The Ultimate Hydration Battle: Glycerin vs. Hyaluronic Acid vs. Polyglutamic Acid

What It Is: Glycerin is made of three carbon atoms, eight hydrogen atoms, and three oxygen atoms in the formula of C3H8O3. This compound is a carbohydrate called a sugar alcohol, or polyol Glycerin: Cosmetic and Food Uses, Safety, Forms.

Where It Comes From:

• Plant-based sources: Natural glycerin is obtained from coconut, palm, and soybean oils and fats (Glycerin: Cosmetic and Food Uses, Safety, Forms

• Animal-based sources: Glycerin is obtained when tallow (beef or mutton fat) is combined with water and heat and then chilled Glycerin: Cosmetic and Food Uses, Safety, Forms

• Petroleum is the final source used to make glycerin - this artificial type was not invented until 1948. (Link to Research article)

How It's Produced: There are three ways to process it: transesterification, saponification, and fat splitting (hydrolysis) Glycerine making equipment - Making.com. Today we use 100% vegetable glycerine produced from vegetable oils such as rapeseed, sunflower or palm oil using a process that complies with the principles of green chemistry Glycerine – Ingredient | Inside Our Products – L’Oréal.

How It Works: Glycerin is a humectant that pulls water into the outer layer of your skin from deeper levels of your skin and the air Glycerin For Skin: Benefits, Side Effects, Best Types to Use. However, in low humidity conditions, the nearest source of water is the lower levels of your skin, which can dehydrate the skin Glycerin For Skin: Benefits, Side Effects, Best Types to Use.

Is It Good for Skin? According to a 2016 study, glycerin is the most effective humectant compared to hyaluronic acid, sorbitol, urea, and alpha-hydroxy acids Glycerin: The Most Frequently Used Cosmetic Ingredient After Water - Ingredi. It's considered GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the FDA.

MY thoughts: ANYTHING that comes from Petroleum is NOT good for you. Period! Stay with the natural sources!

What It Is: Hyaluronic acid is a linear glycosaminoglycan polymer commonly found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrate epithelial, neural and connective tissues Biotechnological production of hyaluronic acid: a mini review - PMC. That's why a quarter-teaspoon of hyaluronic acid can hold about one and a half gallons of water Hyaluronic Acid: What It Is, Benefits, How To Use & Side Effects.

Where It Comes From:

• Traditional Source: The first hyaluronic acid-based skincare product appeared in the 1970s when it was extracted from rooster's crests following chemical treatment, grinding, and purification How Is Hyaluronic Acid Produced, and What Are Its Sources?

• Modern Source: HA used in beauty and skincare products is primarily made by bacteria in a lab via a process called biofermentation The hype on hyaluronic acid - Harvard Health

How It's Produced: Bacterial fermentation offers high production efficiency, lower costs, and high product purity. It allows for better control over molecular weight and is ideal for large-scale industrial production How is Hyaluronic Acid Powder Made | Stanford Chemicals. Hyaluronic acid is produced biotechnologically through microbial fermentation with the aid of yeast extract and peptones Hyaluronic Acid 161 | MakingCosmetics.

How It Works: Larger HA molecules sit on top of the skin offering hydration only at the surface, while smaller HA molecules can penetrate deeper into the epidermis The hype on hyaluronic acid - Harvard Health.

Is It Good for Skin? Research shows that hyaluronic acid is safe to use. Reactions or adverse effects are rare, and it's safe to use if you're pregnant or nursing Hyaluronic Acid: What It Is, Benefits, How To Use & Side Effects.

My thoughts: This has always been the go to, but if you do have chronically dry skin, I would definitely pair it with the other two humectants mentioned here.

What It Is: Polyglutamic acid is made up of repeating units of the amino acid glutamic acid linked together in a chain-like structure The Magic of Polyglutamic Acid in Enhancing Skin Health | Clinikally.

Unlike HA which is a glycosaminoglycan and therefore a sugar-based polymer, Polyglutamic Acid is a polypeptide made up of repeating units of amino acid Hyaluronic Acid Vs. Polyglutamic Acid - Which Is Right For You? – Prequel.

Where It Comes From: PGA is a natural amino acid that is generated from fermented soybeans or other plant sources Revolutionizing Skincare with Polyglutamic Acid: A Deep Dive into Its Benefits.

PGA is produced via fermentation of L-glutamic acid with bacillus subtilis Hyaluronic Acid Vs. Polyglutamic Acid - Which Is Right For You? – Prequel.

How It's Produced: This unique biopolymer is produced through a fermentation process involving particular types of bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis The Magic of Polyglutamic Acid in Enhancing Skin Health | Clinikally.

Polyglutamic acid is also found in the traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans, called "natto" Polyglutamic Acid Skin Care Benefits, Uses, Side Effects.

How It Works: Unlike other hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, polyglutamic acid consists of larger molecules, which means it's unable to deeply penetrate the skin. Instead, it acts as an occlusive by forming a soft film on the skin surface What Is Polyglutamic Acid? How to Use This Hydrating Skincare Ingredient.

Is It Good for Skin? Polyglutamic acid is generally well tolerated by all skin types making it a great hydrator for all Hyaluronic Acid Vs. Polyglutamic Acid - Which Is Right For You? – Prequel. PGA is known to play well with other ingredients and can even amplify the performance of other humectants Polyglutamic Acid in Skincare – Prequel.

My thoughts: This is a good one to look for! But the molecules are larger, so you will need other humectants in combination.

Hydration Power:

• Glycerin: Holds modest amounts of water

• Hyaluronic Acid: Holds 1,000x its weight in water

• PGA: Can hold up to 5000 times its weight in water Polyglutamic Acid in Skincare – Prequel and has been found to retain moisture even better than HA Move Over Hyaluronic Acid, Is Polyglutamic Acid the new Skincare Icon?

Unique Benefits:

• Glycerin: Provides extra layer of protection to skin and increases epidermal layer thickness Glycerin: The Most Frequently Used Cosmetic Ingredient After Water - Ingredi

• Hyaluronic Acid: Naturally found in our body, multiple molecular weights available

• PGA: Inhibits hyaluronidase, preserving hyaluronic acid in the skin What is Polyglutamic Acid in Skincare? | Biossance and helps increase the skin's production of Natural Moisturizing Factors Hyaluronic Acid Vs. Polyglutamic Acid - Which Is Right For You? – Prequel

The Verdict:

All three are excellent and work best together! A 13.5% increase in skin hydration was recorded after applying polyglutamic acid formula, compared with 7.5% for the glycerol-based formula The benefits of polyglutamic acid for skin., but polyglutamic acid and hyaluronic acid can be used together or layered for further hydration and skin plumping Hyaluronic Acid Vs. Polyglutamic Acid - Which Is Right For You? – Prequel.

Bottom Line: PGA is the newest powerhouse with superior water-holding capacity and the bonus of protecting your natural HA, while glycerin remains the reliable, cost-effective workhorse. Use all three for ultimate hydration! Don't' be afraid to try different products to get the results you need.

Idea inspired by Spring Davison and research compiled by Claude AI.