"Cosmetic grade hyaluronic acid" refers to hyaluronic acid specifically used in the formulation of cosmetics and personal care products. It is clearly distinguished from pharmaceutical or food grade hyaluronic acid in terms of purity, molecular weight range, production process standards and final use.

I.Core ingredient: hyaluronic acid

• Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan (mucopolysaccharide) naturally present in human skin, joints, eyes and other tissues.

• It has a strong ability to absorb and retain water. In theory, it can bind 1,000 times its own weight in water. It is a recognized natural and efficient moisturizing factor.

II.The core meaning of "cosmetic grade":

1.High purity: Cosmetic grade HA undergoes a rigorous purification process to remove impurities that may remain during the production process (such as proteins, nucleic acids, endotoxins, etc.). This is the key to ensuring its safety when used on the skin surface to avoid irritation or allergic reactions.

2.Specific molecular weight range: This is one of the most important characteristics of cosmetic grade HA:

• High molecular weight hyaluronic acid: The molecular weight is usually above 1 million Daltons. It mainly forms a breathable, smooth moisturizing film on the surface of the skin, locking in moisture, providing instant moisturizing and smooth touch, and has a certain physical barrier effect. It cannot penetrate into the deep skin.

• Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid: The molecular weight range is usually tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of Daltons. The smaller molecules enable it to penetrate deeper into the skin (epidermis), replenishing water from the inside, promoting collagen synthesis, improving skin elasticity and radiance, etc. Some ultra-low molecular weight HAs even claim to reach the dermis.

• HAs of different molecular weights are often added to cosmetic formulas at the same time: to achieve the synergistic effect of "surface moisture lock + deep moisture replenishment + repair promotion".

3.Safety standards: Cosmetic-grade HA must comply with safety regulations for cosmetic raw materials (such as China's "Cosmetic Safety Technical Specifications", the European Union's EC 1223/2009, and the United States' FDA-related guidelines, etc.). It needs to pass safety assessments such as skin irritation tests, allergy tests, and eye irritation tests to ensure that it is safe for use on the skin and mucous membranes (such as around the eyes).

4.Microbial limit control: Strictly control the content of microorganisms such as bacteria, molds, and yeasts to ensure that the product is not easy to spoil during the shelf life and is safe to use.

5.Stability: It needs to have a certain level of chemical and physical stability, and be able to adapt to the pH range of the cosmetic formula, the processing process (such as heating, homogenization) and storage conditions to ensure that its biological activity and efficacy are maintained during the shelf life of the final product.

III.Main effects (in cosmetics):

• Excellent moisturizing: This is the core effect, which significantly increases the water content of the skin and improves dryness and roughness.

• Improves skin texture: Makes the skin smooth, soft and elastic.

• Soothing and repairing: Helps repair the skin barrier, relieves the tightness and discomfort caused by dryness, and has a certain soothing effect on sensitive skin.

• Improves radiance: Moisturized skin looks fuller and more radiant.

• Reduces fine lines: Through strong hydration, epidermal cells can be temporarily filled, making fine lines and dry lines look less obvious (but not permanent wrinkle removal).

• Improves the absorption of subsequent products: A good hydration environment helps the absorption of other active ingredients.

IV.Application forms:

Cosmetic grade hyaluronic acid is widely used in various skin care products and some makeup, commonly found in:

• Essence (most common and usually with high concentration)

• Toner/toner

• Lotion/cream

• Eye cream

• Mask (patch type, smear type)

• Cleansing products (provide a feeling of no tightness after washing)

• Sunscreen

• Primer/foundation (improve fit and moisturizing feeling)

• Shampoo/conditioner (used for hair moisturizing)

V.Differences from pharmaceutical grade and food grade:

• Pharmaceutical grade: The highest purity requirement (especially extremely low endotoxin limit), mainly used for injection (such as medical beauty filling, joint cavity injection), eye drops, wound dressings and other medical purposes, with the most stringent production environment and quality standards.

• Food grade: Used for oral health products, must meet food safety standards, and have requirements for microorganisms, heavy metals, etc., but the purity requirements are usually lower than pharmaceutical grade, and the molecular weight range may also be different, focusing on digestion, absorption and in vivo utilization.

• Cosmetic grade: The core lies in external safety and specific skin efficacy (especially the combination of different molecular weights). Its purity and microbiological standards are between food grade and pharmaceutical grade, but it focuses more on avoiding skin irritation and ensuring stability and efficacy in the formula.