Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is the sodium salt of a hyaluronic-acid polymer crosslinked with vinyl sulfone. It sits in a family of six related crosspolymers that differ mainly by which crosslinker was used.[1]

What it does

In formulas it is listed as a skin-conditioning agent and humectant: the crosslinked network holds water and can thicken or film-form more stubbornly than linear sodium hyaluronate salts.[1] Related entries cover Crosspolymer-2 through Crosspolymer-7 (different crosslinkers such as diglycidyl ether, BDDE, or PEGDE).

The evidence

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety posted a Draft Report on 11 September 2026 for its October meeting — the first Panel look at this family. Linear hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate were previously judged safe in present practices of use; that conclusion does not automatically transfer to the crosslinked grades because residual monomers and crosslinkers can behave differently from the finished polymer.[1] Concentration-of-use data were reported for Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer (up to about 0.95% in foundations and leave-on face and neck products), but not for the other five crosspolymers in the Council survey.[1] A human repeated-insult patch test summary on a serum with 0.948% Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer was also filed.[1] The draft conclusion is still “to be determined.”

How to use it

Expect it in moisturisers, serums, and makeup as a supporting humectant rather than a headline active. Until the Panel issues a tentative or final conclusion, treat evidence for routine cosmetic claims as emerging rather than settled.