Raffinose is a naturally occurring trisaccharide composed of galactose, glucose and fructose units. It is found in various plant-derived materials and is commonly associated with sugar beet and other botanical sources. As a carbohydrate-based cosmetic ingredient, Raffinose is used primarily for its moisture-related and skin-conditioning properties.
Raffinose is particularly relevant to modern personal-care formulations where sugar-derived ingredients are incorporated into moisturising and skin-conditioning systems. Its multiple hydroxyl groups provide strong interaction with water, making the ingredient suitable for formulations where moisture retention and a comfortable skin feel are important.
The INCI name is RAFFINOSE, with CAS Number 512-69-6 and EC Number 208-146-9. Commercial Raffinose is frequently encountered as a hydrated material, including the pentahydrate form.
Raffinose is a trisaccharide with the molecular formula C₁₈H₃₂O₁₆. The anhydrous molecular weight is approximately 504.44 g/mol. The pentahydrate form has the additional crystallization water associated with its solid structure and is identified by CAS Number 17629-30-0.
Commercial analytical material is commonly supplied as Raffinose Pentahydrate. A current commercial specification for D(+)-Raffinose pentahydrate reports ≥99.0% by HPLC, water 14–16%, sulfated ash ≤0.1% on a dry basis, and specific optical rotation of +103.0° to +107.0° under the stated test conditions. These are supplier-specific analytical specifications and should not be presented as a universal cosmetic COA requirement.
Raffinose is used as a skin-conditioning cosmetic ingredient and is associated with water-binding and moisture-management properties. Its trisaccharide structure provides several hydroxyl groups capable of interacting with water.
In skincare formulations, this characteristic can make Raffinose useful in products designed to support a moisturised and comfortable skin feel. It can be considered alongside other carbohydrate-based ingredients such as Glucose, Fructose, Sorbitol, Mannitol, Trehalose and Sucrose.
Raffinose should be described according to its established cosmetic function rather than making unsupported claims about treating specific skin conditions. Its practical contribution depends on concentration, formulation structure and the combination of other ingredients.
Raffinose Cosmetic Ingredient can be considered for:
Raffinose is particularly relevant to formulations where a water-soluble carbohydrate ingredient is desired. Its application should be determined using the technical characteristics of the selected grade.
The hydration state of Raffinose is an important consideration during formulation. Anhydrous Raffinose and Raffinose Pentahydrate contain different amounts of water and therefore have different molecular weights on an as-supplied basis.
Formulators should account for water content when calculating the active material contribution to a formulation. Processing conditions, storage humidity, temperature and packaging can also influence the physical characteristics of hydrated sugar materials.
Where high-purity Raffinose is required, HPLC purity, water content, ash and optical rotation can be useful quality-control parameters. However, supplier-specific analytical specifications should not automatically be treated as universal cosmetic standards.
Swapnroop supplies Raffinose Cosmetic Ingredient for manufacturers and formulators seeking carbohydrate-based raw materials for skincare and personal-care formulations. Raffinose can be evaluated for moisture-focused and skin-conditioning applications where a sugar-derived ingredient is appropriate.
As a cosmetic ingredient manufacturer and bulk supplier in India, Swapnroop supports B2B sourcing requirements for cosmetic raw materials. The appropriate Raffinose grade should be selected according to hydration state, purity, application requirements and the approved technical specification.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |