Quick answer
Salt form of hyaluronic acid; Excellent skin-replenishing ingredient; One gram can hold up to six liters of water; More readily absorbed into skin than hyaluronic acid; Available in different molecular weights for controlled penetration Key benefits: Hydration, Anti-Aging, Soothing.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Updated
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
Purpose
The salt form of hyaluronic acid. Like its sister ingredient, it’s considered an excellent moisturizer, helping skin retain water so it looks and feels smoother. It is more bioavailable than hyaluronic acid, meaning it is more readily absorbed by skin.
Rating
BEST
Category
Humectant, Antioxidant
INCI Purpose
HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING
Benefits
Alternative Names
Hyaluronic acid
Hair Profile
Functions
At a Glance
Salt form of hyaluronic acid
Excellent skin-replenishing ingredient
One gram can hold up to six liters of water
More readily absorbed into skin than hyaluronic acid
Available in different molecular weights for controlled penetration
Article
Sodium hyaluronate is the salt form of the skin-replenishing ingredient hyaluronic acid. It shares the same benefits as hyaluronic acid, including its remarkable ability to help skin retain a lot of moisture - one gram (or 0.03 oz.) of hyaluronic acid can hold up to six liters of water. Used on skin, it doesn’t hold that much water; instead, as a smart ingredient, sodium hyaluronate helps skin maintain water balance, which is critical to its healthy appearance.
In addition to its moisture-binding (humectant) properties, sodium hyaluronate is also considered a postbiotic, meaning it can help nourish and maintain skin’s microbiome.
The chief difference between hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate is that sodium hyaluronate is more bioavailable - meaning skin more readily absorbs it than hyaluronic acid. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better than hyaluronic acid, merely that many skin care products contain both forms, so your skin sees maximum benefits. Both hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate are available in different molecular weights for multi-level results (lower molecular weight can penetrate deeper into skin’s layers, where higher weights deliver immediate results on the surface).
See: Hyaluronic Acid
References