Glucose Oxidase God Humectant Fugt Glucose Oxidase at a glance Enzyme that catalyses the oxidation of the sugar glucose to gluconic acid Functions as a skin conditioning ingredient Synthesised by fungi and insects and can be manufactured synthetically Has medical and food applications Glucose Oxidase description Glucose oxidase is an enzyme that catalyses the oxidation of the sugar glucose to gluconic acid. In nature it is synthesised by several species of fungi and insects such as honeybees. It can also be manufactured synthetically (Paula’s Choice uses this version). In cosmetics, it functions as a skin-conditioning agent. Glucose oxidase is also used in medicine to help monitor glucose levels, and in the food industry to control glucose amounts. The ester of gluconic acid is known as gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that in amounts of 2% and up and within the correct pH range has exfoliating properties for skin.