What Does Sodium Hyaluronate Do For Your Skin

Sodium Hyaluronate (HA-NA for short) is the Sodium salt form of Hyaluronic Acid (HA for short, also known as hyaluronic acid). Sodium hyaluronate is a linear polysaccharide that naturally exists in human tissues Due to its excellent moisturizing property, biocompatibility and viscoelasticity, it is widely used in the fields of medicine, cosmetics and food.

The effects of sodium hyaluronate on the skin mainly revolve around its super moisturizing property, barrier repair ability and the differentiated effects brought by different molecular weights. Sodium hyaluronate plays a crucial role in moisturizing skin care products. Let’s take a look at the uses of this product together.

I. Core Function: Long-lasting moisturizing, maintaining skin moisture

This is the most fundamental and crucial function of sodium hyaluronate. Its molecular structure can absorb and lock in moisture like a “sponge” – one molecule of sodium hyaluronate can bind more than 1,000 times its own weight in water, and molecules of different molecular weights will work together at different levels of the skin to form a “multi-layer moisturizing network” :

High molecular weight sodium hyaluronate (1.5 million – 2 million Daltons) : Sodium hyaluronate remains on the surface layer of the skin (the stratum corneum), forming a transparent “moisturizing protective film”, which can not only reduce the evaporation of internal skin moisture (block “transdermal water loss”), but also prevent the irritation of external dust and dry air to the skin. It is especially suitable for dry and sensitive skin to “lock in moisture and resist dryness” in autumn and winter.

Sodium hyaluronate of medium molecular weight (800,000-1.5 million Daltons) : Sodium hyaluronate can penetrate into the superficial dermis of the skin, replenish moisture for keratinocytes, make the skin appear hydrated from the “bottom layer”, improve skin roughness and flaking caused by lack of water, and make the skin texture more delicate.

Low molecular weight/oligo sodium hyaluronate (low molecular weight 100,000-800,000 /< 100,000 Daltons) : It has a stronger penetration ability and can penetrate deep into the dermis. It not only directly hydrates the deep skin but also stimulates the skin’s own fibroblasts to synthesize “endogenous hyaluronic acid”, enhancing the skin’s water retention capacity from the root and achieving a long-lasting moisturizing effect of “external supplementation + internal promotion”.

II. Auxiliary Function 1: Repair the skin barrier and enhance the skin’s tolerance

A healthy skin barrier (mainly the stratum corneum and sebum film) can resist external stimuli and lock in moisture. However, dryness, excessive cleansing (such as frequent exfoliation), and ultraviolet radiation can damage the barrier, leading to sensitive skin, redness, and susceptibility to irritation.

Sodium hyaluronate can repair barriers in two ways:

Replenish moisture to the stratum corneum, making the keratinocytes more closely arranged (dryness can cause keratinocytes to become loose and the barrier to leak), and reduce the invasion of harmful substances from the outside.

Low-molecular-weight sodium hyaluronate can promote the synthesis of “key barrier components” such as ceramides and cholesterol in the stratum corneum, helping to rebuild damaged barriers. It is especially suitable for skin repair in sensitive skin and after medical aesthetics (such as laser and microneedling), alleviating redness and stinging sensations.

III. Auxiliary Effect 2: Improve dry lines and make the skin more elastic and moist

When the skin is dehydrated, it is prone to “dry lines” (different from “static wrinkles” caused by collagen loss, dry lines are mostly temporary and reversible fine lines, commonly seen around the eyes and on the forehead).

Sodium hyaluronate can make dry and contracted skin “full” by hydrating the skin, making dry lines shallower or even disappear. Meanwhile, sodium hyaluronate with medium and high molecular weights can form an “elastic film” on the skin surface. Combined with the skin fullness brought by deep hydration, it makes the skin texture tighter and more elastic, and delays the process of “dry lines developing into static lines”.

IV. Auxiliary Function 3: Regulate skin condition and enhance subsequent skin care absorption

When the skin is in a “hydrated state”, the stratum corneum becomes softer, and the nutrients in subsequent skin care products (such as essence and face cream) are more easily absorbed and penetrated. Conversely, dry skin will hinder absorption due to the “stiffness” of the stratum corneum.

Using products containing sodium hyaluronate (such as toner and moisturizing essence) as a base can first hydrate the skin and soften the stratum corneum, allowing subsequent ingredients (such as vitamin C, retinol, etc.) to function better and avoiding the situation where “skin care products are not absorbed after application”.

Note: Make the effect more effective

Look at the molecular weight combination: The moisturizing range of sodium hyaluronate with a single molecular weight is limited. It is recommended to choose products with a “high + medium + low molecular weight combination”, which can achieve a synergistic effect of “locking in moisture on the surface, hydrating in the middle layer, and promoting growth at the deep level”.

Sensitive skin test: Although sodium hyaluronate has high biocompatibility, some products may contain irritating ingredients such as fragrances and preservatives. For sensitive skin, it is recommended to conduct a local test behind the ear or on the inner side of the wrist before the first use.

When used in combination, it is even better: The moisturizing effect of sodium hyaluronate depends on “environmental moisture”. When used in a dry environment (such as an air-conditioned room), it is recommended to apply lotion/cream (containing blocking ingredients such as ceramide and shark alkane) subsequently to further lock in moisture and prevent sodium hyaluronate from “reverse water loss” by itself.