Trehalose in Cosmetics: Uses, Benefits & Formulation Guide

Trehalose is increasingly attracting attention as a multifunctional ingredient in modern skin care, hair care and personal-care formulations.

Best known as a naturally occurring sugar with an unusual ability to protect biological structures against dehydration, trehalose is already used in cosmetics as a humectant, moisturising agent and protective ingredient. Research suggests that it can help increase skin hydration, reduce moisture loss and support the structure and function of the skin barrier, while separate studies have identified useful applications in hair care and protection against humidity.[1–4]

For cosmetic formulators, these properties are particularly interesting because trehalose combines a relatively simple INCI — Trehalose — with good water solubility, formulation versatility and a growing body of scientific evidence.

Nagase Viita, the Japanese manufacturer behind TREHA®, also manufactures a dedicated cosmetic grade of trehalose called TREHALOSE 100, developed specifically for skin care, body care, hair care and oral-care formulations.[1]

What is trehalose?

Trehalose is a naturally occurring non-reducing disaccharide made from two glucose molecules joined by an α,α-1,1 glycosidic bond.

It occurs naturally in a wide range of organisms, including fungi, plants and microorganisms. In nature, one of its most interesting roles is helping biological structures tolerate periods of dehydration and other environmental stresses.

These protective properties have led to trehalose being studied and used well beyond food. It now has applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and other technical fields.

In cosmetics, its principal established function is as a humectant: an ingredient that helps attract and retain water.[1,5]

But the evidence suggests that its usefulness may extend beyond simple water binding.

Why is trehalose used in cosmetics?

Trehalose is principally used in cosmetic formulations to help:

• increase and maintain skin hydration

• reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL)

• protect skin and hair from dehydration

• support the skin's natural barrier

• help maintain moisture in dry conditions

• support hair performance under heat and high humidity

• provide a water-soluble, low-viscosity moisturising ingredient for a wide range of formulations.[1–4]

Nagase Viita recommends TREHALOSE 100 for skin care, body care, hair care and oral care, including lotions, toners, creams, gels, serums, shampoos, conditioners, mouthwashes and toothpastes.[1]

Its suggested use level is typically 1–5% for skin, body and hair products, and 0.1–5% for oral-care formulations.[1]

Trehalose for skin hydration

The strongest cosmetic application for trehalose is moisturisation.

A particularly useful 2026 study investigated emulsions containing 1%, 2.5% and 5% trehalose and measured both skin hydration and transepidermal water loss over four weeks.[2]

The results were substantial.

The formulation containing 2.5% trehalose reduced TEWL by approximately 33%, compared with around 8% for the placebo formulation.

Meanwhile, the 1% trehalose formulation produced the largest increase in measured skin hydration — approximately 102% after four weeks.[2]

The study used an emulsion base that also contained ingredients such as glycerol, avocado oil and liquid paraffin, so the complete moisturising effect cannot be attributed to trehalose alone. Importantly, however, the trehalose-containing formulations produced greater improvements than the placebo base, supporting an additional moisturising effect from trehalose itself.[2]

No erythema, irritation, itching or other adverse skin reactions were reported during the study.[2]

This gives formulators contemporary human evidence supporting the use of trehalose in products designed for hydration, dry-skin care and moisture retention.

Helping to reduce moisture loss

Hydration is only part of the story.

Healthy skin needs not only to contain water but also to restrict how quickly that water is lost to the surrounding environment.

This is measured as transepidermal water loss, or TEWL.

The lower TEWL observed in trehalose-containing formulations is therefore particularly interesting because it suggests that trehalose can contribute to maintaining moisture within the stratum corneum rather than simply producing a temporary surface-hydration effect.[2]

Nagase Viita has also tested a toner containing 3% TREHALOSE 100 in 21 women with dry skin. Applied twice daily for 14 days, the trehalose formulation helped maintain the skin's water-holding capacity compared with placebo.[1]

This combination of manufacturer testing and independent research provides a useful evidence base for positioning cosmetic trehalose primarily as a moisturising and anti-dehydration ingredient.

Trehalose and skin-barrier support

There is also growing evidence that trehalose may interact with processes involved in maintaining the skin barrier.

In 2025, researchers investigating human keratinocytes and living skin equivalents found that trehalose influenced several molecules associated with epidermal differentiation and barrier integrity, including filaggrin, loricrin, keratin 1 and keratin 10.[3]

Trehalose also influenced NRF2 signalling and antioxidant-enzyme activity in the experimental model.[3]

This is laboratory evidence rather than a clinical demonstration in people, so it should not be interpreted as evidence that trehalose treats a skin disease.

It does, however, provide a plausible biological basis for the barrier-supporting effects observed in cosmetic formulation studies.

Nagase's own technical research also reports that TREHALOSE 100 promotes formation of lamellar structures in an experimental model of the intercellular lipids found within the stratum corneum.[1]

Taken together, the evidence supports a useful formulation proposition:

Trehalose is not simply a sugar added to attract water. It is a moisturising ingredient with evidence relevant to both water retention and the structure of the skin barrier.

Trehalose for dry-skin formulations

These properties make trehalose particularly interesting for formulations aimed at dry or environmentally stressed skin.

Potential applications include:

Moisturising creams and lotions
Trehalose can be incorporated alongside emollients, occlusives and other humectants to create complementary moisturising systems.

Serums and essences
Its high water solubility allows it to be incorporated into water-based formulations where hydration and moisture retention are priorities.

Toners and lightweight moisturisers
Nagase's own human testing used a toner containing 3% TREHALOSE 100.[1]

Body care
Trehalose can be used in body lotions, creams, gels and cleansing products where protection from dryness is desirable.

Products for dry environments
Its anti-dehydration properties make trehalose particularly relevant to products designed around exposure to low humidity, air conditioning, heating, cold weather or other drying conditions.

Trehalose in hair care

Trehalose also has an unusually interesting evidence base in hair care.

Researchers at Unilever R&D in Port Sunlight, UK, investigated trehalose-treated human hair switches that were straightened using heated irons and subsequently exposed to high humidity.[4]

Hair treated with trehalose retained its straightened style for longer under humid conditions.

The proposed mechanism involves trehalose forming glass-like structures within or around the hair fibre following heat treatment. These structures influence moisture uptake and the viscoelastic properties of the hair when humidity increases.[4]

This potentially makes trehalose useful in:

• anti-humidity hair products

• heat-styling formulations

• conditioners

• leave-in treatments

• smoothing products

• straightening and styling products.

This is particularly valuable commercially because it gives trehalose a role beyond conventional moisturisation.

For hair-care formulators, trehalose offers the prospect of combining moisture management with heat- and humidity-related styling performance.

Formulation advantages of TREHALOSE 100

Nagase Viita's cosmetic-grade product is sold as TREHALOSE 100, with the INCI name:

Trehalose

It is supplied as an odourless, whitish crystalline powder and is designed specifically for personal-care formulation.[1]

Nagase identifies several practical benefits, including:

• high water solubility

• low solution viscosity, even at relatively high concentrations

• stability across a range of temperatures

• compatibility with a broad range of cosmetic formats

• moisture retention

• protection against dehydration

• limited interference with finished-product texture.[1]

TREHALOSE 100 is also listed by Nagase as COSMOS approved, with the raw material verified by ECOCERT Greenlife as conforming to the COSMOS Standard. It is also Halal certified and listed for use under China's IECIC system.[1]

These characteristics make it potentially attractive to formulators looking for a relatively straightforward carbohydrate-based humectant with both technical documentation and an established cosmetic-use history.

How much trehalose is used in cosmetics?

For TREHALOSE 100, Nagase Viita recommends the following formulation ranges:[1]

These are manufacturer-recommended use ranges rather than mandatory limits.

The appropriate concentration will depend on the formulation, desired performance, other humectants and emollients present, sensory requirements and the claims being developed for the finished product.

Interestingly, the 2026 independent study did not identify one universally superior concentration. The 2.5% formulation performed best for TEWL reduction, whereas the 1% formulation produced the greatest measured increase in hydration.[2]

This suggests that more trehalose is not necessarily automatically better: formulation design and the desired function remain important.

Is trehalose safe for use in cosmetics?

Trehalose has an established history of cosmetic use.

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel assessed trehalose alongside a group of related mono- and disaccharides and concluded that the ingredients assessed were safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in its safety assessment.[5]

Trehalose was reported as functioning as a humectant in cosmetics, and the assessment considered available toxicological, irritation and sensitisation evidence.[5]

As with any cosmetic raw material, manufacturers remain responsible for ensuring that the finished formulation, concentration, intended use and claims comply with the regulatory requirements of the market in which the product is sold.

Emerging research: antioxidant and skin-protection effects

Research into trehalose is expanding beyond conventional moisturisation.

Laboratory studies have investigated effects involving oxidative stress, epidermal signalling and responses to environmental stress.[3]

Other experimental work has examined trehalose in areas including UV-induced cellular stress, glycation, autophagy and advanced delivery systems.

These are scientifically interesting areas, but they should currently be kept separate from the stronger evidence supporting trehalose's established cosmetic uses.

In practical commercial terms, the strongest current case remains:

hydration, moisture retention, protection against dehydration, skin-barrier support and hair moisture/humidity management.

Claims that trehalose treats eczema, acne, wounds or other dermatological conditions would go substantially beyond the evidence appropriate for an ordinary cosmetic ingredient.

Trehalose should also not be described as a sunscreen or as providing an SPF unless a finished formulation has independently demonstrated such performance.

TREHA® and TREHALOSE 100 are different product grades

An important distinction needs to be made when sourcing trehalose.

Nagase Viita manufactures several grades of trehalose for different applications.

TREHA® is the familiar high-quality food ingredient used by chefs, bakers and food manufacturers.

TREHALOSE 100 is Nagase Viita's dedicated cosmetic-grade trehalose, manufactured and documented for use in personal-care products.[1]

Although both contain trehalose, formulators should select a grade with specifications and documentation appropriate to the intended application rather than assuming that food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and biotechnology grades are interchangeable.

For professional cosmetic development, the relevant Nagase Viita product is TREHALOSE 100.

Why trehalose is interesting for cosmetic formulators

Trehalose occupies an interesting position among cosmetic humectants.

It is chemically simple, highly water soluble and well established as a moisture-protective molecule, yet modern research is beginning to show that its cosmetic functionality extends beyond straightforward hygroscopicity.

Human formulation studies support improvements in hydration and transepidermal water loss.[1,2]

Laboratory research provides evidence relevant to epidermal barrier function and oxidative-stress pathways.[3]

Hair-fibre research demonstrates potentially valuable anti-humidity performance following heat styling.[4]

And its safety as a cosmetic ingredient has been independently reviewed.[5]

For formulators developing moisturisers, serums, body products, hair treatments and other personal-care products, trehalose therefore deserves consideration as more than simply another sugar-based humectant.

It offers a combination of moisture management, protection from dehydration and formulation versatility, supported by a growing scientific evidence base.

Looking for trehalose for cosmetic development?

Trehalose UK specialises in genuine Japanese trehalose manufactured by Nagase Viita.

We are developing our support for UK cosmetic and personal-care manufacturers and welcome enquiries from formulators, laboratories and businesses interested in cosmetic applications of trehalose, technical information or commercial quantities.

For professional enquiries, contact sales@trehalose.co.uk.

References & further reading

[1] Nagase Viita Co., Ltd. TREHALOSE 100: Personal Care Moisturizing Agent. Product brochure and technical information. Nagase Viita / NAGASE. Includes INCI, applications, recommended use levels, human water-holding-capacity testing and formulation information. Nagase TREHALOSE 100 product information

[2] Anna Czajkowska-Kośnik, Paulina Perkowska, and Katarzyna Winnicka. 2026. “Trehalose in an Emulsion-Based Carrier: Effects on Skin Hydration and Transepidermal Water Loss.” Cosmetics 13, no. 4: 196. DOI: 10.3390/cosmetics13040196. Human in-vivo investigation of emulsions containing 1%, 2.5% and 5% trehalose. Read the study

[3] Xiuju Dai et al. 2025. “Trehalose Prevents IL-4/IL-13-Induced Skin Barrier Impairment by Suppressing IL-33 Expression and Increasing NRF2 Activation in Human Keratinocytes In Vitro.” Journal of Investigative Dermatology145, no. 6: 1422–1432.e10. DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.08.038. PubMed record

[4] Susan Pye and Prem K. C. Paul. 2012. “Trehalose in Hair Care: Heat Styling Benefits at High Humidity.” Journal of Cosmetic Science 63, no. 4: 233–241. Human-hair study examining heat straightening and style retention under high-humidity conditions. PubMed record

[5] Monice M. Fiume et al. 2019. “Safety Assessment of Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, and Related Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.” International Journal of Toxicology 38, supplement 1. DOI: 10.1177/1091581818814189. Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel safety assessment including trehalose. Read the safety assessment

[6] Letteria Greco, Salviana Ullo, Luigi Rigano, Marco Fontana, Enzo Berardesca, and Norma Cameli. 2019. “Evaluation of the Filming and Protective Properties of a New Trehalose and Ceramides Based Ingredient.” Cosmetics6, no. 4: 62. DOI: 10.3390/cosmetics6040062. Human testing of a combined trehalose/ceramide ingredient and its effects on hydration and TEWL. Read the study