INCI: Polyglutamic Acid
Fermentation-derived hydration that helps bind moisture and leave skin feeling smoother, softer, and more supple.
What Is Polyglutamic Acid?
Polyglutamic Acid, often abbreviated as PGA, is a water-soluble biopolymer composed of repeating units of the amino acid glutamic acid. In cosmetic skincare, it is valued primarily for its ability to bind water and form a lightweight, moisture-supportive film on the skin's surface.
Polyglutamic Acid used in skincare is commonly produced through fermentation, making it particularly well suited to modern formulations designed to combine effective hydration with a lightweight skin feel.
Benefits
Polyglutamic Acid functions as a humectant and skin-conditioning ingredient, helping attract and retain moisture at the skin's surface. Its film-forming properties also help support moisture retention, contributing to skin that feels softer, smoother, and more comfortably hydrated.
By improving surface hydration, Polyglutamic Acid can also help soften the appearance of dehydration-related fine lines and give the complexion a smoother, more supple appearance.
How Does Polyglutamic Acid Work?
Polyglutamic Acid has a strong affinity for water. When incorporated into a skincare formula, it interacts with water and helps maintain a moisture-rich environment at the skin's surface.
Because PGA is a polymer, it can also form a thin, flexible film over the surface of the skin. This film helps retain moisture while contributing to the smooth, conditioned feel associated with the ingredient.
Polyglutamic Acid + Hyaluronic Acid
Polyglutamic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid are both hydration-focused ingredients, but they do not need to compete for a place in a skincare formula. Their different structures and formulation characteristics make them complementary components of a multi-dimensional hydration system.
Hyaluronic Acid is widely used for its water-binding properties, while Polyglutamic Acid contributes additional humectancy and a lightweight moisture-retaining film at the skin's surface.
When formulated together, they allow a moisturizer to approach hydration through multiple mechanisms rather than relying on a single humectant.
Is Polyglutamic Acid an Exfoliating Acid?
No. Despite the word "acid" in its name, Polyglutamic Acid is not an exfoliating acid like glycolic acid, lactic acid, or salicylic acid.
Its primary role in skincare is hydration and conditioning rather than removing surface skin cells. This makes it very different from alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).
Polyglutamic Acid + the Moisture Barrier
Maintaining adequate water within the outer layers of the skin is an important part of supporting a comfortable, healthy-looking moisture barrier.
By helping bind water and support moisture retention at the surface, Polyglutamic Acid complements the skin's natural barrier system. It is especially useful when combined with other humectants, emollients, and barrier-supportive ingredients in a complete moisturizing formula.
Why We Use Polyglutamic Acid
At Pure Intox, Polyglutamic Acid is incorporated into Nocturnal Recovery Cream as part of its layered approach to overnight hydration.
It works alongside Hyaluronic Acid and the formula's other moisture-supportive ingredients to help replenish hydration and maintain a soft, smooth, conditioned skin surface.
Its lightweight film-forming properties are particularly valuable in a recovery-focused moisturizer because they provide additional moisture retention without relying solely on heavier oils or occlusive ingredients.
Sourcing & Quality
Cosmetic-grade Polyglutamic Acid is typically produced through controlled microbial fermentation and selected for purity, consistency, water solubility, and compatibility with the finished formulation.
Polyglutamic Acid can vary in molecular weight and other technical characteristics, which can influence its texture, film-forming behavior, and performance within a formula. For this reason, ingredient quality is evaluated in the context of the complete skincare formulation rather than by the ingredient name alone.
Found In Pure Intox Rituals
Polyglutamic Acid is featured in: