The more common way to turn pure hyaluronic acid into a useful topical is to “extract” its “sodium salt” to get sodium hyaluronate. “Sodium hyaluronate is a derivative of HA — specifically, it’s a salt form of HA,” Robinson clarifies. Sodium hyaluronate has a lower molecular weight than HA and hydrolyzed HA, so it’s more easily absorbed into pores. “Sodium hyaluronate has the ability to penetrate into deeper layers of the skin, and also attracts and binds water,” the cosmetic chemist says. “This effect can plump the skin, thus reducing the look of wrinkles and making skin younger-looking.”
