{"id":24416,"date":"2026-10-11T16:39:46","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T14:39:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/?p=24416"},"modified":"2026-10-11T16:39:47","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T14:39:47","slug":"revolutionary-moisturizing-polyglutamic-acid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/lacide-polyglutamique-lactif-hydratant-revolutionnaire\/","title":{"rendered":"Polyglutamic acid: Is this the new moisturizer that truly beats hyaluronic acid?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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You may have seen it listed on the labels of serums and moisturizers, often accompanied by an impressive claim: hold up to 5,000 times its weight in water<\/strong>, which is far more than hyaluronic acid. That\u2019s enough to make polyglutamic acid (PGA) the new hero of hydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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But behind that spectacular figure, what do we really know? Here\u2019s what the science says\u2014and what needs to be put into perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udccc See also:<\/strong> Hyaluronic acid: Real Benefits and How to Use It<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is polyglutamic acid?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Polyglutamic acid is a biopolymer<\/strong>, that is, a long chain of glutamic acid, a common amino acid. The form used in cosmetics is the poly-\u03b3-glutamic acid (\u03b3-PGA)<\/strong>, produced by bacterial fermentation. It occurs naturally in the natto<\/em>, this Japanese dish made from fermented soybeans with a stringy texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In cosmetics, it appears on ingredient lists under the names Polyglutamic Acid<\/em> or Sodium Polyglutamate<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does it affect the skin?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Three mechanisms are generally cited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. A powerful humectant.<\/strong> Like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, PGA attracts and retains water. In laboratory tests, it can bind up to 5,000 times its weight in water, compared to about 1,000 times for hyaluronic acid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. A moisturizing film on the skin's surface.<\/strong> It forms a light film on the skin, which limits water evaporation (insensible water loss).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. A possible protective effect on hyaluronic acid.<\/strong> PGA is believed to inhibit the enzyme hyaluronidase, which breaks down the hyaluronic acid naturally present in the skin. Research also suggests that it may stimulate certain components of the natural moisturizing factor (PCA, lactic acid, urocanic acid).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the Studies Say<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The data exists, but it remains limited<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n