Ingredient glossary

Crosslinked sodium HA

What Crosslinked sodium HA does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.

INCI: Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer · Also: Crosslinked hyaluronic acid, HA crosspolymer

Worth paying for

In short: Crosslinked sodium HA delivers hydration and barrier support, suits dry and sensitive skin best, and the evidence behind it is strong.

What it does
Hydration, barrier support
Best for
Dry, Sensitive skin
Evidence
Strong
Does it clash with what you use? Check it →

What it actually is

Crosslinked sodium HA: A chain, not a molecule. Built to an average chain length rather than an exact one, so any batch holds a spread around that average instead of a single compound.
There is no single molecule to draw here, and that is the useful part. Which layer things act on

The Glow take

One of the ingredients I trust most.

When your goal is deep, lasting hydration, Crosslinked sodium HA delivers, and the research properly backs it up. It tends to suit dry skin best.

— Maya

What it does

  • hydration
  • barrier support
  • anti aging

strong evidenceTrials of formulas combining the crosspolymer with other hyaluronic acid fractions report better hydration, elasticity and wrinkle scores than placebo. The benefit is hydration driven and belongs to the whole formula, not the crosspolymer alone.

On a label: usually effective at 0.1-0.5%.

Who it's for, and who should skip it

Tends to suit

  • dry
  • dehydrated
  • very dry
  • compromised barrier
  • mature
  • sensitive
  • rosacea

Approach with care

No specific group flagged to avoid it.

  • Irritation riskLow

How it fits each skin type

  • DrySuits
  • CombinationNeutral
  • OilyNeutral
  • SensitiveSuits

Often chosen for compromised barrier, mature, rosacea.

Where it fits in your routine

WhenMorning and evening
Where in the orderOn damp skin, before your moisturizer

Plays well with

Crosslinked sodium HA, answered

Is Crosslinked sodium HA safe during pregnancy?

Yes. Crosslinked sodium HA is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.

Who should avoid Crosslinked sodium HA?

No specific group is flagged to avoid Crosslinked sodium HA. It is well tolerated by most skin. Still, introduce anything new one product at a time.

What concentration of Crosslinked sodium HA actually works?

Crosslinked sodium HA tends to do its job in the 0.1 to 0.5% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.

Does it clog pores?

0/5
Non-comedogenic

No rating published; crosslinked HA is not pore clogging.

  • This rating comes from old lab tests on the isolated ingredient, not the finished product.
  • The full formula, how much is used, and your own skin all matter more than one number.
  • If you are acne-prone it is worth noticing, not a reason to avoid it on sight.

This, for every label you own

One ingredient is easy. A full label is where it gets confusing. The Ingredient Decoder reads any product and tells you the honest truth, ingredient by ingredient.

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Sources & how we reviewed this

Last reviewed July 2026. Educational information about a cosmetic ingredient, not medical advice.