You've heard of Hyaluronic Acid. At this stage, everyone has. It's been on every serum, toner and moisturiser for the last five years, and for good reason - it's genuinely brilliant. But there's a newer ingredient quietly showing up in the most advanced formulations right now that most people still haven't heard of, and it's about to change how you think about hydration.
Meet Polyglutamic Acid - or PGA, if you want to sound like you know what you're talking about at the skincare shelf.
What Even Is Polyglutamic Acid?
PGA is a naturally occurring polymer - a chain of amino acids - originally derived from fermented soybeans. It's been used in Japan and South Korea for years, but it's only recently started making its way into Western skincare conversations.
The key thing to know is that it's a large molecule, which means it sits on the surface of your skin rather than penetrating deeply. That might sound less impressive, but it's actually what makes it so effective.
Why It's More Impressive Than It Sounds
PGA can hold up to 4,000 times its weight in water - four times more than Hyaluronic Acid.
1. It traps what HA pulls in. HA draws water into the skin but can also draw water out if the environment around you is dry. PGA forms a breathable film on the skin's surface that seals the moisture in, preventing that escape.
2. It boosts your skin's own hyaluronic acid production. PGA inhibits an enzyme (hyaluronidase) that breaks down your skin's natural HA. Less breakdown = more natural hydration retained over time.
3. It improves skin texture visibly and fast. Because it sits on the skin's surface, PGA has an immediate smoothing effect.
How It Compares to Hyaluronic Acid
| Hyaluronic Acid | Polyglutamic Acid | |
|---|---|---|
| Water retention | 1,000x its weight | 4,000x its weight |
| Molecule size | Small - penetrates skin | Large - sits on surface |
| Primary action | Draws water into skin | Seals moisture in + boosts natural HA |
They're not competing. They're complementary. Using both together is significantly more effective than using either alone.
Why I Put Both in the Skinergy Serum
When I was formulating the Skinergy Hydrate & Plump Serum, I kept coming back to this question: why make someone buy two products when you can engineer one that does the full job? The serum combines Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid and Multi-Peptides - each one chosen specifically because of how they work together.
Clinically proven, dermatologically tested, €24.
If you haven't heard of PGA yet, you will. And now you'll already know what it does.
Skincare, simplified.
- Sam
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