Excellent Active Ingredient

Maltobionic Acid

INCI: MALTOBIONIC ACID

CAS Number
534-42-9
Function
Bionic acid (PHA subclass) with an even gentler profile than lactobionic acid. Functions as a gentle exfoliant, antioxidant, humectant, and chelating agent. Particularly suitable for post-procedure and rosacea-prone skin. Activity confined to outermost stratum corneum layers due to large molecular weight and multiple hydroxyl groups. No burning, stinging, or photosensitisation associated with AHAs.
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Assessed as safe for cosmetic use. Bionic acid PHA subclass with established safety profile analogous to lactobionic acid. Not specifically listed in FDA OTC monographs.

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.

Expert Verdict

Maltobionic acid is the gentlest PHA bionic acid, ideal for post-procedure skin, rosacea, and formulations where tolerability is paramount, combining gentle exfoliation with antioxidant, humectant, and chelating functions.

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Concern Level: None

Regulatory Flags

pha bionic-acid antioxidant chelating humectant no-photosensitivity gentlest-pha post-procedure-safe rosacea-safe fitzpatrick-iv-vi-preferred

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maltobionic Acid safe in cosmetics?

Maltobionic acid is the gentlest PHA bionic acid, ideal for post-procedure skin, rosacea, and formulations where tolerability is paramount, combining gentle exfoliation with antioxidant, humectant, and chelating functions. The EU classifies Maltobionic Acid as "permitted". Safety rating: EXCELLENT.

Is Maltobionic Acid allowed in the EU?

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

What does Maltobionic Acid do in cosmetics?

Maltobionic Acid functions as: Bionic acid (PHA subclass) with an even gentler profile than lactobionic acid. Functions as a gentle exfoliant, antioxidant, humectant, and chelating agent. Particularly suitable for post-procedure and rosacea-prone skin. Activity confined to outermost stratum corneum layers due to large molecular weight and multiple hydroxyl groups. No burning, stinging, or photosensitisation associated with AHAs.. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 534-42-9.

What is the Margin of Safety for Maltobionic 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 Maltobionic Acid compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

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Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
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Substance Compliance
Check compliance across 55 jurisdictions
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
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Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions

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