INCI: Sodium Hyaluronate / Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer / Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate / Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate - Also known as: Hyaluronic Acid Salt, HA, Hyaluronan

QUICK FACTS

What is Sodium Hyaluronate?

Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid - a glycosaminoglycan (a long-chain polysaccharide sugar) naturally present throughout the human body, most abundantly in the skin, connective tissue, and synovial fluid. In the dermis, hyaluronic acid forms part of the extracellular matrix alongside collagen and elastin, where it is studied in connection with maintaining the tissue's water content and viscoelastic properties. The skin alone contains approximately 50% of the body's total hyaluronic acid, with the dermis holding the highest concentration - but the stratum corneum and epidermis also contain meaningful amounts that decline with age and UV exposure.

Sweet Chemistry formulates four distinct molecular-weight forms of sodium hyaluronate in each of its three water-based products: standard Sodium Hyaluronate (high molecular weight, associated with surface hydration), Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer (a cross-linked form with enhanced surface film-forming character), Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate (low molecular weight, associated with deeper epidermal penetration), and Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate (an acetylated form studied for longer skin-surface residency). Each form has a different molecular size and a different studied interaction with the skin - together they provide a multi-depth, multi-mechanism hyaluronic acid approach that no single form alone can replicate.

This four-form approach is a formulation choice that reflects the same philosophy applied across all Sweet Chemistry actives: completeness over simplification.

What does Sodium Hyaluronate do for skin?

Each of the four sodium hyaluronate forms is associated with hydration contribution at a different depth and duration, creating a layered approach to moisture management across the stratum corneum and upper epidermis.

Standard high-molecular-weight Sodium Hyaluronate is associated with surface moisture-binding - forming a hygroscopic film that attracts water from the environment and holds it at the skin's surface, visibly plumping and smoothing the uppermost layers. Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer's cross-linked structure gives it a longer surface residency and a stronger film-forming character - studied in connection with extended surface hydration that persists through environmental exposure. Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate's smaller molecular size is studied in connection with penetrating further into the viable epidermis, where it may support the water content of deeper epidermal layers. Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate's acetyl group is studied in connection with increased lipophilicity and a stronger affinity for the cell surface - research has associated this form with superior skin-surface residency compared to unmodified HA.

The clinical outcome associated with this combined approach is visible in Sweet Chemistry's independent study data, where statistically significant improvement in skin hydration was observed in 89% of subjects. The multi-form HA system works alongside glycerin, PCA, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, beta-glucan, and the amino acid complex to create a comprehensive, multi-layer hydration environment. Individual results may vary.

FOUND IN

In 3 Formulas as Four Molecular-Weight Forms

All four forms of sodium hyaluronate are present in each of Sweet Chemistry's three water-based formulas - delivering multi-depth, multi-mechanism hyaluronic acid hydration across the Hydra-Serum, Hydra-Cream, and Lipid-Cream.

O3 - Nourishment - All Skin Types

Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum 4-Form Sodium Hyaluronate Complex - 1.0 oz / 30 ml

The Hydra-Serum delivers all four HA forms within a 40%-active emulsion also containing glycerin, PCA, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, and the eleven-amino-acid complex - the most comprehensive NMF hydration system in the Max Repair System range.

O2 - Hydration - Dry to Normal

Elasticity Reinforcing Hydra-Cream 4-Form Sodium Hyaluronate Complex - 1.7 oz / 50 ml

The Hydra-Cream pairs the four-form HA complex with 3% Matrikynes® peptides, 2% THD ascorbate, and a full ceramide barrier system - plumping hydration and structural density working together.

O2 - Hydration - Dry to Dehydrated

Elasticity Reinforcing Lipid-Cream 4-Form Sodium Hyaluronate Complex - 1.7 oz / 50 ml

In the Lipid-Cream, the four-form HA system delivers multi-depth hydration within the most emollient formula in the lineup - pairing water-binding depth with shea butter, ceramides, and 3% Matrikynes® peptides for dry and dehydrated skin.

WORKS TOGETHER WITH

Organic Humectant Glycerin

INCI: Glycerin.

Present near the top of the ingredient list in all three water-based formulas. The primary humectant base in which the HA complex operates. Synergy Note: Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate are both hygroscopic humectants but at different molecular scales and skin depths - glycerin draws water quickly to the surface while the HA complex distributes moisture-binding across multiple epidermal layers for a sustained result.

NMF Component PCA / Sodium PCA

INCI: PCA, Sodium PCA.

Skin-identical NMF components present alongside the HA complex in all three water-based formulas. Synergy Note: PCA and sodium PCA contribute the skin's own NMF water-binding molecules; the HA complex contributes a glycosaminoglycan-based humectant from the dermis - together they address both the epidermal NMF and the extracellular matrix hydration dimensions simultaneously. 

ECM Peptide Complex Matrikynes® Bone Peptides

INCI: Hydrolyzed Cow Bone Extract.

At 3% in all four formulas, associated with improvements in the appearance of skin density and aging signs. Synergy Note: Hyaluronic acid is a component of the same extracellular matrix that Matrikynes® targets - topical HA supports the hydration dimension of the ECM environment while Matrikynes® addresses the structural density dimension. These two actives work within the same biological framework. 

Polysaccharide Humectant Beta-Glucan

INCI: Beta-Glucan.

Present in all three water-based formulas alongside the HA complex as a surface-film-forming polysaccharide humectant. Synergy Note: Beta-glucan and high-molecular-weight sodium hyaluronate both contribute surface film-forming humectant character - their combined presence strengthens the surface moisture barrier while the lower-molecular-weight HA forms work at greater depth below them.