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Ingredient glossary

Glucose

What Glucose does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.

INCI: Glucose · Also: Dextrose, D-Glucose

Minor player

In short: Glucose delivers hydration and skin conditioning, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is limited.

What it does
Hydration, skin conditioning
Best for
Most skin types
Evidence
Limited
Does it clash with what you use? Check it →

Written by Maya FaourHow we score →

The molecule

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The Glow take

Nice to have, and nothing to overthink.

Glucose plays a quiet supporting role, rounding out a formula rather than being the reason you buy it.

— Maya

What it does

  • hydration
  • skin conditioning

limited evidenceThe CIR panel found monosaccharides including glucose safe as used in 2019 and ex vivo work shows glucose and salt mixtures bind water in the stratum corneum synergistically, but no human moisturization trial tests glucose alone.

Who it's for, and who should skip it

Tends to suit

  • dry
  • normal

Approach with care

  • rare allergy
  • Clogs poresLow
  • Irritation riskLow

How it fits each skin type

  • DrySuits
  • CombinationSuits
  • OilySuits
  • SensitiveSuits

Take extra care if any of these apply to you: rare allergy.

Where it fits in your routine

WhenMorning and evening
Where in the orderOn damp skin, before your moisturizer

Plays well with

Glucose, answered

Is Glucose safe during pregnancy?

Yes. Glucose is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.

Who should avoid Glucose?

Approach Glucose with care if any of these apply to you: rare allergy.

What concentration of Glucose actually works?

Its concentration is rarely printed on the label, so use the ingredient list as your clue: near the top third it is likely doing real work, near the bottom it is more of a sprinkle.

This, for every label you own

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Sources & how we reviewed this

  1. DOI 10.1177/1091581818814189abstract only, the full text is paywalled
  2. PMID 35065432abstract only, the full text is paywalled

Last reviewed August 2026. Educational information about a cosmetic ingredient, not medical advice.