N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine (NAG) is an amino sugar and a derivative of D-glucosamine. In cosmetics, it is primarily used as a skin-conditioning, moisturizing, brightening, and anti-aging ingredient. It is also a building block associated with naturally occurring glycosaminoglycans, including hyaluronic acid. NAG can be incorporated into brightening serums, anti-aging serums, moisturizers, eye creams, toners, essences, facial masks, dark-spot products, hydrating products, and lotions.
Common Name: N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine / NAG
INCI Name: Acetyl Glucosamine
CAS No.: 7512-17-6
Molecular Formula: C₈H₁₅NO₆
Molecular Weight: 221.21 g/mol
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder
Solubility: Soluble in water
Uses & Benefits in Cosmetics
Skin Brightening: Helps improve the appearance of uneven skin tone and dark spots
Hydration: Supports skin moisture and conditioning
Anti-Aging Care: Helps improve the appearance of fine lines and overall skin texture
Smoother Skin: Helps promote a softer, smoother-looking complexion
Barrier Support: Useful in formulas designed to support healthy-looking, hydrated skin
Hyaluronic Acid Support: NAG is a structural component related to hyaluronic acid
Uneven Pigmentation: Often incorporated into brightening and tone-correcting products
Especially Useful With Niacinamide
N-Acetyl Glucosamine + Niacinamide is a popular combination for formulations targeting uneven skin tone, dark spots, hydration, and overall skin appearance. For example, a facial serum could contain approximately 2% N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine + 4–5% Niacinamide, depending on the overall formulation and supplier recommendations.
A common formulation range is approximately 1–5%, although the appropriate maximum should be based on the supplier's technical specifications for the particular grade.
Formulation
Because NAG is water soluble, it can generally be incorporated into the water phase. For heat-sensitive formulations, adding it during cool-down is a practical approach.
For a 1 kg serum, for example:
2% NAG = 20 g N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine Powder
It is particularly well suited to a brightening/hydrating serum with Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Betaine, and Polyglutamic Acid.
