Keeping track of the latest skincare superstars is so difficult. Once you make a big purchase for a "magic" new product, another product will appear, which is expected to take those old-fashioned things off your bathroom shelf. But in the case of polyglutamic acid (PGA), the hype may really be true.

First of all, if you join the “food as skin care” trend, it may be an interesting ingredient, because PGA is a peptide naturally derived from the bacilli found in natto (also known as Japanese fermented soybeans). "It is produced when multiple types of glutamate are linked together," Seemal R. Desai, a dermatologist and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, told the Huffington Post. "It can be extracted from soybeans or synthesized in the laboratory."

Next, if you want to prepare your skin for the cold and dry winter, you can also consider it. "It is indeed a very powerful moisturizer," said dermatologist Pearl E. Grimes. "It is reported that compared with hyaluronic acid, which usually absorbs 1,000 times its own weight, it can absorb up to 4,000 to 5,000 times its own weight. In recent years, some studies have shown its effectiveness in moisturizing and moisturizing the skin. Some studies have shown that it has the potential to accelerate the skin healing process."

This ingredient has been used to treat the skin for many years. "It is traditionally used for wound healing, but recently it has become more and more popular as a skin care ingredient," dermatologist Heather Woolery-Lloyd told the Huffington Post. Why? this is very simple. "If your skin is thirsty, PGA will quench it," Desai said. "It helps attract and retain moisture and moisture from the skin." Thanks to all these efforts, it can indirectly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by replacing the moisture in the cells," he said.

If the term "sour" is worrying, don't be afraid. "The acid group is not very strong, so the stimulation potential is much lower than you would expect for the ingredient with the word'acid' in the name," said Michel Wang, PhD in chemistry. Founder of Lab Muffin Beauty Science.

Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, or anything in between, PGA may be tolerable for your skin. "It is considered good for all skin types," Desai said. However, if you want to give it a try, he recommends that you first consult your board-certified dermatologist.

Experts say there is never any harm in being careful and starting slowly. "Although it is generally well tolerated, PGA may irritate sensitive skin or cause allergic reactions," Grimes said. "It is important to try a product containing a small amount of PGA on the skin for testing and wait 24 hours to see if there are any adverse reactions."

Recall your product shelf, it is good to know that this product is compatible with other products.

"It can actually be used with hyaluronic acid," said Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. "My suggestion is to apply hyaluronic acid essence first, and then apply polyglutamic acid products on top."

The next step is to prepare the skin for the problem so that it can get the most benefit from the ingredients. "As a powerful humectant, it needs water to function effectively," Grimes said. "It should be applied to clean, damp skin appropriately. If the product you are using does not have an occlusive ingredient, you should seal or lock it, and use an occlusive moisturizing product on top." (Occlusion refers to the purpose of preventing moisture loss The product.)

For many experts, the most effective product is still inconclusive. "It's still relatively new, so I don't have any personal favorites yet," Woolery-Lloyd said. But the experts we interviewed did recommend reading the label carefully before buying. "Check to make sure that the product has been scientifically tested and researched and contains minimal preservatives," Desai said. "Check the ingredient overview to see if PGA is listed, then check the other ingredients to make sure they are also suitable for your skin and your own skin care goals."

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