K-BeautySum

Ingredients · Exfoliating acids

Gluconolactone글루코노락톤

글루코노락톤geul-lu-ko-no-rak-ton
On a Korean label: 글루코노락톤 = Gluconolactone — PHA.

What it is

A PHA (polyhydroxy acid), which K-beauty brands market as the gentlest of the three acid types. The Korean dictionary lists it as a skin-conditioning agent.

On a Korean label

Written 글루코노락톤. Fronts of packs say PHA.

Korean rules

The Korean ingredient dictionary lists no limit, label caution or functional-ingredient status for it.

Questions

What is PHA in Korean skincare?

Polyhydroxy acid. The usual one is 글루코노락톤 (gluconolactone).

Sources

  1. Korea Cosmetic Association — ingredient dictionary (대한화장품협회 성분사전)

Checked 26 October 2026. Rules change — the official texts above are the final word.