Move over hyaluronic acid, there’s a new skincare ingredient in town, and it’s a winner.
Costhetics’ latest research into news and information about skincare and aesthetic enhancement keeps leading us to one place: polyglutamic acid (PGA). Available in serum formulations, we learned this superstar hydration powerhouse forms a hydrogel film on the surface of the skin that prevents water from evaporating.
We wanted to know more. Don’t you?
What is Polyglutamic Acid in Skincare?
PGA is a substance with the ability to grab onto moisture within the skin and bring it to the surface. The scientific word for this is humectant. Unlike its better-known cousin hyaluronic acid (HA), PGA doesn’t occur naturally in the body. It is created via a natural fermentation process that combines L-glutamic acid with bacillus sutilis. The result is a multi-functional biopolymer with a taste for H2O.
Don’t let all these scientific words scramble your brain. The takeaway on PGA is that it works! It literally floods the skin with moisture. PGA is a chunkier molecule than HA. In fact, The Refinery refers to PGA as “HA’s big sister.” Its size means it doesn’t have the potential to sink as deeply into the skin, giving it a very desirable shiny, glassy appearance. PA also holds up to 4,000 times its weight in water to refresh thirsty skin. (hyaluronic acid retains just one-quarter of that amount).
5 Ways Polyglutamic Acid Improves Skin
This useful ingredient even mixes well with other ingredients to optimise hydration. When combined by doctors with peptides or HA, for example, polyglutamic acid treatments give patients improvements in:
- Skin hydration
- Visible pores
- Skin plumpness
- Skin elasticity
- Skin barrier function
Another unexpected bonus of well-hydrated skin is that it “makes makeup application so much easier too,” reports beauty site Byrdie.
PGA and Skin Types
PGA is a gentle ingredient for hydrating all types of skin. It’s effective in concentrations as low as 0.l% which means it’s a good choice for people whose skin is compromised. People whose skin is sensitive or extremely dry however, may find PGA more effective than HA. This is particularly true in the winter when cold weather chaps skin even more.
PGA Is An At-Home Hydration Hero
PGA is gentle enough to be used twice daily to keep your skin moist and hydrated. In the morning, layer it into your regimen like this:
- Cleanse
- Serum with PGA
- Spot treatments
- Eye cream
- Moisturiser
- Sunscreen
In the evening:
- Cleanse
- Exfoliate
- Spot treatments
- Eye serum with retinol and PGA
- Moisturise
Want to Know More? Ask Your Skin Care Expert
Polyglutamic acid continues to show real promise in the world of skin health and beauty. Is it right for you? Costhetics can’t say yes or no, but an experienced skin specialist can. Rather than risking your complexion on a product you don’t know and that may trigger a negative skin reaction, we say ask an expert. A professional has the skill and training to analyse your skin and then recommend bespoke treatments and personalised products to meet your needs perfectly. Don’t know where to start? Contact Costhetics and we can help you find a qualified provider you’ll love.