The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum.

Serums

About this product

A lightweight hydrating face serum from The INKEY List, formulated with polyglutamic acid and glycerin to draw moisture into the skin and support a plumper, more hydrated look.

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

Guru Score

82%

Yay

5 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

A hydrating film that never turns sticky is what wins over the gurus who reviewed this 3% polyglutamic acid serum, and it doubles as a sealant that locks in the essences and serums layered underneath. It's lightweight, fragrance-free and suited to all skin types, and it plumps too. Gurus suggest smoothing it on damp skin after cleansing, with moisturizer on top.

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

SerumsDrops & dropper

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Sephora → Ulta → Amazon → Google →

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

What the experts use it for.

The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

Skin barrier support1 expert

“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.”

Dr Dray, watch at 3:02

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

Sincerely Miss Ash

196k subs

✓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

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"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."

No BS Beauty

89k subs

✓Yay

"The closest one to it was the INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum, but this one's a little bit more affordable than that."

Dr. Somji Skin

361k subs

✓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."

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

✓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

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"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."

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Dr. Jenny Liu

324k subs

✓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."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Frequently asked.

What is The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum?

A lightweight hydrating face serum from The INKEY List, formulated with polyglutamic acid and glycerin to draw moisture into the skin and support a plumper, more hydrated look.

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.