Lactobionic acid is a disaccharide formed between beta-D-galactose and D-gluconic acid.
- Lines C
- Dryness C
- Amount studies used
- 4–10%
- When
- evening
- Irritation
- low
Grades were set by reading this ingredient’s studies. They describe the ingredient, not every product that contains it.
How much products actually contain
22 products state the amountmedian 0.01%0% at or above the amount studies used (4–10%)
- under 0.01% 4
- 0.01–0.1% 17
- 0.1–1% 1
- 1% or more 0
Amounts are mostly stated by products named after the ingredient, so they may lean towards token amounts.
Of the products containing it, 58 list it before the 1% line and 42 after it (usually 1% or less).
Where no amount is stated, a product listing it early reaches the study amount about 18% of the time, one listing it late about 3%.
Clinical evidence grade by skin concern
- C
- uncontrolled or multi-ingredient studies
Products using this ingredient
12 of 100 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 100
VerbVerb Ghost™ Exfoliating Scalp Nectarlikely too little
TOSOWOONGAHA Blackhead Out Cleansing Oillikely too little
NOT4UFor Oily Skin Back Acne/Chest Acne Clear Body Mist for Men 200mllikely too little
FarmstayFarmstay Tea Tree Biome Toner Pad 140ml (70 Pads)likely too little
FarmstayFarmstay Rice & Peptide Moisture Toner Pad 140ml (70 Pads)likely too little
MUCIPIMUCIPI Remove 38 Trouble Body Mistlikely too little
NOT4UClear Body Mist 200mllikely too little
CelimaxEraser Cica BHA Blemish Toner Pad 60 Sheetslikely too little
CelimaxCica Eraser Pad Special Setlikely too little
Dr.OrgaHouttuynia Red Spot Mist Toner 150mllikely too little
CelimaxCelimax Cica Eraser Pad 60 Sheetslikely too little
Josie MaranJosie Maran Fresh Facedlikely too little
Definition
Lactobionic acid is a disaccharide formed between beta-D-galactose and D-gluconic acid. It has a role as an antioxidant. It is functionally related to a lactose. It is a conjugate acid of a lactobionate.
Source: PubChem
US FDA substance register · UNII 65R938S4DV · registered name LACTOBIONIC ACID · single chemical substance
Cosmetic roles
Safety & regulatory references
Canada
- Conditions of Use by product type : (a) Products for use on the skin for consumer use. Manufacturer or importer to provide pH levels. (b) Products for use on the skin for professional use: Manufacturer must provide Health Canada with evidence of safety including: 1. pH levels 2. AHA concentrations 3. Directions for use 4. Clinical studies demonstrating minimal skin irritation (c) Products intended to be diluted in bath water may contain levels of AHAs exceeding 10% (d) Other cosmetics (e) Any cosmetics
- Maximum Concentration Permitted : (a) Between 3% and 18% total mono-AHA equivalents with a pH equal to or greater than 3.5 (b) Between 18% and 30% total mono-AHA equivalents and/or a pH between 3.0 to 3.5 (d) Between 3% and 30% total mono-AHA equivalents with a pH equal to or greater than 3.0 (e) 3%
- Warnings and Cautionary Statements: (to the effect of) : (a) and (b) : "Use only as directed", "Avoid contact with the eyes", "If irritation persists, discontinue use and consult a physician", "It is recommended that prior to exposure to the sun, users cover areas where AHAs have been applied with sunscreen" Product labels should contain appropriate directions regarding frequency and/or duration of use. (b only) "For professional use only" (d) "Use only as directed", "Avoid contact with eyes", "Discontinue use if rash or irritation occurs"
Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information
Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance
Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer
Source: EU CosIng ingredient list
More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature
Official labels & definitions
JCIA labelling name ラクトビオン酸: 本品は、次の化学式で表される酸性糖である。
Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)
Names & identifiers
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 96-82-2
- EC No.EU chemical inventory number
- 202-538-3
- DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID
- DTXSID3048861
- DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID
- DTXCID6028787
- IUPAC
- 4-O-beta-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-gluconic acid
- Molecular formula
- C12H22O12
- Molecular weight
- 358.296 g/mol
Measured properties
- Appearance
- solid
- Colour
- white
- Melting/freezing point
- 113~130 ℃
- Vapour density
- 12.37
- n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow)
- -4.89
- Molecular weight
- 358.3
Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.
Source: KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)
What products actually use it for
What the 3 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.
- pH regulating agent3
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Related literature
- Determination of the Optimal Conditions for the Purification and Recovery of Lactobionic acid from Whey · 2026
- Co-ingestion of soy isoflavones and lactobionic acid improves facial stratum corneum hydration: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial · 2026
- Chemical Versus Biological Approaches to the Synthesis of Lactobionic Acid: A Review · 2025
- Influence of Lactobionic Acid on Hydration and Elasticity Parameters in Women Aged 30–40 and 50–60 Years in Comparison to Mandelic Acid · 2025
- Temperature-Dependent Acoustic and Thermodynamic Study of Vitamin B Compounds in Lactobionic Acid Solutions · 2025
Linked databases 19
- ChEBI
- ChEMBL
- China inventory of existing ingredients (IECIC)
- EU CosIng ingredient list 2
- JCIA labelling names (Japan)
- Korea Cosmetic Association ingredient dictionary
- Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)
- KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic ingredient register 2
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information 2 3
- PubChem
- Tlooto literature search 2 3 4 5
- UniChem cross-reference IDs
- US EPA CompTox dashboard 2
- US EPA DSSTox chemical database
- US FDA substance registration (GSRS)
- US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)
- Wikidata
- Wikipedia · English · Japanese · Chinese