Trehalose (Resurrection Sugar)

In brief: Trehalose is a naturally occurring sugar that helps organisms survive extreme conditions – from tardigrades withstanding the vacuum of space to resurrection plants coming back to life after complete desiccation. In skincare, it provides cellular protection, deep hydration, and supports the skin's ability to cope with environmental stress. We use it as a supporting ingredient in our copper peptide serums and our morning hydration spray.

Quick Reference

INCI Name: Trehalose
Common Names: Trehalose, resurrection sugar, mycose
Category: Humectant, cellular protectant
Source: Naturally occurring; commercially produced via fermentation
Nubeean Concentrations: 2-4%
Skin Types Suited To: All skin types, including sensitive
Cautions: None known. Very well tolerated.

What It Is

Trehalose is a disaccharide – a sugar made of two glucose molecules bonded together. It's found throughout nature in organisms that need to survive extreme conditions: tardigrades (those microscopic "water bears" that can survive the vacuum of space), resurrection plants that come back to life after drying out completely, certain fungi, insects, and bacteria that thrive in harsh environments.

What these organisms have in common is the ability to enter a state of suspended animation when conditions become hostile – and trehalose is central to that survival mechanism. The sugar replaces water molecules around proteins and cell membranes, preserving their structure even when actual water is unavailable. When conditions improve, the organisms can "resurrect" because their cellular machinery remained intact.

Mammals, including humans, don't produce trehalose. But our skin can certainly benefit from it. When applied topically, trehalose offers the same protective properties that allow tardigrades to survive in space – scaled down to the everyday stresses of sun, pollution, dehydration, and environmental assault.

How It Works

Protein and membrane stabilisation. Trehalose forms hydrogen bonds with proteins and lipids, essentially replacing water molecules during stress conditions. This keeps cellular structures intact even when they'd otherwise be damaged by dehydration, heat, or oxidative stress. In practical terms, this means better protection for the proteins and lipids that maintain skin barrier function.

Autophagy activation. This is where trehalose gets interesting. Autophagy is the cellular "self-cleaning" process – cells breaking down and recycling damaged components. Research has shown that trehalose activates autophagy independent of the mTOR pathway, helping clear damaged proteins and organelles. Studies on skin flaps found that trehalose treatment increased markers of autophagy and improved tissue viability through this mechanism.

Humectant activity. Trehalose draws moisture from the environment and helps the skin retain water. It mimics components of the skin's Natural Moisturising Factor (NMF) – the collection of substances in the stratum corneum that keeps skin hydrated. Research has shown trehalose can reduce transepidermal water loss and increase water content in the outer skin layers.

Antioxidant support. Studies indicate trehalose can reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in skin by influencing the expression of antioxidant genes, including superoxide dismutase. It doesn't just scavenge free radicals directly – it helps upregulate the skin's own protective mechanisms.

Prebiotic activity. Emerging research suggests trehalose may support beneficial skin microbiota, acting as a substrate for commensal bacteria. A balanced skin microbiome contributes to barrier function, reduced inflammation, and resilience against pathogenic organisms.

Benefits

Primary Benefits

Trehalose provides cellular protection against environmental stressors:

• UV exposure, pollution
• Temperature extremes
• Dehydration

Its ability to stabilise proteins and membranes means skin cells are better equipped to handle daily assault. Research has demonstrated protective effects against UVB radiation specifically, with trehalose modulating autophagy to defend keratinocytes from UV-induced damage.

Secondary Benefits

As a humectant, trehalose contributes to skin hydration without the sticky feel of some other sugar-based moisturisers. It also supports the skin barrier by mimicking natural moisturising factors. Some research has examined trehalose's role in wound healing, finding it can promote a beneficial state in fibroblasts that supports efficient tissue repair.

Skin Concerns Addressed

Trehalose is particularly relevant for dehydrated skin, environmentally stressed skin, and those seeking additional protection against daily damage. Its gentle nature makes it suitable for sensitive and reactive skin types. Research has also examined its benefits for barrier-compromised conditions.

Who Benefits Most

Dehydrated skin. Trehalose's humectant properties help draw and retain moisture, making it valuable for skin that struggles to stay hydrated.

Environmentally exposed skin. Anyone dealing with pollution, temperature extremes, air conditioning, or regular sun exposure can benefit from trehalose's protective properties.

Sensitive skin. Trehalose is exceptionally well-tolerated with no known irritation concerns. Its calming, protective nature makes it suitable even for reactive skin types.

Those using active ingredients. Trehalose pairs beautifully with other actives, providing cellular protection while ingredients like copper peptides, vitamin C, or niacinamide do their work.

Anyone seeking daily defence. Think of trehalose as cellular insurance – quiet, supportive protection that helps skin cope with whatever the day brings.

How We Use It

Products Containing Trehalose

 Copper Peptide | Skin contains 2% trehalose alongside GHK-Cu, providing cellular protection that complements the peptide's regenerative properties.

[LINK: Copper Peptide | Scalp product page] Copper Peptide | Scalp contains 2% trehalose alongside AHK-Cu, supporting scalp health while the peptide works on follicles.

Hydrate + Protect | Good Morning Skin Shield contains trehalose as part of a comprehensive morning protection formula alongside ectoine, acetyl zingerone, and B vitamins.

Using Our Trehalose Products

Trehalose works quietly in the background, so you won't "feel" it working the way you might notice a tingle from an acid or the slip of a heavy oil. Its benefits accumulate with consistent use – cellular protection that pays dividends over time.

Our copper peptide serums are designed for evening use, while the Skin Shield spray is formulated for morning application before your oil-based moisturiser or sunscreen. In both cases, trehalose is part of a considered formula rather than a standalone active.

Formulation Notes

Trehalose is one of the more forgiving ingredients to formulate with. It's water-soluble, stable across a wide pH range, compatible with most other cosmetic ingredients, and doesn't thicken formulations or add stickiness. It plays well with peptides, vitamins, humectants, and antioxidants alike.

We include it as a supporting ingredient rather than a hero active because that's where it shines – providing cellular protection while other ingredients take centre stage. It's the reliable understudy that makes the whole production work better.

Usage Guidelines

Application

Apply products containing trehalose as directed for each specific formulation. For our copper peptide serums, apply in the evening to clean skin. For the morning spray, mist onto clean skin before your oil-based products.

Frequency

Trehalose is gentle enough for twice-daily use and works well with consistent application. There's no adjustment period needed – it's suitable from first use.

What to Expect

Trehalose won't deliver dramatic overnight changes. Its benefits are cumulative and preventative – better hydration retention, improved cellular resilience, and enhanced protection against environmental stressors over time.

Contraindications and Cautions

Trehalose is exceptionally well-tolerated with no known contraindications for topical use. It's suitable for all skin types including sensitive and reactive skin. There are no concerns about sensitisation, irritation, or interactions with other skincare ingredients.

If you have any concerns about introducing new products, patch testing is always an option, though trehalose is among the gentlest ingredients in skincare.

Research and Evidence

Trehalose has been studied for various applications including skin flap survival (where it improved viability through autophagy activation), UV protection (demonstrating protective effects on keratinocytes), wound healing (promoting beneficial cellular states for repair), and hydration (reducing transepidermal water loss in clinical studies).

Research has been published examining its effects on autophagy pathways, antioxidant gene expression, and skin barrier function. While much of the research is laboratory-based rather than large-scale clinical trials, the mechanistic understanding of how trehalose works is well-established.

We find the research compelling, particularly for its cellular protection and autophagy-activating properties. It's an ingredient that makes scientific sense – and the fact that nature uses it to help organisms survive extreme conditions suggests it has something valuable to offer human skin facing everyday stresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is trehalose and where does it come from?
Trehalose is a naturally occurring sugar (disaccharide) found in organisms that survive extreme conditions, including tardigrades, resurrection plants, and certain fungi and bacteria. It's commercially produced through fermentation for use in food and cosmetics.

What does trehalose do for skin?
Trehalose provides cellular protection by stabilising proteins and membranes, activates autophagy (cellular self-cleaning), acts as a humectant for hydration, supports antioxidant defences, and may have prebiotic benefits for the skin microbiome.

Is trehalose the same as the "tardigrade ingredient"?
Yes – trehalose is one of the key compounds that allows tardigrades to survive extreme conditions like the vacuum of space, extreme temperatures, and complete dehydration. When you see skincare marketed around tardigrades, trehalose is usually the ingredient being referenced.

Can trehalose be used on sensitive skin?
Absolutely. Trehalose is one of the gentlest skincare ingredients available with no known irritation or sensitisation concerns. It's suitable for all skin types including sensitive and reactive skin.

Does trehalose work well with other actives?
Yes. Trehalose is highly compatible with other cosmetic ingredients including peptides, vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and retinoids. Its protective properties may actually help skin tolerate other actives better.

Related Reading

Ectoine – another extremolyte ingredient

Copper Peptides | Ingredient Guide | Nubeean Noosa Copper Peptides – often paired with trehalose in formulations

Australian made | Small batch | Clean formulation | Fragrance-free