If you look around, you will find that hyaluronic acid (HA) is the buzzworthy active that has been hailed as one of the best hydrating ingredients of the bunch in our beauty community. But the real question is: why are we using the salt form of HA—sodium hyaluronate, instead of the other? Here is everything you need to know about sodium hyaluronate in your skincare product. 

 

  • Attract Water Into The Skin. 

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that acts like a sponge. Interestingly, it can hold up to 1000 times its molecular weight in water and infuse layers of skin with hydrating goodness. This is because it allows hydrogen bonding to attract water from the surrounding environment into the skin. However, sodium hyaluronate is far more suitable to be used as it has lower molecular weight that is easily absorbed compared to hyaluronic acid. It is also suitable for all skin type but please remember to use an occlusive to lock in the hydration to further enhance your lipid barrier. 

 

b. Anti-Aging Benefits. 

Since sodium hyaluronate can penetrate deeper into the skin compared to hyaluronic acid, it delivers an abundant amount of hydrating goodness to plump up your skin. A study also suggests that sodium hyaluronate may help to boost collagen production by stretching collagen-producing cells known as fibroblasts. By doing so, it creates a smoother looking skin texture and reduces the appearance of skin-aging. It is also especially great to be used under makeup for that perfect, smooth base!

 

There are many great humectants out there but if you are still struggling with finding the right one, you might wanna give sodium hyaluronate a chance. It is not an exfoliating kind of acid and it is generally safe even if you overdo it, yay!