If you’re into skincare you’ve probably heard of AHAs and BHAs, but there’s a gentler, equally effective exfoliant that deserves a spot in your routine: gluconolactone, a type of polyhydroxy acid (PHA). Unlike stronger acids (like the aforementioned AHAs or BHAs), PHAs have larger molecular structures, meaning they penetrate more slowly and minimize irritation while still delivering powerful results, making them ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.
And our very own Centella 3% PHA Gentle Liquid Exfoliating Serum is packed with gluconolactone - so keep reading to find out more about this superstar ingredient.
What do PHAs do for the skin?
Gluconolactone is one of the best gentle exfoliants that helps improve overall skin texture and clarity. As a polyhydroxy acid (PHA), it works by loosening the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to shed more easily and reveal fresh, radiant skin underneath. This mild exfoliation helps to smooth rough patches, reduce the appearance of fine lines and even out skin tone, all without the stinging or redness that stronger acids can cause.
But gluconolactone does more than exfoliate; it’s also a hydration booster and antioxidant protector. It acts as a humectant, attracting water molecules to keep the skin plump and moisturized, which supports a healthy, supple complexion. Additionally, it helps strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, improving resilience against environmental stressors like pollution and UV damage. Gluconolactone not only refines skin texture but also helps defend against signs of premature aging, making it a multitasking ingredient that delivers both instant and long-term benefits.
Are PHAs a better option for sensitive skin?
Looking for the best serum for sensitive skin? You’ve come to the right place, as PHAs are generally considered a better option for sensitive skin compared to AHAs and BHAs. They work as gentle chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells and improve texture without causing irritation. Additionally, they offer hydrating and antioxidant benefits, making them suitable for people with easily irritated or dry skin who still want a smoother, brighter complexion without compromising their skin barrier.
What not to use with PHAS?
When using PHAs, it’s important to be mindful of what other skincare ingredients you pair them with to avoid over-exfoliating or irritating your skin. Although PHAs are much gentler than AHAs and BHAs and make a great option for a sensitive skin serum, they are still exfoliating acids, and can increase skin sensitivity when combined with other potent actives. It’s best to avoid using PHAs alongside other exfoliants like glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, or strong retinoids, as this combination can lead to dryness, redness, or a compromised skin barrier.
Instead, focus on complementing PHAs with soothing, moisture-rich ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides and niacinamide to help calm and hydrate the skin. Using a nourishing moisturizer and daily sunscreen is also essential, as exfoliation can make the skin more vulnerable to environmental stressors and UV damage.
Can I use a PHA serum everyday?
If you’re new to exfoliating acids, we recommend to start by applying our Centella 3% PHA Gentle Liquid Exfoliating Serum two to three times a week. You can then drop this down to one to two times a week to maintain the glowing, fresh-faced results. Always follow up with a moisturizer to maintain hydration and use sunscreen daily, as exfoliation can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
The benefits of a multifunctional skincare product
Multifunctional skincare products are designed to simplify routines while maximizing results. These formulas combine several hard-working ingredients to address multiple skin concerns at once (like hydration, brightening and barrier repair, for example) so you can achieve visible results with fewer steps.
A well-formulated multifunctional product not only saves time but also helps reduce the risk of ingredient overload or irritation that can come from layering too many separate products.
Plus, using fewer products means less packaging waste, making multifunctional skincare a more sustainable and minimalist approach to beauty.
The role of a targeted skincare product
While multifunctional products are convenient and efficient, targeted treatments still have an important role, especially when you’re addressing specific concerns like acne, pigmentation, or fine lines and wrinkles. Targeted formulas often contain higher concentrations of active ingredients designed to deliver precise results in one area. However, these products can sometimes be too potent for daily use or difficult to layer with others.
Multifunctional products, on the other hand, provide a balanced blend of ingredients that offer consistent, gentle benefits for overall skin health. The key is knowing your skin’s needs. The best results can come from using a multifunctional product as the base, then adding a targeted treatment as needed for extra support.
With four different uses, this serum has the majority of skincare concerns covered…
- Gently exfoliating
- Pore care and congestion prevention
- Brightening
- Hydrating
This best PHA serum is designed to clear blackheads, refine pores and leave the skin feeling smooth, refreshed, and soft without irritation. Formulated with a lightweight, watery texture, it’s tested for sensitive skin and absorbs quickly, with no sticky or heavy after-feel. The hypoallergenic gluconolactone works to gently exfoliate by removing dead skin cells and clearing out clogged pores, while also delivering hydration for a smoother, more even skin texture. Calming centella helps reduce redness and irritation, protecting the skin barrier and keeping the skin balanced and comfortable through the exfoliation process.
To further enhance skin clarity and radiance, COSMOS-certified organic orange water provides a natural boost of vitamin C, helping to brighten the complexion, improve elasticity and revive dull, tired skin. The patented Anti-Sebum P complex delivers targeted pore and sebum care, minimizing excess oil and keeping pores clear for a healthier-looking finish. Additionally, kombucha infuses the formula with nourishing antioxidants that support skin health and hydration.
Use this exfoliating serum in two phases: start with two to three applications a week to unblock pores, clear away blackheads and remove buildup, then transition to one to two applications a week to prevent new blackheads and maintain a soft, glowy and even skin texture.
Final thoughts
PHA serums are truly multifunctional skincare heroes that offer gentle yet effective results. They work to exfoliate the skin’s surface, removing dead cells for a smoother, more radiant complexion while also providing deep hydration and supporting the skin barrier. PHAs also deliver brightening, smoothing, and moisturizing benefits without causing irritation, making them suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. With regular use, they help reveal a healthier, more luminous complexion that feels smooth, balanced and refreshed.
Multifunctional Skincare: The Serum That Has 4 Different Uses
If you’re into skincare you’ve probably heard of AHAs and BHAs, but there’s a gentler, equally effective exfoliant that deserves a spot in your routine: gluconolactone, a type of polyhydroxy acid (PHA). Unlike stronger acids (like the aforementioned AHAs or BHAs), PHAs have larger molecular structures, meaning they penetrate more slowly and minimize irritation while still delivering powerful results, making them ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.
And our very own Centella 3% PHA Gentle Liquid Exfoliating Serum is packed with gluconolactone - so keep reading to find out more about this superstar ingredient.
What do PHAs do for the skin?
Gluconolactone is one of the best gentle exfoliants that helps improve overall skin texture and clarity. As a polyhydroxy acid (PHA), it works by loosening the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to shed more easily and reveal fresh, radiant skin underneath. This mild exfoliation helps to smooth rough patches, reduce the appearance of fine lines and even out skin tone, all without the stinging or redness that stronger acids can cause.
But gluconolactone does more than exfoliate; it’s also a hydration booster and antioxidant protector. It acts as a humectant, attracting water molecules to keep the skin plump and moisturized, which supports a healthy, supple complexion. Additionally, it helps strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, improving resilience against environmental stressors like pollution and UV damage. Gluconolactone not only refines skin texture but also helps defend against signs of premature aging, making it a multitasking ingredient that delivers both instant and long-term benefits.
Are PHAs a better option for sensitive skin?
Looking for the best serum for sensitive skin? You’ve come to the right place, as PHAs are generally considered a better option for sensitive skin compared to AHAs and BHAs. They work as gentle chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells and improve texture without causing irritation. Additionally, they offer hydrating and antioxidant benefits, making them suitable for people with easily irritated or dry skin who still want a smoother, brighter complexion without compromising their skin barrier.
What not to use with PHAS?
When using PHAs, it’s important to be mindful of what other skincare ingredients you pair them with to avoid over-exfoliating or irritating your skin. Although PHAs are much gentler than AHAs and BHAs and make a great option for a sensitive skin serum, they are still exfoliating acids, and can increase skin sensitivity when combined with other potent actives. It’s best to avoid using PHAs alongside other exfoliants like glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, or strong retinoids, as this combination can lead to dryness, redness, or a compromised skin barrier.
Instead, focus on complementing PHAs with soothing, moisture-rich ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides and niacinamide to help calm and hydrate the skin. Using a nourishing moisturizer and daily sunscreen is also essential, as exfoliation can make the skin more vulnerable to environmental stressors and UV damage.
Can I use a PHA serum everyday?
If you’re new to exfoliating acids, we recommend to start by applying our Centella 3% PHA Gentle Liquid Exfoliating Serum two to three times a week. You can then drop this down to one to two times a week to maintain the glowing, fresh-faced results. Always follow up with a moisturizer to maintain hydration and use sunscreen daily, as exfoliation can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
The benefits of a multifunctional skincare product
Multifunctional skincare products are designed to simplify routines while maximizing results. These formulas combine several hard-working ingredients to address multiple skin concerns at once (like hydration, brightening and barrier repair, for example) so you can achieve visible results with fewer steps.
A well-formulated multifunctional product not only saves time but also helps reduce the risk of ingredient overload or irritation that can come from layering too many separate products.
Plus, using fewer products means less packaging waste, making multifunctional skincare a more sustainable and minimalist approach to beauty.
The role of a targeted skincare product
While multifunctional products are convenient and efficient, targeted treatments still have an important role, especially when you’re addressing specific concerns like acne, pigmentation, or fine lines and wrinkles. Targeted formulas often contain higher concentrations of active ingredients designed to deliver precise results in one area. However, these products can sometimes be too potent for daily use or difficult to layer with others.
Multifunctional products, on the other hand, provide a balanced blend of ingredients that offer consistent, gentle benefits for overall skin health. The key is knowing your skin’s needs. The best results can come from using a multifunctional product as the base, then adding a targeted treatment as needed for extra support.
The uses of the Centella 3% PHA Gentle Liquid Exfoliating Serum
With four different uses, this serum has the majority of skincare concerns covered…
This best PHA serum is designed to clear blackheads, refine pores and leave the skin feeling smooth, refreshed, and soft without irritation. Formulated with a lightweight, watery texture, it’s tested for sensitive skin and absorbs quickly, with no sticky or heavy after-feel. The hypoallergenic gluconolactone works to gently exfoliate by removing dead skin cells and clearing out clogged pores, while also delivering hydration for a smoother, more even skin texture. Calming centella helps reduce redness and irritation, protecting the skin barrier and keeping the skin balanced and comfortable through the exfoliation process.
To further enhance skin clarity and radiance, COSMOS-certified organic orange water provides a natural boost of vitamin C, helping to brighten the complexion, improve elasticity and revive dull, tired skin. The patented Anti-Sebum P complex delivers targeted pore and sebum care, minimizing excess oil and keeping pores clear for a healthier-looking finish. Additionally, kombucha infuses the formula with nourishing antioxidants that support skin health and hydration.
Use this exfoliating serum in two phases: start with two to three applications a week to unblock pores, clear away blackheads and remove buildup, then transition to one to two applications a week to prevent new blackheads and maintain a soft, glowy and even skin texture.
Final thoughts
PHA serums are truly multifunctional skincare heroes that offer gentle yet effective results. They work to exfoliate the skin’s surface, removing dead cells for a smoother, more radiant complexion while also providing deep hydration and supporting the skin barrier. PHAs also deliver brightening, smoothing, and moisturizing benefits without causing irritation, making them suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. With regular use, they help reveal a healthier, more luminous complexion that feels smooth, balanced and refreshed.