Remember the heady old day of 2019 when hyaluronic acid was the word on everyone’s lips, it was added into everything and promised to be the answer to all our prayers. Hold up, there’s a new kid on the block. Polyglutamic acid. This new ingredient is made from fermented soya beans (so unlike hyaluronic acid, is always vegan WIN!) and has been rumoured to be five times more hydrating than hyaluronic acid. Dry skin gals unite, dreams do come true!
My skin care routine has stayed pretty consistent for nearly a year, although I’m always open to trying new products and ingredients when I feel they can benefit me in some way. I was treated to a bottle of The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid for Christmas, and the change in my skin literally over night shook me to my very core.
There is slightly conflicting advice regarding how to use this particular ingredient, some saying to use it as your very last step, others saying it needs to be layered in a certain order with other ingredients to get the most out of it. Over the last few weeks I have tried a few different combinations, but the way I used it on the very first application has given me the best results.
I did my whole skincare routine as normal before I applied the polyglutamic acid serum; double cleansed, glycolic aid toner, hyaluronic acid serum, vitamin c serum, gel moisturiser, cream moisturiser and eye cream. I then waited around 10 minutes for all that to sink in well before moving on to the polyglutamic acid. ( I know, I know. Its excessive, I know)
When I first opened the bottle and tried some of the product in my hands, the texture surprised me. I guess I expected it to just look the same as all the hyaluronic acid serums I had been using religiously for years. I squeezed out a pea sized amount as it stated on the bottle, and it looked more like a silicone based makeup primer than a skincare product. It didn’t spread out like a liquid serum, but rather stayed in the perfect dome shape it came out the pump in.
It spread out over my skin beautifully, and the silicone like texture made my skin feel instantly smooth. It is worth noting that there isn’t silicone in the polyglutamic acid, it just has that feeling to it. A pea sized amount was plenty to cover my whole face sufficiently and I just used my fingertips to press it into my skin rather than rub. I followed it up with a facial oil as I had read SOMEWHERE in my search on the interwebs that it needs to be sealed in so the potency of the product can be absorbed best by the skin and not lost into the air.
This combination of products has saved my skin this winter, even with the chilling temperatures outside and the drying conditions of having the heating on constantly in the house. I’m certain this bottle will last me a good amount of time, as I’ve had it nearly two months now and it still feels just as full. Paired with the fact you need the tiniest mount to get the most incredible results. I don’t ever want to be without this serum, and only £12.99 isn’t breaking the bank either.
What’s your skincare saviour this winter?
Enjoy, Milli x
