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Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Also-called-like-this: miniHA
What-it-does: moisturizer/humectant

Details

It's a super small, chemically chopped up version of sodium hyaluronate. Its trade name is miniHA, and its molecular weight is 10 kDa. This counts as really tiny given that "normal" HA has a molecular weight of 0.5-2 million Da.

To be honest, low molecular weight (LMW), and especially this ultra-low molecular weight HA is a controversial ingredient. On the upside, it can penetrate the skin better (though 10kDa still counts as big!) and might be able to moisturize the deeper layers of the skin where normal HA cannot get. Also, according to the manufacturer of miniHA, it has better antioxidant activity than a 1.6MDa version HA and it also has better sun protection and after-sun repair abilities than the higher MW versions. It also works in synergy with higher molecular weight versions, and the combination of 0.1% 1.45MDa-HA + 0.1% 380 kDa-HA + 0.1% miniHA hydrated the skin significantly better than 0.3% 1.45MDa-HA alone.

On the downside, the biological role of LMW-HA in the skin is being a pro-inflammatory signaling agent and there is a study by another manufacturer called Evonik showing that HA versions with smaller than 50kDa molecular weight might be pro-inflammatory when put on the skin. Granted, the study was only done on reconstituted human epidermis, so it might or might not be like this on real human skin. 

If you wanna get confused and read much more about hyaluronic acid and what the different molecular weight versions might or might not do, click here and read our excruciatingly long description

Show me some proof

  • SOFW Journal, 11-2008, M. Farwick, P. Lersch, G. Strutz (Evonik), Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid: Its Effects on Epidermal Gene Expression and Skin Ageing

Products with Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

ONE THING Hyaluronic Acid Complex Unichi Pearls Phyto Calming Essence Eiem Beauty Hydration Booster Serum Eiem Beauty Hydration Booster Serum HydroSkinCare Ha² Serum Le Mieux Tgf-β Booster VIBRANT GLAMOUR Hyaluronic Acid Serum Breylee Hyaluronic Acid Serum Breylee Rose Face Serum Comfort Zone Skin Regimen Ha Booster D'Care Face Up Double S Anti-Aging Serum Earth Rhythm 2% Alpha Arbutin + Hyaluronic Acid - Skin Clarifying Serum Klur Immersion Bloomka Edelweiss + Hyaluronate Hydrating Facial Treatment Essence Bloomka Happy Barrier Melted Moisturizer Clarity Rx Get Balance Probiotic Serum Farsali Quench Moisture Replenishing Serum Hada Labo Koi-Gokujyun Whitening Perfect Gel Le Mieux Essence Toner Mary Allan Moisture Molecules™ - Hyaluronic Serum The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + Ha elf Triple Bounce Serum APIS Eye'fective Complex Eye Serum Acasia Hyaluronic Super Serum Derma E Ultra Hydrating Alkaline Gel Booster Hyaluronic Acid Alkaline Water Dr. Zenovia Skincare Hyaluronic Acid + Peptide Serum Eiem Beauty Natural Sunscreen Future Wise Slug Boost Genuine Namir Ha Plant Extract Moisturising Mask Hello Body 2% Hyaluron Booster Long 4 lashes Eyelash Serum Long 4 lashes by oceanic Eyebrow Serum Mesoestetic Ha Densimatrix Multi-Molecular Concentrate Missha Glow Tension Cushion Natics C Booster Face Mist Natics Youth Matte NIA 5 Niacinamide Mist NeoCutis Hyalis+ Intensive Hydrating Serum Olival Hijaluron Hidrator 4H REPLENIX Pure Hydration Hyaluronic Acid Serum Sesderma Sesmahal Hyaluronic Intensive Hydration Serum + Mist THE LAB by blanc doux Oligo Hyaluronic Acid Relief Sheet Mask VT Cosmetics Super Hyalon 7 Days Mask Zakka Naturals Kintsugi B5 Intense Ampoule Zakka Naturals Super Hyaluronic Serum dermistry⁺ Intensive Hydrating Concentrate liftandroll Hyaluron Intense Bliss Drench & Quench All-day Moisture Serum Chasin' Rabbits Aloe U Vera Much Soothing Gel Cosmetic Plant Fiola Cu 6% Acid Hialuronic 4d, 1 X Derma E Hydrating Alkaline Cloud Cleanser