I’ve been ignoring polyglutamic acid for years because I assumed it was just another marketing buzzword. Then Theramid sent me this 5% serum and I had to eat my skepticism.
The science is stupid-simple: PGA molecules hold up to 4,000 times their weight in water — that’s roughly 4x more than hyaluronic acid. But the real kicker? It forms this invisible film on your skin that physically stops water from escaping. HA pulls moisture in. PGA traps it there.
Theramid sells this at around $38 for 30ml. The claim that got me: “5% pure PGA with zero filler.” That’s unusually honest for skincare.
5% Pure PGA
Most brands use 1-2% and call it a day. This actually delivers the full dose.
Panthenol + Glycerin
The sidekicks that keep the formula from feeling sticky — they soften the film PGA creates.
Fermented Yeast Extract
Adds a subtle glow that has nothing to do with hydration. Nice surprise.
Photo: ibnu ihza / Unsplash
This is where it gets nerdy. PGA works best on *damp* skin because it pulls water from the environment, not just your moisturizer. Theramid layers in sodium hyaluronate (the low-molecular-weight HA that penetrates deeper) so you get both surface-hold and deep-plump.
- Polyglutamic Acid: Creates a water-trapping film on skin’s surface
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Low-MW HA that sinks in deeper than standard HA
- Panthenol: Calms irritation and boosts the barrier function
- Glycerin: Humectant that prevents the formula from feeling tacky
Photo: kevin laminto / Unsplash
It’s a thin, watery gel that feels almost like nothing. Absorbs in about 15 seconds — no residue, no pilling under sunscreen. I actually forgot I applied it, which is rare for a hydrating serum.
Two weeks in, my forehead lines look less etched. Not gone — but the skin around them looks *plumped*, like it’s holding a drink of water. The weird part? My moisturizer started feeling optional on humid days. That never happens.
Photo: Ali Pazani / Unsplash
My skin feels bouncier. My makeup sits better. But my dry patches on my chin? Still there — this isn’t a moisturizer, it’s a water-locker. You still need a cream on top in winter.
Photo: Laura Chouette / Unsplash
This is the hydrating serum I’d repurchase before any HA on my shelf. It does one job — trapping water — and it does it stupidly well.