Quick answer
A plant-derived sugar that consists of two glucose molecules; Hydrates via retention of moisture; Functions as a skin conditioning ingredient; Also known as maltobiose or malt sugar; Has skin, medical, and food applications Key benefits: Hydration.
Maltose
Updated
D-Glucose, 4-O-.alpha.-D-glucopyranosyl-
Purpose
A humectant and natural sugar that hydrates by helping skin retain moisture and provide skin conditioning.
Rating
GOOD
Category
Humectant
INCI Purpose
FRAGRANCE, MOISTURISING, SKIN CONDITIONING
Benefits
Alternative Names
At a Glance
A plant-derived sugar that consists of two glucose molecules
Hydrates via retention of moisture
Functions as a skin conditioning ingredient
Also known as maltobiose or malt sugar
Has skin, medical, and food applications
Article
Maltose, also known as maltobiose or malt sugar, is a natural sugar that’s often derived from malt, or germinated cereal grain. As a sugar, it’s a disaccharide that’s composed of two glucose molecules bonded together.
This disaccharide has food, health and skin care applications. When used in skin care, maltose serves as a humectant and skin conditioning ingredient, helping the skin to retain moisture, ultimately aiding in skin hydration.
In food applications, maltose is used as a sweetener. In health applications, maltose serves as a material used to make dissolvable microneedles that deliver substances to skin. In recent studies, maltose was used to create microneedles that delivered retinal and adenosine to the skin in anti-aging procedures.
Research has also suggested that hydrolysable sugars, such as maltose, when combined with anti-hyperglycemic agents can help fade hyperpigmentation and improve uneven skin tone when taken orally. Maltose is safe for use in cosmetics in concentrations between .3 and .5% per the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel.
See: Glucose, Sucrose
References