Trehalose is a naturally occurring non-reducing disaccharide and cosmetic ingredient composed of two glucose units joined through an α,α-1,1 linkage. It is identified by CAS Number 99-20-7, with the molecular formula C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ and molecular weight 342.30 g/mol in its anhydrous form.
Trehalose is widely recognized in cosmetic formulations for its humectant and moisturising properties. It has a strong ability to interact with water, making it useful in formulations designed to support skin hydration and moisture management. Cosmetic ingredient references list TREHALOSE specifically as a humectant and moisturising ingredient.
Trehalose is also known for its role in protecting biological structures against dehydration. This characteristic has contributed to its use in modern cosmetic formulations focused on hydration and protection from environmental or dehydration-related stress.
Trehalose is a stable, non-reducing disaccharide containing two glucose molecules connected through an α,α-1,1 glycosidic bond. The anhydrous form has a molecular formula of C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ and molecular weight 342.30 g/mol. Trehalose is also commonly supplied as a dihydrate, with the formula C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁·2H₂O and molecular weight 378.33 g/mol.
The current USP-NF monograph defines Trehalose as containing 97.0–102.0% trehalose calculated on the anhydrous basis. The USP description states that it is obtained through enzymatic conversion of food-grade starch.
FCC describes Trehalose as a non-hygroscopic, white crystalline powder that is freely soluble or readily dispersible in water. Trehalose is commonly used in its dihydrate form, making the hydration state an important consideration when calculating formulation quantities and interpreting analytical results.
Trehalose functions primarily as a humectant and moisturising ingredient. As a humectant, it helps hold and retain moisture within a cosmetic formulation, while its moisturising function relates to increasing the water content of the skin and helping maintain a soft and smooth skin surface.
Its ability to interact with water and biological structures has made Trehalose particularly relevant to hydration-focused skin-care formulations. It can be incorporated alongside other humectants and moisturising ingredients as part of a broader moisture-management system.
Trehalose is not primarily a conventional preservative. Its presence in a formulation should therefore not be considered a replacement for an established preservation system unless the complete formulation has been specifically evaluated for microbial protection.
Trehalose can be considered for a variety of cosmetic and personal-care formulations, including:
Its high water compatibility makes it suitable for aqueous formulation systems. Cosmetic formulation references also describe its use in skin-care, hair-care and other personal-care products.
Trehalose can be combined with other humectants and conditioning ingredients when developing multi-functional hydration systems. The final formulation should nevertheless be evaluated for stability, sensory characteristics and compatibility.
Trehalose is generally easy to incorporate into water-based formulations because of its high water solubility. The anhydrous versus dihydrate form should be clearly identified because the two forms have different molecular weights and therefore require different formulation calculations.
Trehalose is described by FCC as non-hygroscopic, which can be advantageous during handling and storage of the crystalline raw material.
Quality control may include identity, assay, water content, related sugars, specific rotation, residue on ignition, elemental impurities and microbiological parameters where applicable.
The USP-NF assay range of 97.0–102.0% on an anhydrous basis is an established reference. Because the result is calculated on an anhydrous basis, water determination is particularly important when evaluating the actual material.
Trehalose is a specialty cosmetic ingredient used in moisturising and hydration-focused personal-care formulations. A Trehalose Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer in India can support cosmetic manufacturers requiring controlled-quality Trehalose for skin-care, hair-care and other personal-care applications.
For B2B procurement, buyers should evaluate the CAS number, hydration state, assay, water content, appearance, solubility, related substances and applicable quality standard. Particular attention should be given to whether the supplied material is anhydrous or dihydrate.
As a cosmetic raw material and personal care ingredient, Trehalose provides a water-compatible carbohydrate-based option for formulations requiring humectant and moisturising functionality.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |