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Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

What Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is & what it does

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a modified form of hyaluronic acid that acts as a humectant, drawing and holding water in the upper layers of skin. The acetylation makes it more lipophilic than ordinary hyaluronate, so it sits on skin a little longer and resists washing off. In a sunscreen it adds a hydrated, comfortable feel and helps soften the formula.

What is Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate and what does it do in sunscreen?

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a humectant, a modified version of hyaluronic acid. It binds water and holds it in the surface of the skin, which keeps a sunscreen feeling hydrated rather than tight or dry. The acetylated form is a touch more substantive than plain hyaluronate, so it clings to skin slightly longer.

Is Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate safe?

Yes. It is a well-tolerated hydrating ingredient used at low levels in skincare and sunscreens. Hyaluronic acid and its derivatives are among the gentler humectants and rarely cause irritation, making them suitable for most skin types including sensitive skin.

Does Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate clog pores?

Generally no. It is a water-loving humectant rather than an oil or wax, so it is not considered a pore-clogging ingredient. It is widely used in lightweight, gel-style sunscreens precisely because it hydrates without adding heaviness.

What is the difference between Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid?

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid that has been chemically modified by acetylation. That change makes it slightly more oil-compatible and more substantive, so it tends to stay on skin a bit longer and resist rinsing better than ordinary sodium hyaluronate. Both do the same core job of holding water in the skin.

What is Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate on an ingredient list (INCI)?

"Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate" is the INCI name as printed on the label. It is sometimes marketed under names that nod to its longer-lasting hydration, but the INCI form is what appears on the back of the pack. It usually sits in the water-phase part of the list among the other humectants.

Sunscreens with Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

We rate 259 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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