Ingredient glossary
Polyglutamic Acid
On your shelf ✓What Polyglutamic Acid does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Polyglutamic Acid · Also: PGA, Gamma Polyglutamic Acid
In short: Polyglutamic Acid delivers hydration and barrier support, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is emerging.
- What it does
- Hydration, barrier support
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Evidence
- Emerging
The Glow take
Genuinely worth a spot in your routine.
When your goal is deep, lasting hydration, Polyglutamic Acid pulls genuine weight, though the proof is still catching up to the excitement. Gentle enough that most skin types can reach for it.
— Maya
What it does
- hydration
- barrier support
- texture
emerging evidenceEarly cosmetic trials with hyaluronic acid combinations show sustained increases in hydration firmness and elasticity for up to eight weeks yet studies specifically isolating polyglutamic acid remain few.
On a label: usually effective at 0.1-3%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- dry
- dehydrated
- normal
- combo
- sensitive
Approach with care
No specific group flagged to avoid it.
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- hyaluronic acid
- humectants
- ceramides
Polyglutamic Acid, answered
Is Polyglutamic Acid safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Polyglutamic Acid is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Polyglutamic Acid?
No specific group is flagged to avoid Polyglutamic Acid. It is well tolerated by most skin. Still, introduce anything new one product at a time.
What concentration of Polyglutamic Acid actually works?
Polyglutamic Acid tends to do its job in the 0.1 to 3% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
Commonly confused with
- Hyaluronic acidBoth are humectants that pull in water. Polyglutamic acid holds even more and sits on top; hyaluronic draws moisture in.
Compare Polyglutamic Acid with
Can you mix Polyglutamic Acid with
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