Approaching Chemistry: Is Sodium Hyaluronate the Same as Hyaluronic Acid?

Sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid are two common ingredients, often found in cosmetics, skin care products and medical fields. Many people may be confused about them, thinking that they are the same substance. But in fact, there are some differences in chemical structure, properties and applications. This article will analyze the differences between sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid in detail to help you better understand their differences.

Hyaluronic acid basic introduction

Hyaluronic acid (Hyaluronic acid, referred to as HA) is a kind of naturally occurring polysaccharides, belonging to the linear polysaccharide, consisting of glucuronic acid and N-acetyl glucosamine alternately linked. Hyaluronic acid is widely found in joint fluid, skin, eyes and other parts of the human body, with excellent moisturizing, lubricating and repairing functions. It is an important biological macromolecule, commonly used in medical, beauty and food fields.

The properties of hyaluronic acid make it an ideal moisturizer. Its molecular structure has a strong hydrophilic, can form a network structure, lock water, so as to play a role in moisturizing. Hyaluronic acid also has good biocompatibility and does not cause allergies or rejection, so it has been widely used in the medical field.

Sodium Hyaluronate Definition and Characteristics

Sodium hyaluronate (sodium Hyaluronate) is the sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is formed by combining hyaluronic acid with sodium ions. The molecular structure of sodium hyaluronate is similar to that of hyaluronic acid, but its solubility and stability are changed due to the presence of sodium ions.

The most important feature of sodium hyaluronate is its better solubility in water. Due to the introduction of sodium ions, the dispersibility and stability of sodium hyaluronate in water have been improved, so it is easier to formulate and use in practical applications. This property of sodium hyaluronate makes it more widely used in the field of skin care products and food.

Sodium Hyaluronate and Hyaluronic Acid Main Differences

1. solubility and stability Hyaluronic acid has poor solubility in water, and tends to form a gel-like substance particularly at a high concentration. Sodium hyaluronate due to the neutralization of sodium ions, the solubility is significantly improved, in water can form a uniform solution. This difference makes sodium hyaluronate more convenient in practical applications, especially in scenarios where rapid dissolution and dispensing is required.

2. Molecular Weight and Viscosity The molecular weight of sodium hyaluronate is generally lower than that of hyaluronic acid because some of the carboxyl groups in the structure of sodium hyaluronate are neutralized, resulting in weakened interactions between the molecular chains. Therefore, the viscosity of sodium hyaluronate is relatively low and the solution is thinner, but it still maintains good moisturizing properties.

3. Application Scenarios Hyaluronic acid is widely used in medical fields such as joint lubrication, wound healing and plastic surgery. Sodium hyaluronate, on the other hand, is more used in skin care, food and cosmetics, especially in products that require rapid dissolution and ease of deployment.

How to choose suitable ingredients

When choosing hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate, it needs to be determined according to the specific application requirements. If high viscosity and high moisturizing properties are required, hyaluronic acid may be a better choice, while sodium hyaluronate is more suitable if fast dissolution and easy formulation are required. Sodium hyaluronate has better stability and is suitable for use in scenarios that require higher environmental conditions.

Summary

Although sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid are similar in molecular structure, there are significant differences in solubility, stability and application fields due to the presence of sodium ions. Sodium hyaluronate has better solubility and is suitable for scenarios that require rapid deployment and dilution, while hyaluronic acid occupies an important position in the medical field due to its high viscosity and excellent moisturizing properties. Understanding the characteristics and differences between the two can help us make more appropriate choices in practical applications.