Excellent Active Ingredient Dermal Penetration

LACTOBIONIC ACID

CAS Number
96-82-2
Function
Polyhydroxy acid (PHA) exfoliant with large molecular weight (358 Da) that confines exfoliating activity to the outermost stratum corneum layers. Provides gentle exfoliation without the burning or irritation associated with AHAs. Offers potent antioxidant activity and metal-chelating properties. Strong humectant effect from multiple hydroxyl groups. Suitable for rosacea-prone, post-procedure, and Fitzpatrick IV-VI skin types.
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes CIR reviewed and assessed as safe in cosmetics. Polyhydroxy acid subclass distinct from AHA regulatory considerations. No photosensitivity concerns noted in clinical literature.

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
negligible
Sensitization
none

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Dermal Penetration Profile

Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of LACTOBIONIC ACID, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.

Absorption %
1-3%
Penetration Level
surface
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum
Molecular Weight
358.3 Da
Log P
-3.8
Systemic Absorption
no
Topical Bioavailability
0.5-2%
Safety Margin Factor
minimal
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation

Source: Cosmet Dermatol 2006

Expert Verdict

Lactobionic acid is the gentlest polyhydroxy acid exfoliant, offering superficial exfoliation with genuine antioxidant and metal-chelating benefits, making it ideal for sensitive, rosacea-prone, eczema-affected, post-procedure, and Fitzpatrick IV-VI skin types with no photosensitivity or irritation at clinical concentrations.

⚠️
Concern Level: None

Regulatory Flags

pha bionic-acid antioxidant chelating no-photosensitivity sensitive-skin-safe barrier-safe rosacea-safe post-procedure-safe fitzpatrick-iv-vi-preferred

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LACTOBIONIC ACID safe in cosmetics?

Lactobionic acid is the gentlest polyhydroxy acid exfoliant, offering superficial exfoliation with genuine antioxidant and metal-chelating benefits, making it ideal for sensitive, rosacea-prone, eczema-affected, post-procedure, and Fitzpatrick IV-VI skin types with no photosensitivity or irritation at clinical concentrations. The EU classifies LACTOBIONIC ACID as "permitted". Safety rating: EXCELLENT.

Is LACTOBIONIC ACID allowed in the EU?

LACTOBIONIC ACID EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does LACTOBIONIC ACID do in cosmetics?

LACTOBIONIC ACID functions as: Polyhydroxy acid (PHA) exfoliant with large molecular weight (358 Da) that confines exfoliating activity to the outermost stratum corneum layers. Provides gentle exfoliation without the burning or irritation associated with AHAs. Offers potent antioxidant activity and metal-chelating properties. Strong humectant effect from multiple hydroxyl groups. Suitable for rosacea-prone, post-procedure, and Fitzpatrick IV-VI skin types.. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 96-82-2.

What is the Margin of Safety for LACTOBIONIC ACID?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

Compliance Tools

Check LACTOBIONIC ACID compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

🔬
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
 🌸
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
 🧪
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across 55 jurisdictions
 🧮
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
 ⚗️
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions

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