What are the differences between sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid

In the ingredient list or promotion of skin care products, “hyaluronic acid” and “sodium hyaluronate” are frequently mentioned terms. Many people are puzzled: Do these two names refer to the same thing? The answer is: They are closely related yet not exactly the same.

Two components of the same origin but different natures

Hyaluronic acid, usually abbreviated as HA, is a large-molecule polysaccharide that naturally exists in the human body. It is widely distributed in tissues such as the eyes, synovial fluid of joints, skin and umbilical cord, and is a “natural treasure” of the human body itself. This characteristic derived from the human body gives it a natural advantage in terms of safety. The most well-known ability of hyaluronic acid is its extremely strong water retention – it can absorb about 1,000 times its own weight in water, and thus is internationally recognized as an “ideal natural moisturizing factor”. In addition, it also has excellent lubricity, viscoelasticity, biodegradability and biocompatibility, and plays an important role in physiological processes such as joint lubrication, eye moisture retention and wound healing.

However, hyaluronic acid also has a “pity” : its content in the human body gradually decreases with age. Data shows that the hyaluronic acid content in the skin at the age of 30 is only 65% of that in infancy, and it drops to 25% by the age of 60. This is also one of the important reasons for skin aging, loss of elasticity and luster. For this reason, how to make up for this loss through external supplementation has become an important direction for the scientific research and industrial sectors, and technological innovation is the key to promoting its application.

Sodium hyaluronate is precisely the “derivative” of hyaluronic acid – it is the sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid. The core functional components of both are similar and they both have excellent moisturizing properties, but the structural differences make them quite distinct in performance and application.

Performance difference: The Game between stability and absorption rate

The pH value of hyaluronic acid is between 3 and 5, making it acidic. This results in its poor stability and a more complex production process. Meanwhile, its acidic nature may cause certain irritation, which limits its direct application in products, and thus it is not commonly seen in the market.

Sodium hyaluronate, however, solves these problems: its pH value is close to neutral and it is basically non-irritating, reducing the risk of irritation to sensitive skin. The neutral PH value also enables it to be better compatible with other components.It has stronger stability and a more mature production process. More importantly, it has better permeability and is more easily absorbed by the human body or skin.

After entering the human body, sodium hyaluronate will be reduced to hyaluronic acid, and it is the latter that actually takes effect. It can be understood in a simple way: sodium hyaluronate is the “transporter” or “front representative”, while hyaluronic acid is the “behind-the-scenes worker” – the former is responsible for stably reaching the target location, while the latter completes core tasks such as moisturizing and repairing within the body.

Due to the numerous advantages of sodium hyaluronate, it is widely used in the market. With the development of biotechnology, derivatives such as hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and acetylated hyaluronic acid have emerged in the market now, each with its own distinctive functions. However, whether it is the moisturizing ingredient in cosmetics or the additive in food and health products, the term “hyaluronic acid” that we often see actually mostly refers to sodium hyaluronate. It is precisely for this reason that in practical applications and product contexts, people often simplify the terms, equating “hyaluronic acid” and “sodium hyaluronate”, and HA has become a common abbreviation for both.

Overall, hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate are not exactly the same substance. However, in practical applications, due to the wide use of the latter and people’s habitual naming, the two are often regarded as “one and the same”.

Renew is a professional factory that produces sodium hyaluronate. We have fresh stock of sodium hyaluronate and support free samples. If you have any requirements for sodium hyaluronate raw materials, please feel free to contact us at any time.