.0% dextrose calculated on the anhydrous basis. The USP assay uses a chromatographic procedure, so an HPLC/LC-type assay can be appropriate when the supplied material is actually tested against that specification.
For cosmetic raw-material supply, the exact specification should always correspond to the physical form, manufacturing process and approved product COA.
Glucose is principally used as a humectant cosmetic ingredient, helping formulations retain moisture. COSMILE identifies Glucose as a humectant and fragrance-functional excipient.
Its high water solubility makes it suitable for aqueous formulations. Depending on the formulation system, glucose can contribute to the sensory and functional characteristics of moisturising products while providing a carbohydrate-based ingredient option.
Glucose can also be relevant to formulations where mild sweetness or flavour functionality is required, particularly in oral-care products. Its functionality should be considered together with the complete formulation because concentration, pH, water activity and preservation system can influence finished-product stability.
Glucose Cosmetic Ingredient can be considered for a variety of personal-care formulations, including:
Glucose is particularly useful where a formulation requires a water-soluble humectant. Commercial material may be supplied as crystalline solid or in other defined grades, so the physical form should be selected according to the manufacturing process.
Glucose is highly soluble in water and can therefore be incorporated into suitable aqueous phases. The formulation developer should consider the selected grade, hydration state, concentration, pH, water activity and compatibility with other ingredients.
Anhydrous glucose and glucose monohydrate should not be treated as interchangeable specifications without accounting for their different water content and molecular weights. For this reason, the product COA should clearly identify the supplied form.
Where USP-NF grade is required, the applicable pharmacopeial requirements should be verified against the current specification. For cosmetic applications, finished-product regulatory requirements remain dependent on the destination market and intended use.
Swapnroop supplies Glucose Cosmetic Ingredient for manufacturers and formulators seeking a functional carbohydrate-based raw material for personal-care applications. As a cosmetic ingredient manufacturer and bulk supplier in India, the material can be evaluated according to the required grade, physical form and applicable technical specification.
Glucose is suitable for applications where moisture retention, water solubility and carbohydrate-based formulation functionality are required. Bulk cosmetic ingredient supply should be supported by appropriate technical documentation and batch-specific quality information.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |