If you check the back of your fave skincare products you’ll often find a list of terrifyingly complicated words that make you wish you paid more attention in high school chemistry.
If you’re starting from scratch and searching for an in-depth look into skincare, check out our podcast Skincare School with Dr Michelle Wong (aka Lab Muffin) who is a cosmetic chemist and science educator with a PhD in chemistry.
We’ve gotten used to some of the popular ingredients (looking at you hyaluronic acid) but now and again, we come across terms that leave us baffled.
Recently, three buzzy beauty ingredients (Polyglutamic acid, Tranexamic acid, and Caffeine) came up on our radar so we reached out to Yads Cauchi, Dermal Therapist, Nutritionist and Beauty Journalist, to help us demystify them.
1. Polyglutamic Acid (PGA).
Best for: helping with dryness and age management.
Polyglutamic acid is generally considered a gentle hydrating ingredient suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
PGA is a humectant, which means it attracts and binds moisture to the skin. This can be especially beneficial for people with dry skin, as it can help to hydrate and plump the skin.
It also works for ageing as dehydration is a major contributor to the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, so by keeping the skin hydrated, PGA may help reduce the appearance of these signs of ageing.
Skincare products that contain polyglutamic acid:
Ole Henriksen Barrier Booster Orange Ferment Essence 120ml
This dreamy skin-drenching essence has an antioxidant-rich formula that’s made to be applied to freshly cleansed skin. It helps to maximise hydration and prime your skin to fully soak up the ensuing products in your routine. This orange Ole Henriksen wonder was created to leave your skin bright, plump, and luminous.
Dermalogica Pro-Collagen Banking Serum
This silky gel-textured serum uses collagen, amino acids, carnosine, dipeptide, antioxidants, and polyglutamic acid to help protect, preserve, and promote your skin’s collagen stores. Check out longtime beauty journalist, Sarah Tarca’s full review here.