FRUCTOSE
Fructose is a simple sugar, also called a monosaccharide. FRUCTOSE on an ingredient list refers to this small carbohydrate, which occurs naturally in fruit and honey; it does not mean that the product contains fruit pulp, fruit extract, or a fruit fragrance.
FRUCTOSE: what it is
Fructose is a simple sugar, also called a monosaccharide. FRUCTOSE on an ingredient list refers to this small carbohydrate, which occurs naturally in fruit and honey; it does not mean that the product contains fruit pulp, fruit extract, or a fruit fragrance.
Its name also distinguishes it from syrups and blended sweeteners: this is fructose as a defined substance, not high-fructose corn syrup. In cosmetics it can be added as a purified carbohydrate, while the raw-material source used by a manufacturer cannot be identified from the ingredient name alone.
FRUCTOSE: what it does in cosmetics
In cosmetics, fructose is used as a humectant. A humectant binds water and helps the preparation retain moisture, which can be useful for keeping the texture of water-based products pleasant while they are being applied.
On skin, that role can contribute to a less rough or tight-feeling finish just after application; it does not make fructose a treatment for dry skin or disease. The feel and visible performance of a finished product depend on its complete formula and on the amount actually used.
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
