Ingredient glossary / Humectant
Polyglutamic acid
On the label: Polyglutamic Acid · Humectant
What it is
A peptide from fermented soybeans (natto), used as a humectant alongside hyaluronic acid.
Humectants: Humectants draw water into the outer layer of skin from the air and the layers below; glycerin is the classic one.
Wikidata: Polymer of glutamic acid. Q187980 →
In the research
36 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- [Protein engineering of PgsA combined with Bayesian optimization drives efficient poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis by Corynebacterium glutamicum] · Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology, 2026
- Production of gamma-polyglutamic acid with tunable molecular weight via electrofermentation using soybean protein concentrate as a feedstock · Bioresource technology, 2026
- Double-network PVA/γ-PGA/fucoidan hydrogels with favourable biocompatibility and anti-inflammatory activity for wound healing · Carbohydrate polymers, 2026
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Other humectants
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