PGA holds 4x more water than hyaluronic acid. That’s the math, but here’s the thing — it’s not a fair fight. HA is a water *magnet* on the skin’s surface, while PGA pulls moisture from *deeper* in the dermis. Different jobs, same goal.
I slapped this on after a 14-hour flight, and my skin didn’t turn into a desert by hour three. That’s a first.
It’s a $10.99 serum from The Inkey List that feels like a thick, watery gel. The claim that hooked me: “4x more hydrating than HA.” I call bullshit on most marketing, but this one’s got receipts.
Molecular weight
It’s 50,000 Da — big enough to sit on top and lock moisture in, not penetrate and vanish.
Film-forming tech
It creates a breathable barrier that doesn’t pill under sunscreen. Rare.
Dose
3% concentration. Enough to work, not enough to irritate.
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
It’s not just PGA. There’s a trace of HA (low molecular weight) to pull water *into* the skin, while PGA holds it *on* the skin. Two-layer hydration strategy. Smart. The rest is just glycerin and water — no fragrance, no alcohol, no nonsense.
- Polyglutamic Acid: Holds 4x more water than HA on the surface
- Hyaluronic Acid (low MW): Penetrates to draw moisture deeper
- Glycerin: Humectant that keeps the top layer bouncy
- Propanediol: Enhances absorption without stickiness
Photo: Elsa Olofsson / Unsplash
First pump: it’s slick, almost slippery. Rubs in like a watery serum but dries down in 15 seconds — not tacky, not greasy. My skin felt *tight* but in a plump way, like a balloon filled to the brim.
Two weeks in, the surprise: my makeup sits better. No cakey patches around my nose by 4pm. The downside? If you layer too much, it pills. Less is genuinely more here.
Photo: Laura Jaeger / Unsplash
My fine lines didn’t vanish — they never do. But my skin stopped feeling tight after cleansing, and the flaky patches around my chin? Gone by day five. The shine levels stayed normal, which shocked me since most hydrators turn me into a greaseball.
Photo: Element5 Digital / Unsplash
It’s not a replacement for HA — it’s the bodyguard that keeps HA from evaporating off your face. Buy it if you want moisture that actually lasts past lunch.