Hyaluronic Acid

INCI Name

Hyaluronic Acid

Botanical Name

None

Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide with remarkable water-binding capacity. In skincare, it hydrates and plumps the skin, improves elasticity, and reduces the appearance of fine lines. Fermentation-derived versions are the standard for cosmetic use and are suitable for all skin types.

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Primary Function
Humectant
Add'l Function
Active
Film Former
Scent Profile
Odorless
Is It Natural?
Naturally Identical (Fermentation-Derived)
Formulate with Confidence

Botanical Building Blocks for Every Blend

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Skin Type Suitability

All
Dry
Mature
Sensitive
Combination
Normal
Baby/Child Safe
Considered Safe for Babies
Considered Safe for Teens
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Typical Product Use

Humectant, moisturizer, skin conditioning, film former

Product Type(s):

Serum
Cream
Lotion
Gel
Toner
Mask

Typical Usage Range:

0.1–2% depending on molecular weight; higher concentrations possible in gels and serums

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Supportive Qualities

Provides intense hydration, plumps skin, reduces appearance of fine lines, supports skin barrier, widely used in dermatology and aesthetic procedures

Primary Components:

Sodium hyaluronate (salt form), glycosaminoglycans

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Important to Know

Generally safe; rare irritation possible; injectable forms differ from cosmetic topical use

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Sourcing Tips

Preferred Extraction Method:

Biotechnological fermentation (commonly from Streptococcus or Bacillus species); occasionally animal-derived (rooster combs)

Prefer fermentation-derived for natural positioning and vegan claims; choose different molecular weights for varied skin benefits (low MW penetrates, high MW hydrates surface)

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More information*

Explore additional safety and regulatory data from trusted external sources:

Cosmetics Info
Cosmetic Ingredient Review
EWG's Skin Deep
INCIDecoder
SkinSAFE
SpecialChem

*The ingredient details on this page are intended for general educational use and should not be considered exhaustive. Additional properties, uses, or safety considerations may be available from other sources. Root & Ritual Apothecary is not affiliated with Cosmetics Info, Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), INCIDecoder, SkinSafe, EWG Skin Deep, or SpecialChem. External links are provided solely for informational purposes; Root & Ritual does not control or guarantee the accuracy, methodology, or conclusions of third-party sources, including consumer rating systems such as EWG.