What’s Polyglutamic Acid? A Super Simple & Useful Guide On This Anti-Ageing Ingredient

Today, we have to fret about fine lines and wrinkles much earlier than our mums did because of our hectic, fast-paced lifestyles. Fortunately, we also have a lot more weapons in our arsenal than they had. This hydrating acid is likely to become ageing and dehydrated skin’s arch-enemy and not surprisingly, a girl’s best mate. Super ingredients of the acid known as Polyglutamic acid, work to hydrate and plump your skin like no other, restoring its youth.

But first, keep scrolling for the most useful guide to using this acid in your skincare regime.

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What’s Polyglutamic Acid?

This lesser-known skincare active is a versatile biopolymer derived from L-glutamic acid and bacteria fermentation. What does this mean in a layman’s terms? It’s a peptide comprising of exceptional humectant properties. This means it collects and holds water in the skin from the external environment.

Polyglutamic acid (also known as PGA) may store up to ten times more moisture than hyaluronic acid (known as its first cousin), making it one of the most effective moisturising ingredients on the block for tired, dry, and dehydrated skin.

What Does It Do?

However, the lesser-known PGA has several distinct benefits. For starters, PGA is a fast-acting ingredient. Second, it is more effective at reducing the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and pore appearance. That being said, skin-plumping is one topical effect of polyglutamic acid.

How Should You Incorporate This Active In Your Skincare Routine?

The typical recommendation is to combine PGA with HA. According to most skincare experts, polyglutamic acid is best used in the form of a moisturising serum or moisturiser that also contains hyaluronic acid. Because hyaluronic acid has a larger molecule size than polyglutamic acid, it is absorbed deeper into the skin, resulting in hydration at different levels. Retinol, niacinamide, Vitamin C, and lactic acid are also true allies for PGA.

Which Skin Types Should Try Polyglutamic Acid?

Polyglutamic acid, like most humectants, is well tolerated by almost all skin types — it’s a great crowd-pleaser. It’s especially good for dry, dull, worried, and fatigued skin. There are no contraindicating ingredients (meaning it won’t react adversely with any other actives in your routine), and sensitive skin types can use it safely.

PGA-Infused Skincare Products That Will Give You A Glass-Like Gloss Right Away

Because polyglutamic acid is pretty simple to mix with, we’re seeing it in a variety of products, including serums, face masks, creams, and even some cosmetics. See which ones we think are the best below.

Double-Duty Glow!

This serum is formulated with hyaluronic acid and PGA to provide multi-level hydration throughout the day.

Dull Skin, Who?

This non-oily, moisturising formula contains strong actives that gently exfoliate to improve skin texture and strengthen its natural moisturising factor.

For That ‘Gram-Worthy Selfie

This silky, lightweight serum brightens and evens out the skin tone, making it instantly smoother, even while decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.