Camelliaskinensis review for Polyglutamic Acid

💦 This is a hydrating serum meant to be used before moisturizer or makeup application. It contains 3% polyglutamic acid (PGA), a naturally occuring substance in the skin said to hold 4x more water than hyaluronic acid. It “creates a thin breathable film on the surface of the skin that locks in the moisture below while plumping, reducing the appearance of fine lines, brightening, and evening out skin tone.” This also functions as a makeup base. (Sephora description) 💦 I’ve been using this off and on for the past couple of months, as it is a bit of a strange animal to me. 💦 Not sure how to rate this as a hydrating serum because it doesn’t feel hydrating but I do get a lot of plumpness and elasticity, though I have little doubt that comes from the silicones. This doesn’t dry me out, mind, but it doesn’t make me feel particularly hydrated, either. 😅 💦 BUT what I’ve been using it for is a primer, for when I need to go on cam on Zoom and need to put on makeup to look human. It works beautifully as a primer: the effect is identical to the Touch in Sol primer (ie the primer that made me see the need for primer). It’s pore-filling, and makes makeup apply a whole lot better and last longer, too. But again I suspect that’s the silicone and not the PGA.