According to  dermatologists, sodium hyaluronate is a water-soluble salt that's derived from hyaluronic acid, which can be found naturally in the body. Like hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate is incredibly hydrating, but this form can penetrate deeper into the skin and is more stable (meaning it will last longer) in cosmetic formulation. Weinstein describes sodium hyaluronate as a fiber- or cream-like powder, which can be found in moisturizers and serums As a humectant, sodium hyaluronate works by pulling in moisture from the environment and the underlying layers of your skin into the epidermis. As Weinstein puts it, sodium hyaluronate "serves as a water reservoir in the skin, helping it to regulate the moisture content."