The Beauty Signal
Intelligence · Ingredients

The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.

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Polyglutamic Acid (PGA)

Quietly positioning itself as hyaluronic acid's successor — or its superior partner. Produced by fermentation of glutamic acid by Bacillus subtilis, PGA can hold up to 5,000x its weight in water (vs. ~1,000x for HA). Its high molecular weight (~2,000 kDa) forms a protective film that physically slows transepidermal water loss, and it inhibits hyaluronidase, extending the lifespan of skin's own HA reserves.

Benefits
  • holds up to 5,000x its weight in water
  • forms a film that seals in moisture
  • inhibits hyaluronidase to preserve native HA
Example uses
  • hydrating serums
  • toners
  • eye creams
  • plumping moisturizers
Formulation notes

Pairs powerfully with HA and ectoin in layered hydration systems (per Biossance Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum trials: 100% noticed fine-line improvement at 4 weeks).

Watchouts

'PGA' also abbreviates poly-glycolic acid — confirm the INCI is polyglutamic acid, not an exfoliant.

Clean beauty perception

Strongly positive — fermentation-derived, biodegradable, non-comedogenic, animal-free.