Index / The INKEY List / Polyglutamic Acid Serum
The INKEY List

The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum.

About this product

A hydrating serum featuring polyglutamic acid, designed to draw moisture to the skin and support hydration without a sticky or filmy feel.

Full ingredients

Water (Aqua/​Eau), Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Saccharomyces Ferment, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acrylate/​Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Propanediol, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lauroyl Lysine, Coco-Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbitan Oleate, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethylacrylamide/​Acrylic Acid/​Polystyrene Ethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyglutamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract

More from The INKEY List 49 products · Guru Score 86% →

Guru Score

82%

Yay

5 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

Polyglutamic acid holds onto significantly more water than hyaluronic acid, making this serum a powerful hydrator that creates a protective film on the skin to lock in moisture and smooth texture without heaviness. Gurus praise its versatility, affordable price, fragrance-free formula, and suitability for most skin types and concerns, from dryness to fine lines. For best results, apply to damp skin as the last serum before moisturiser, or layer other products underneath and use it as a hydrating sealant before makeup.
Synthesized from 5 expert reviews · most recent take March 2025

What they liked

  • Hydrating film without stickiness or pilling
  • Fragrance-free and suitable for many skin types
  • Affordable price point

What they flagged

    Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

    Type

    Formula notes

    Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

    Where to buy

    Opens a store search. We may earn from these links.

    Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

    What the gurus are saying.

    Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

    All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
    ✓Yay
    "From my experience with this ingredient specifically it's definitely more hydrating and more plumping on the skin. This product from The INKEY List is actually a serum but it should be used as one of the very last serums in your skincare routine before your moisturizer. You can actually put a few pumps of this into your foundation and apply it to your skin that way if you want to but I see the best results when I apply it within my skincare routine."
    All 3 takes from Sincerely Miss Ash
    MOST UNDERRATED ANTI-AGING INGREDIENTS THAT ACTUALLY WORK | STOP SLEEPING ON THESE HIDDEN GEMS!
    "From my experience with this ingredient specifically it's definitely more hydrating and more plumping on the skin. This product from The INKEY List is actually a serum but it should be used as one of the very last serums in your skincare routine before your moisturizer. You can actually put a few pumps of this into your foundation and apply it to your skin that way if you want to but I see the best results when I apply it within my skincare routine."
    IF I COULD ONLY PICK 1 PRODUCT FROM MY FAVORITE SKINCARE BRANDS | FYI...THIS WAS REALLY HARD!
    "If you love hyaluronic acid, you're going to love this because it's very similar to hyaluronic acid but polyglutamic acid holds on to four times more moisture than hyaluronic acid. If you're looking for a serum that is really hydrating and plumping but also something that acts as a sealant to lock in the hydration from your other serums, essences, and facial mists, then this is great to use every day, twice a day."
    BEST SKINCARE PRODUCTS TO USE UNDER MAKEUP | SERUMS, MOISTURIZERS & SUNSCREEN "AS MAKEUP PRIMERS"
    "The first product that I absolutely love is by The Inkey List and this is the Polyglutamic Acid. I have talked about this many times in the past, this is great just to have in your skincare routine in general, but the reason why I love this one so much is because you can use this multiple ways."
    ✓Yay
    "The closest one to it was the INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum, but this one's a little bit more affordable than that."
    ✓Yay
    "There's a fantastic one from the Inkey List which can is great at attracting water. This is the first thing that you want to put on the skin."
    ✓Yay
    "It can be applied to the skin after cleansing while the skin is still a bit damp, then you can put moisturizer on over it. This is actually a very good product from them. I've used it myself and repurchased it, probably one of my favorites from them. It offers many similar benefits to snail serum but does not involve the snail, and this one is a great one at 3% polyglutamic acid."
    All 2 takes from Dr Dray
    AMAZON PRIME DAY 2023 | Skincare & Beauty DEALS @DrDrayzday
    "Polyglutamic acid it's not only an ingredient that helps to hydrate but it almost soothes and supports barrier recovery by creating a hydrating film on the skin surface without being filmy or sticky. The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Serum is a really great affordable product that's [...] free of fragrance, a skin care product I frequently recommend because it is very versatile and can benefit many different people in terms of issues around skin problems, dryness, and bumpiness."
    Sephora Savings Event 2023 - Skincare Products Worth Buying
    "It can be applied to the skin after cleansing while the skin is still a bit damp, then you can put moisturizer on over it. This is actually a very good product from them. I've used it myself and repurchased it, probably one of my favorites from them. It offers many similar benefits to snail serum but does not involve the snail, and this one is a great one at 3% polyglutamic acid."
    ✓Yay
    "Some argue that polyglutamic acid is four times more potent than hyaluronic acid. It's a great, slightly underrated humectant. This serum contains three percent polyglutamic acid along with glycerin, two wonderful humectants, as well as rice bran extract which has soothing properties, hydrating properties, and even arguably some brightening properties. It's a really wonderfully formulated, lightweight, hydrating serum that is really suitable for all skin types."
    Sponsored

    Frequently asked.

    What is The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum?

    A hydrating serum featuring polyglutamic acid, designed to draw moisture to the skin and support hydration without a sticky or filmy feel.

    Is The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum worth it?

    Yes. All 5 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 82%.

    What is The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum's Guru Score?

    The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum holds a Guru Score of 82%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 5 expert reviewers we have collected.

    Similar products worth a look.

    Other products the same gurus have weighed in on, plus more from this brand and category.

    Compare side by side →

    Spotted something on this page that doesn't look right? Let us know.

    Share this score

    Add this badge to your blog or website. It links back to this page and updates itself when the experts change their minds. Free, no sign-up.

    Then paste it into your site's HTML or embed block.

    This week's top beauty news, in your inbox.

    A weekly read of the takes worth catching up on: the raves, the splits, the ones the gurus won't shut up about. Free, no spam, unsubscribe whenever.

    Subscribe to the digest