9 Polyglutamic Acid Moisturizers and Serums That Hydrate Better Than Hyaluronic Acid

Best Polyglutamic Acid Products

We independently select and review the products we recommend. If you make a purchase using our affiliate links below, we may earn a commission.

If you’ve decided to diversify and look into some other way to hydrate your skin, you’re in the right place. Polyglutamic acid products introduce you to a new -and better- way of boosting hydration. And that’s by helping your skin retain water. The good news is there’s more. Because polyglutamic acid has some lesser-known benefits too. So if you’re on the hunt for a polyglutamic acid serum or cream, we’ve got you covered!

A buzzy ingredient but still somewhat mysterious, polyglutamic acid (PGA) is a humectant. It’s made up of a chain of amino acids called glutamic acid and it’s isolated from fermented soybeans. It attracts water and binds it to the skin. Its benefits are comparable to hyaluronic acid, collagen, and glycerin.

What sets it apart from other humectants is the fact that it’s better at keeping your skin hydrated. While a hyaluronic acid serum potentially dehydrates your skin unless you lock it in with a moisturizer, a polyglutamic acid serum stays on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss.

The best part is that polyglutamic acid prevents the breakdown of hyaluronic acid in your skin. It’s also often paired with hyaluronic acid in skincare products for enhanced benefits. Another unique benefit of polyglutamic acid is that, unlike other humectants that usually disappear into the skin, polyglutamic acid tends to leave a silky, satin feel on the skin.

Other benefits of it are reducing the visibility of fine lines, reducing redness and inflammation, and stimulating your skin into producing its own natural moisturizing factors. So it’s no surprise that it’s becoming the hero ingredient in more and more skincare products. Scroll down for our round-up of the best skin care products formulated with polyglutamic acid.

Best Polyglutamic Acid Products

From creams to serums, find below the best polyglutamic acid products.

1. The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid

The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Hydrating Serum - Best Polyglutamic Acid Skincare Products

Ah, the original. The guys that made PGA famous. Well, this is actually a perfect representation of how polyglutamic acid feels on the skin and works for the skin. This serum is made with 3% PGA. It has a gel-like texture, and it hydrates and boosts moisture. And once it absorbs, it leaves a super smooth feel on the skin.

Because of that, this is amazing for people with oily skin. Both PGA and the other propriety ingredients in the serum have film-forming effects on the skin. So if you have an oily complexion, you really don’t need to top this off with an emollient. The serum is super affordable and suitable for all skin types.

Key Ingredients: Polyglutamic acid
Key Benefits: Moisturizes, smooths skin texture
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free

2. Then I Met You The Giving Essence

Then I Met You The Giving Essence - Best Polyglutamic Acid Skin Products

If you prefer a lighter texture, you can try Then I Met You The Giving Essence. Because it’s an essence, which is similar to serums, it’s more runny than goopy and practically disappears into the skin. It doesn’t only use fermented soybeans but also fermented sake.

In addition, it has 5% niacinamide to improve the skin tone, brighten the complexion, and support the skin barrier too. The essence is like a face serum packed with plant extracts with antioxidant benefits, which also gives it that nice red color. So it’s not all about hydrating the skin but also about protecting the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals.

Key Ingredients: Polyglutamic acid, niacinamide
Key Benefits: Reduces dullness, hydrates, supports skin barrier
Size: 3.38 oz/100 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free, alcohol-free

3. Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer - Best Polyglutamic Acid Products

Not surprisingly, lots of Korean skincare brands utilize polyglutamic acid in their products. And they’re good at it too! In case you don’t know, fermented soybeans, commonly known as Natto, make a very famous and delicious dish popular in Korea, and Japan. This is a relatively new launch and an amazing humectant moisturizer with a dream texture.

Besides different molecular weight hyaluronic acid, the cream packs polyglutamic acid, squalane, and amino acids for better moisture and longer water retention. The unique whipped texture feels super comfortable on the skin. Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, or combination skin, this one is a super replenishing daily polyglutamic acid moisturizer.

Key Ingredients: Polyglutamic acid, hyaluronic acid, squalane
Key Benefits: Moisturizes, plumps skin
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

4. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir - Best Polyglutamic Acid Serum Products

This is brightening as much as it is hydrating. It’s formulated with vitamin C and niacinamide. The combination improves radiance, evens out the skin tone, and reduces the look of skin discolorations. To quench thirsty skin, the serum combines polyglutamic acid with amazing humectants and light emollients.

In line with the jelly-goopy texture of the serum, it hydrates the skin but also provides a nice protective layer to prevent moisture loss. But it doesn’t leave a noticeable greasy or sticky feel on the skin. On the contrary, all you get is instantly plump and supple skin with reduced lines and a visible glow.

Key Ingredients: Polyglutamic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide
Key Benefits: Brightens, refines skin texture, hydrates
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan, contains fragrance

5. Versed Mood Lighting Luminizing Glow Drops

Versed Mood Lighting Luminizing Glow Drops

This is a skincare-makeup hybrid. These are glow drops for an instant illuminating effect on the skin much like a luminizer or an illuminating primer. But because it is so hydrating for the skin, you can use the liquid alone too. It comes in two different shades to match your skin tone. And it’s got polyglutamic acid to plump the skin.

It also contains vitamin E for some antioxidant benefits. Basically, it’s the ideal formula for summer weather when the skin is dehydrated and could use some radiance. So if you’re looking for a polyglutamic acid product with some added makeup benefits and glowing skin, you can definitely give this one a try.

Key Ingredients: Polyglutamic acid, blackberry extract, vitamin E
Key Benefits: Boosts radiance, refreshes skin
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

6. Kate Somerville Wrinkle Warrior 2-in-1 Plumping Moisturizer + Serum

Kate Somerville Wrinkle Warrior 2-in-1 Plumping Moisturizer + Serum - Best Anti-Aging Polyglutamic Acid Skincare Products

This is an impressive multi-tasker. Because depending on your skin type, you can use this as a serum or a moisturizer. First off, the texture literally plays both sides. It’s gel-like and transparent but still creamy so much so that if you have oily skin and you want something weightless, this is a great polyglutamic acid moisturizer.

Secondly, it has different types of hyaluronic acid for better skin penetration and moisture retention. Lastly, it has a blend of amino acids to support the skin barrier. So if you’re looking for something that works instantly on fine lines and dehydration lines, this super replenishing polyglutamic acid serum/moisturizer is going to deliver smoother and softer skin!

Key Ingredients: Polyglutamic acid, amino acids, hyaluronic acid
Key Benefits: Minimizes wrinkles, moisturizes
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Contains fragrance, cruelty-free

7. Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer

Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer - Best Polyglutamic Acid Cream

As we’ve established, polyglutamic acid is often paired with hyaluronic acid. Because PGA supports HA and prevents its inhibition in the skin. It’s what BioLeaders, a Korea-based biopharmaceuticals company with patented polyglutamic acid, calls the ‘dream team’. And this moisturizer offers polyglutamic acid together with hyaluronic acid in different molecular weights.

The gel cream is oil-free and silicone-free, which is perfect for hydrating oily and acne-prone skin without clogging pores. It also has niacinamide to reduce the visibility of pores and papaya extract, which is rich in enzymes for superficial exfoliation.

Key Ingredients: Polyglutamic acid, papaya extract, hyaluronic acid
Key Benefits: Balances oil production, refines skin texture
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free, oil-free, fragrance-free

8. Belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner

Belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner

Every single product in the Aqua line is incredibly hydrating for the skin. So this is no exception. This is a polyglutamic acid toner that’s going to revive your skin after cleansing. It just brings life back to the skin and offers an easy way to prep the skin for your routine while ensuring a plump complexion.

Besides polyglutamic acid, the toner infuses the skin with vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid, and baobab extract, which is rich in amino acids and vitamins. So overall, this is an amazing polyglutamic acid product for all skin types but is especially great for dry, aging skin.

Key Ingredients: Polyglutamic acid, panthenol, hyaluronic acid
Key Benefits: Hydrates skin, improves skin barrier
Size: 6.75 oz/200 ml
Good To Know: Vegan

9. Oskia Isotonic Hydra-Serum

Oskia Isotonic Hydra-Serum

You must have heard about encapsulated retinol, which releases retinol into the skin slowly and gradually for longer-lasting benefits. This hydrating serum contains encapsulated glycerin! So your skin has a reservoir of humectants to stay plump, hydrated, and fresh all day! But when hydration is at sake, the more the merrier.

That’s why the serum nourishes the skin and helps improve the skin barrier with a rich blend of amino acids, niacinamide, vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides! It absorbs fast and leaves the skin feeling fresh as a daisy. So no matter your skin type, this is going to restore your skin barrier, reduce water loss, fill in fine lines, and boost skin elasticity.

Key Ingredients: Polyglutamic acid, niacinamide, ceramides
Key Benefits: Restores skin elasticity, improves wrinkles and lines
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Non-comedogenic, cruelty-free

This concludes our round-up of the best polyglutamic acid products for hydrated skin. Most brands use polyglutamic acid with other humectants in their formula. And though that makes it better for your skin, it usually affects the price too. If you don’t need anything fancy, and you just want to try the new hydration hero, try The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Serum. It works well and it’s budget-friendly.

FAQ

Read Next: Best Skin Plumping Products

Scroll to Top