When it comes to achieving intense hydration, reducing wrinkles, or rejuvenating your skin, it’s crucial to grasp the distinctions between sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid.
Failing to understand these differences can have detrimental effects on your skin, potentially leaving it drier and less nourished than before.
Sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid are great skincare ingredients for all skin types and they may sound alike, but they have unique properties that greatly influence the efficacy of your skincare regimen.
Ready to learn more about the differences between these two?
I’m about to explain it all to you and show you how to incorporate these ingredients into your routine, while ensuring you obtain the maximum benefits for your skin’s health and vitality.
Is Sodium Hyaluronate Hyaluronic Acid?
No, sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid are not exactly the same thing, although they are closely related and have similar benefits1.
Sodium hyaluronate is actually a derivative of hyaluronic acid. It is the sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid.
While they share similar properties and benefits for the skin, the slight distinctions between them can impact their performance in skincare products.
Sodium Hyaluronate Versus Hyaluronic Acid – Key Differences
When comparing sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid, we can find differences in molecular size, stability, and skin benefits.
All of them play a significant role in understanding their distinct characteristics in skincare formulations.
1. Molecular Size
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Smaller molecules2 makes it incredibly hydrating and allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin to reduce wrinkles.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Larger molecular size limits penetration but still have impressive ability to boost hydration and reduce dryness by attracting the hydration.
2. Stability
- Sodium Hyaluronate: More stable3 and less susceptible to oxidation, making it an attractive ingredient for skincare formulations.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Requires specific formulation techniques to maintain stability and prevent degradation.
3. Skin Benefits
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Penetrates past the surface of the skin into deeper layers of the skin, moisturizing and hydrating from within, which is great for reducing wrinkling and slowing other signs of aging.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Works on the skin’s surface to attract and bind water, providing immediate hydration and improving the overall moisture balance.
Everything You Need To Know About Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium hyaluronate is a derivative of hyaluronic acid.
Unlike its larger hyaluronic acid counterparts, sodium hyaluronate boasts a smaller molecular size, enhancing absorption into the skin.
Functioning as a humectant, sodium hyaluronate attracts moisture from the surroundings, intensifying its hydrating prowess.
Additionally, it establishes a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, effectively sealing in moisture and safeguarding against external irritants.
Sodium Hyaluronate Benefits
When applied topically, sodium hyaluronate offers a multitude of skin benefits.
Its remarkable ability as a humectant4 to bind and retain moisture elevates skin hydration and promotes a plump, supple appearance, while concurrently enhancing elasticity and diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
But that’s not all.
Sodium hyaluronate showcases soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it especially suitable for sensitive or irritated skin.
It aids in calming redness, alleviating dryness, and fostering a more balanced complexion.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Sodium Hyaluronate?
If someone with dry skin uses a skincare product containing sodium hyaluronate without proper hydration and moisturization, it can potentially lead to the skin feeling even drier.
This occurs when the product draws moisture from the skin instead of the environment, exacerbating the dryness and potentially causing a feeling of tightness or discomfort.
It highlights the importance of using sodium hyaluronate-based products in conjunction with proper hydration and moisturization techniques.
If you have dry skin, ensure your face is adequately hydrated before applying products containing sodium hyaluronate and to follow up with a suitable moisturizer to lock in the hydration.
Always apply sodium hyaluronate products on damp skin.
It’s essential to listen to your skin, adjust your skincare routine accordingly, and consult with a dermatologist if you have concerns about the effects of specific skincare products on your skin.
Does Sodium Hyaluronate Contain Hyaluronic Acid?
Sodium hyaluronate is actually derived from hyaluronic acid. It is the salt form of hyaluronic acid, which means it is created by adding sodium molecules to hyaluronic acid.
So, in a sense, sodium hyaluronate does contain hyaluronic acid, but in a modified form.
The modification is done to enhance its stability and absorption properties.
Sodium hyaluronate is commonly used in skincare products due to its scientifically enhanced ability to attract and retain moisture, providing hydration and promoting skin plumpness.
Everything You Need To Know About Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a vital component naturally present in the skin, responsible for maintaining moisture and promoting overall skin health.
You’ll find it incorporated into various products like serums, creams, and masks, all working to replenish moisture levels, enhance skin elasticity, and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
What Are The 3 Types Of Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid, a versatile skincare ingredient, can be categorized in several ways.
Understanding these categorizations can help select the most suitable form of hyaluronic acid for specific skincare formulations and treatments, ensuring optimal results and healthier skin.
- Molecular weight
Hyaluronic acid comes in different molecular weights5, which determine the size of its molecules. It’s classified as low, high, or intermediate molecular weight.
These distinctions are important as they influence how deep hyaluronic acid penetrates the skin.
For example: a smoother skin texture with lower penetration vs. minimizing fine lines and wrinkles thanks to deeper penetration (lower molecular weight).
- Form
Hyaluronic acid is available in various forms6, each with specific purposes7 or modifications. These include hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, sodium acetylated hyaluronate, and sodium hyaluronate.
Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is obtained by breaking down larger molecules into smaller fragments (thus low molecular weight), promoting better skin penetration and hydration.
Sodium acetylated hyaluronate offers enhanced stability and water-binding properties, while sodium hyaluronate, derived from hyaluronic acid, retains moisture, promoting hydration and skin elasticity.
- Purity
Hyaluronic acid can be classified as pure, indicating it is undiluted and free from additional ingredients.
Pure hyaluronic acid is highly potent, often found in concentrated serums or ampoules.
Hyaluronic Acid Benefits
Hyaluronic acid offers a multitude of skincare benefits, making it a sought-after ingredient in the beauty industry.
Its exceptional moisture-retaining properties arise from its unique ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, creating a plumping effect and maintaining the skin’s natural moisture balance.
- Skin hydration
Drawing moisture from the environment and binding it to the skin, providing deep hydration to alleviate dryness and replenish moisture levels.
- Enhanced skin elasticity
By improving skin hydration, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in smoother, more youthful skin.
- Improved skin texture
It helps refine the skin’s surface by promoting cell turnover, reducing roughness, and improving overall skin tone. Some studies even show that hyaluronic acid can also help with acne by controlling sebum production.
- Skin barrier protection
Strengthens the skin’s natural protective barrier, shielding it from environmental stressors and pollutants to prevent moisture loss, making the skin less prone to sensitivity.
- Compatibility with other ingredients
Works synergistically with other skincare ingredients, by enhancing their absorption into the skin and boosting the effects of antioxidants, vitamins, peptides, and other beneficial compounds.
Does Hyaluronic Acid Have Any Side Effects?
Improper use of this beloved beauty ingredient, can pose challenges for people fighting with skin dryness. It’s just like with similar to sodium hyaluronate.
When applied without sufficient hydration, hyaluronic acid has the potential to exacerbate dryness instead of providing the desired moisture.
In the absence of natural moisture in the atmosphere, it may pull moisture from deeper skin layers, ultimately intensifying dryness.
To prevent this outcome, it is crucial to apply hyaluronic acid products to well-hydrated skin (or simply damp skin after cleansing) and to follow up with a moisturizer to seal in the moisture.
Difference Between Sodium Hyaluronate And Hyaluronic Acid – Comparison
- One penetrates deeper
Sodium hyaluronate has a smaller molecular weight, allowing for better skin penetration and deeper absorption into the dermal layer.
Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, typically has a larger molecular weight, primarily working on the skin’s surface for hydration.
- One makes products last longer
Sodium hyaluronate offers better stability, making it suitable for various skincare formulations.
On the other hand hyaluronic acid requires specific formulation techniques to maintain effectiveness and prevent degradation.
- One may cause allergic reactions in some people
Both are generally well-tolerated by all skin types but hyaluronic acid can cause allergic reactions or sensitivities.
This is rare and due to the fact that it’s sometimes formulated from animal-derived sources.
This issue can also be averted by selecting vegan formulations8.
Hyaluronic Acid Vs. Sodium Hyaluronate – Similarities
- Origins
Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the human body and sodium hyaluronate is a derivative of hyaluronic acid. Both are considered safe9 to use for this reason.
- Hydration retention
Both sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid have excellent water-holding capacity, attracting and retaining moisture, leading to improved hydration and skin texture.
- Formulation compatibility
Both have unique characteristics that may impact their interactions with other ingredients.
For example, the molecular weight of either one can affect its solubility and ability to penetrate the skin, which in turn affects absorption of other skincare ingredients.
The pH and concentration can also influence the stability and performance of these ingredients.
- Cosmetic procedures
In the skincare world, these substances are commonly utilized in dermal fillers, which are injectable treatments designed to add volume and enhance contours in areas such as the lips and cheeks.
They are also used in anti-aging treatments to restore lost volume, improve skin texture, and address signs of aging, for a revitalized appearance.
Which Is Better Sodium Hyaluronate Vs. Hyaluronic Acid?
Ultimately, the decision between sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid depends on your specific skincare needs.
Sodium hyaluronate has a smaller molecular size, allowing for better penetration into the skin, making it an excellent choice for individuals with dry or dehydrated skin by providing intense hydration.
On the other hand, hyaluronic acid, with its larger molecular size, works primarily on the skin’s surface, making it suitable for those looking for a hydrating and plumping effect.
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority.
Resources:
- https://www.thezoereport.com/
- https://thedermreview.com/
- https://www.byrdie.com/
- https://www.100percentpure.com/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- https://www.healthline.com/
- https://pleijsalon.com/
- https://versedskin.com/
