Why Sodium Hyaluronate Is Your Moisturizer’s Best Friend

There’s a good chance you are pretty familiar with the popular skin hydrator that is hyaluronic acid — but you might not know much about a similar, but less acknowledged, humectant: sodium hyaluronate.
“Sodium hyaluronate is a salt version of hyaluronic acid. This form tends to be more stable in skincare formulations. It also may better penetrate into the skin,” New York-based dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner explains. While it’s debated which one is “better,” sodium hyaluronate has a lower molecular weight than hyaluronic acid, so it’s more easily absorbed into pores.

Key Benefits

As for key benefits, sodium hyaluronate is a powerhouse at plumping the skin, while providing structure and volume, minimizing wrinkles, and making skin more youthful. It’s great for eczema or severely dry skin types and is also recommended post office procedures to hydrate vulnerable skin.

How It Works

It’s important to note that sodium hyaluronate works best when sealed in with a moisturizer or oil, and doesn’t work so well without it. Why? It needs moisture to function, so when applied to the skin in dry conditions with low humidity, it will pull moisture from wherever it can. If the air isn’t humid enough, it draws moisture from deep in the skin and brings it to the surface of the epidermis, where it evaporates, leaving skin even drier. So if you’re applying it as a serum, you need to follow up with a moisturizing product. Even better, also use it after showering, or washing your face, when your skin is still a little damp.
Now you know how to use it, where to find it! You’ll find the humectant in serums and moisturizers.

Where To Get It

It’s worth keeping in mind that many “hyaluronic acid” serums will contain sodium hyaluronate as the key active ingredient, as the terms are used interchangeably. So while a product might say “hyaluronic acid” on the front of the bottle, if you flip to the back it might say “sodium hyaluronate.” ÉLÉVATIONE™’s Under Eye Bag Cream, Hyaluronic Filler and Ultra-Moisturizing Day Cream are all turbocharged with the ingredient.
The dermatologist quoted in this story is not associated with ÉLÉVATIONE™ and does not endorse it or the products shown.