Trehalose: The Ultimate All-Rounder Ingredient! 2 Surprising Extra Uses You Didn’t Expect

From food and biotechnology to skincare, trehalose is everywhere. But why is this sugar not only safe to eat but also so widely used in topical products? What makes it such a multifunctional superstar across different fields? Let’s uncover the science and wide-ranging benefits behind this so-called “miracle sugar of life.”

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“Sugar of Life”: What Is Trehalose—The Universal Carbohydrate from Food to Skincare

Trehalose is a natural, non-reducing disaccharide composed of two glucose molecules. It’s found in many everyday foods such as mushrooms, bread, beer, and shrimp—particularly abundant in mushrooms, where it can make up more than 20% of their dry weight. Yeast also contains similar levels, meaning that through bread and fermented foods, we consume trehalose indirectly. Inside the body, trehalose is broken down into glucose in the small intestine for absorption.

First extracted in 1832 by scientist Wiggers from rye, trehalose was officially named in 1859 by Marcellin Berthelot, who isolated it from trehala manna, a Persian beetle secretion. Since then, it has been found in numerous microorganisms, plants, and animals—including seaweed, fungi, bacteria, and even desert resurrection plants—earning it the nickname “sugar of life.”

Research has shown that trehalose protects cells and proteins from damage caused by freezing or dehydration, helping organisms survive in extreme environments. Many insects also rely on trehalose as an energy reserve, converting it into glucose when needed.

In the food industry, trehalose is used as a sweetener, stabilizer, and humectant. Though only 45% as sweet as table sugar, its low-calorie and low-glycemic properties make it a popular natural alternative. With advances in biotechnology, trehalose is now used in cosmetics, personal care, bath products, and even agriculture. Since the 1990s, it has made major strides in skincare for its anti-aging, moisturizing, and repair properties. Its excellent water retention and skin affinity make it a beloved, multifunctional carbohydrate in modern beauty science.

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Six Unique Properties That Make Trehalose a Food Industry Favorite

Before diving into its skincare benefits, let’s look at why trehalose is so valuable in food technology. Its six standout characteristics are:

1. Low Sweetness

Trehalose is only 45% as sweet as sugar, enhancing the natural flavor of ingredients rather than overpowering them. It’s a favorite among bakers for reducing sweetness while improving texture in bread, puddings, and cakes.

2. Non-Browning

Being a non-reducing sugar, trehalose does not trigger the Maillard reaction when heated with amino acids or proteins. This keeps food color stable, ideal for baked and fermented products.

3. Heat and Acid Resistant

Trehalose remains stable even under extreme conditions—unlike sucrose, which decomposes quickly. At 100°C and pH 3, it barely breaks down, making it perfect for processed foods and beverages requiring heat or acidity.

4. Solubility and Crystallization

Trehalose dissolves differently at various temperatures, allowing flexible use across cold and hot processes. It also crystallizes cleanly, maintaining texture even in complex formulations like frozen foods.

5. Low Hygroscopicity (Low Moisture Absorption)

Trehalose resists absorbing moisture even at 95% humidity, preventing stickiness and extending shelf life. It’s commonly used in candies, coatings, and powdered products like infant formulas.

6. High Glass Transition Temperature (115°C)

This unique trait allows trehalose to protect proteins during high-heat processing, acting as a thermal shield and flavor stabilizer—ideal for preserving quality in frozen or dried foods.

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Is Trehalose a Sugar Substitute? Two Common Types of Sweeteners Explained

Trehalose is not a traditional sugar substitute. Artificial sweeteners like saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose—or natural ones like stevia and monk fruit extract—are considered sugar alternatives. These fall into two main categories:

• Nutritional sweeteners (e.g., honey, fructose) provide calories but at lower levels than sucrose.
• Non-nutritional sweeteners (e.g., aspartame, stevia) add sweetness without calories.

While trehalose has a lower glycemic index (GI) due to slower digestion, it’s still a real carbohydrate that provides 4 kcal per gram, similar to sugar. Therefore, it’s not “sugar-free” or “low-sugar”—just metabolized more gradually, making it a potentially better option for those managing blood sugar.

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Six Remarkable Benefits of Trehalose—from Health to Skincare

Trehalose offers powerful health and skincare benefits thanks to its stable molecular structure. Here are six standout effects:

1. Protection Against Radiation

Trehalose neutralizes free radicals caused by radiation (such as from electronics), helping prevent skin aging and damage. It’s ideal for those who spend long hours on digital devices.

2. Reduces Body Odor

Trehalose helps inhibit the breakdown of fatty acids that cause odor, particularly in mature skin, keeping the body fresher.

3. Deep Moisturizing and Hydration

A small-molecule humectant, trehalose forms a protective layer on the skin, preventing dehydration and strengthening the barrier. Combined with hyaluronic acid, it delivers lasting hydration and elasticity—earning them the title of “golden hydration duo.”

4. Boosts Skin Resilience

Trehalose enhances the skin’s tolerance to dryness, cold, and UV exposure, helping maintain barrier integrity even in harsh conditions.

5. Antioxidant Protection

Trehalose acts as a natural free radical scavenger, protecting cells and DNA from oxidative stress and promoting a more youthful complexion.

6. Anti-Wrinkle and Anti-Aging Effects

By maintaining cell membrane structure and moisture, trehalose prevents pigmentation and fine lines—keeping skin smooth and luminous.

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Trehalose in Cosmetics: Three Key Benefits for Beauty Formulations

Trehalose is a cosmetic formulator’s dream—highly stable, compatible, and skin-friendly. It improves product texture, longevity, and protection in multiple ways:

1. Enhances Cold-Temperature Stability

It lowers the freezing point of water-based products, preventing texture separation and preserving performance in cold weather.

2. Prevents Protein Denaturation

Many skincare products contain proteins or active compounds that degrade over time. Trehalose forms stable complexes with these actives, preserving their efficacy and extending shelf life.

3. Stabilizes Polyphenols (Antioxidants)

Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants but easily degrade. Trehalose helps maintain their stability, ensuring formulas stay potent. This is why it’s featured in foundations, primers, and BB creams from international brands such as Versace and Grass & Flowers.

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