Zinc Gluconate

Category: Skin-conditioning agent, formulation stabiliser
Used in: Skincare, haircare
INCI: Zinc Gluconate

Typical Usage Levels

• 0.1% – 0.5% for barrier-supportive skin and scalp formulations
  
• 0.5% – 1% in products designed for oil balance, sensitive skin, or reactive scalp types
  
• Used at low, controlled levels as part of multi-functional systems rather than as a single active
  

Zinc Gluconate at a Glance

• Zinc salt of gluconic acid with high skin compatibility
  
• Provides a biologically relevant form of zinc for topical use
  
• Helps support barrier stability and formulation balance
  
• Commonly used in dermatology-inspired, sensitive-skin formulations
  
• Suitable for regular, long-term cosmetic use
  

What This Ingredient Does

Zinc gluconate is the zinc salt of gluconic acid, a compound derived from glucose metabolism. In topical formulations, it acts as a bioavailable zinc source that supports skin and scalp balance without the harshness associated with stronger zinc salts.

Zinc is a trace element that plays a role in barrier integrity, enzymatic activity, and regulation of skin surface processes. When delivered in the gluconate form, zinc maintains functionality while remaining gentle and compatible with sensitive or daily-use formulations.

In skincare and scalp care, zinc gluconate is used to:

• Support balanced skin and scalp environments
  
• Help regulate excess surface activity without over-drying
  
• Improve formulation robustness and ingredient synergy
  

Rather than acting as an aggressive treatment ingredient, zinc gluconate strengthens the foundational performance of a formulation, making it especially valuable in products designed for long-term skin and scalp health.

Benefits

• Supports balanced skin and scalp environments
  
• Helps reinforce barrier-supportive formulations
  
• Contributes to oil and surface regulation without irritation
  
• Enhances formulation stability and ingredient synergy
  
• Suitable for daily-use skincare and scalp care
  

Who It’s Suitable For

• Skin and scalp prone to imbalance or sensitivity
  
• Oily, combination, or reactive skin types
  
• Scalp formulations targeting excess oil or buildup
  
• Daily-use skincare and haircare products
  
• Barrier-focused and dermatology-designed routines
  

Things to Know

Zinc gluconate is often chosen over more aggressive zinc salts because it offers better skin tolerance while maintaining functional zinc delivery. Its role in cosmetics is supportive but meaningful, helping create formulations that remain stable, balanced, and effective over time.

While zinc itself is well studied in dermatology, zinc gluconate in topical products is best understood as a regulatory and formulation-enhancing ingredient, rather than a standalone treatment active.

How It’s Commonly Used

Zinc gluconate is commonly found in:

• Barrier-focused moisturizers and serums
  
• Scalp care products for oil and buildup management
  
• Gentle formulations for sensitive or reactive skin
  
• Oral care products such as toothpastes (reflecting safety profile)
  

It is typically incorporated at low concentrations to support overall formulation performance rather than dominate activity.

Note by Dr. Su

(M.D. Dermatologist)

Zinc gluconate plays a quiet but important role in skincare and scalp care. By delivering zinc in a well-tolerated form, it supports balance, barrier function, and formulation integrity, making it especially useful in products designed for long-term skin and scalp health.

References

• Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), September 2018, pages 1–62
  
• Dermatology Research and Practice, July 2014
  
• European Journal of Dermatology, June 2000, pages 269–273