N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine – Vegan

Bioactive Amino Sugar for Advanced Skin Brightening and Hydration

INCI Name: Acetyl Glucosamine

N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine is a high-purity amino sugar that offers multifunctional benefits for advanced skincare formulations. As a fundamental building block of hyaluronic acid, it significantly boosts skin hydration and improves barrier function. It also gently exfoliates and is clinically shown to reduce hyperpigmentation and even skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase glycosylation, making it a powerful ingredient for brightening, anti-aging, and moisturizing products.

Solubility Notes:

Water-soluble. Add to the water phase of your formulation. Stable in a pH range of 5.5–8.0.

Perfect For These Applications

Other cosmetic uses possible—contact us for formulation guidance.

Brightening Serums

Effectively reduces the appearance of dark spots and evens skin tone, especially when formulated with Niacinamide for synergistic results.
Hydrating Toners & Essences

Acts as a precursor to hyaluronic acid, promoting deep cellular hydration and plumping the skin from within.
Anti-Aging Creams

Helps smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by boosting natural hyaluronic acid production and supporting the dermal matrix.
Gentle Exfoliating Treatments

Provides mild, non-acidic exfoliation to normalize cell turnover, revealing smoother, more radiant skin without irritation.
Eye Creams

Safely targets hyperpigmentation and boosts hydration in the delicate eye area to diminish dark circles and fine lines.
Body Lotions & Treatments

Addresses uneven skin tone and texture on the body, promoting a brighter, smoother, and more hydrated appearance.

Performance & Formulation Insights for N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine

How N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine Works

N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine (NAG) is a versatile bioactive that supports skin health through two primary pathways. First, it serves as a direct precursor to hyaluronic acid, a key glycosaminoglycan in the skin’s extracellular matrix. By supplying this essential building block, NAG encourages fibroblasts to synthesize more hyaluronic acid, increasing skin moisture, improving elasticity, and visibly softening fine lines.

Second, NAG is a potent brightening agent. It reduces hyperpigmentation by inhibiting the post-translational glycosylation and maturation of tyrosinase, the critical enzyme in melanin production. With less active tyrosinase, melanogenesis is reduced, helping fade dark spots and promote a more even, luminous tone. Its gentle, non-acidic exfoliating action also helps shed pigmented surface cells, further enhancing radiance without irritation.

Formulation Guidelines

Our N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine is a high-purity white powder that dissolves readily in water for easy incorporation into serums, emulsions, toners, and essences. Add to the water phase of your formulation. It is stable in a pH range of 5.5–8.0, with recommended usage levels of 1–5%.

For enhanced brightening and barrier support, pair NAG with Niacinamide (Vitamin B3); this combination is well-documented for synergistic improvement of hyperpigmentation and skin smoothness. NAG is also compatible with Vitamin C derivatives and retinoids in comprehensive brightening and anti-aging systems.

Key Formulation Benefits

Clinically Proven Brightening: Reduces the look of hyperpigmentation and supports a more even skin tone by downregulating the melanin pathway.
Hyaluronic Acid Precursor: Boosts endogenous hyaluronic acid for superior hydration, plumping, and improved elasticity.
Gentle Exfoliation: Normalizes stratum corneum turnover without the irritation potential of AHAs/BHAs; ideal for sensitive skin.
Synergistic with Niacinamide: Works in powerful combination to enhance brightening outcomes and barrier repair.
Excellent Safety Profile: Well-tolerated across skin types, suitable for leave-on formulations and the delicate eye area.
High Purity & Vegan: Fermentation-derived for a vegan-friendly, high-purity ingredient free from animal sources.

Heading #1
Benefits	Anti-Aging & Anti-Wrinkle, Brightening & Skin Lightening, Dark Spot Reduction, Deep Hydration, Even Skin Tone, Moisturizing & Hydration, Wrinkle Reduction
INCI Name	Acetyl Glucosamine
Usage Rate	1%-5%
Active Type	Amino Acids & Derivatives, N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Solubility	Water-Soluble
Application Area	Body, Eye, Face, Lip, Nail
Physical Form	Powder
Certifications	Cruelty-Free, Vegan

Frequently Asked Questions About N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine – Vegan

The typical usage rate is between 1% and 5%. For hydration and mild exfoliation, 1–2% is effective; for targeted brightening and anti-aging, use 3–5%.

It inhibits the maturation (glycosylation) of tyrosinase, reducing the amount of active enzyme available for melanin synthesis. This decreases melanin production, helping fade dark spots and even skin tone.

Yes. NAG is stable and highly compatible. It is synergistic with Niacinamide and can be formulated with Vitamin C derivatives and retinoids for comprehensive brightening and anti-aging routines.

No. NAG is not an acid. It promotes gentle, non-acidic exfoliation by normalizing natural cell turnover without the low pH or irritation potential associated with AHAs/BHAs.

N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine is stable within pH 5.5 to 8.0, aligning well with most cosmetic systems.

Yes. Our N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine is fermentation-derived and 100% vegan.

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