Dissolving sodium hyaluronic acid is the process of breaking down its molecular structure. Sodium hyaluronate, also referred to as hyaluronic acid or HA for short, is a common viscoelastic substance that can be used in cosmetics and skincare products. It has various functions such as retaining moisture, reducing friction, and promoting skin elasticity. However, sodium hyaluronate can be a challenging raw material to work with because of its high molecular weight and tendency to granulate. In this article, you will learn about how to dissolve sodium Hyaluronic Acid.
What is Sodium Hyaluronate?
Sodium hyaluronate is a high molecular weight oligosaccharide naturally present in the extracellular matrix of connective tissues, i.e. skin, blood vessels and joints. Its molecular weight (MM) is 10x higher than viscosity (BR) and is responsible for the “thickness” of the formulation. The viscosity of hyaluronic acid is determined by measuring the time required for a solution to fall through a column of standardized diameter. The higher the viscosity, the longer it takes for the solution to run through the column. The viscosity of hyaluronic acid is determined by testing the gelling time of a standardized solution at a certain temperature.
Why dissolve sodium hyaluronic acid?
The dissolution of the sodium hyaluronic acid is an important step in the production of skincare products. The viscosity of the sodium hyaluronic acid solution depends on the molecular weight and the solution concentration. When the viscosity is too high and the solution concentration too high, the sodium hyaluronic acid will not be completely dissolved and will, therefore, not be fully available to perform its function in the formulation.
How to dissolve sodium hyaluronic acid?
The first step in the process of dissolving sodium hyaluronic acid is to weigh out the amount needed. Then you need to carefully add the sodium hyaluronic acid to the solvent, usually water. Depending on the molecular weight of the sodium hyaluronic acid, you can either stir or shake the mixture. To avoid a thick, sticky mixture, you should always stir with a low-speed stirrer to avoid foaming and bubbling. It is also important to choose the right stirrer for the amount of sodium hyaluronic acid you are dissolving. The temperature of the solvent should also be taken into account. The solubility of sodium hyaluronic acid is dependent on the temperature of the solvent.
Pro tip: How to decrease the viscosity of dissolved sodium hyaluronic acid?
Since sodium hyaluronic acid is a high molecular weight oligosaccharide, it will have a high viscosity. You can decrease its viscosity by increasing the temperature of the solution. The lower the temperature of the solution, the higher the viscosity. It is also possible to lower the viscosity of the solution by adding a solvent such as water or ethanol to the sodium hyaluronic acid. In this way, you will create more space between the molecules, which will decrease the viscosity.How do we tackle the water crisis?
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3 Tips to avoid a sticky situation when dissolving HA
– Choose the right stirring speed
– To avoid a thick, sticky solution, stir slowly with a low-speed stirrer.
– Use the right solvent
– The solvent should have a similar molecular weight to sodium hyaluronic acid so that it can dissolve it easily.
– Choose the right temperature
– The solution should be above the temperature where it starts to denature.
As you have seen, the dissolution of sodium hyaluronic acid is an important process that can be challenging if the conditions are not correct. It is crucial to carefully weigh out the amount of sodium hyaluronic acid you need, carefully add the sodium hyaluronic acid to the solvent, and stir/shake for the right amount of time. Besides these important factors, you also need to be careful about the temperature of both the sodium hyaluronic acid and the solvent. The temperature of both must be above the temperature where sodium hyaluronic acid starts to denature. If all these conditions are met, you will have successfully dissolved sodium hyaluronic acid and can move on to the next process – filtration!
