On September 5, the final round of the 2026 SUPER Ingredient Awards concluded successfully. Lysine Hyaluronate (Lys-HA), independently developed by Focusfreda, stood out among a strong field of competing ingredients for its outstanding innovation and application value. It was named one of the Top 10 Ingredients, making it one of the most closely watched innovations in this year's program. The honor once again demonstrates Focusfreda's strength in hyaluronic acid ingredient innovation.
Organized by the China International Beauty Expo (CIBE) and co-organized by the Guangdong Beauty, Hairdressing and Cosmetics Industry Association, the SUPER Ingredient Awards is a highly authoritative and influential professional program in China's cosmetic ingredient sector. The competition lasted five months, with 35 ingredients advancing through the preliminary and semifinal rounds to compete in the final. During the two-day final, each shortlisted ingredient was presented to a multidisciplinary judging panel comprising academic experts from universities, leading skincare brands, major global ingredient suppliers, and skincare science communicators with audiences in the millions. Backed by robust research data and a clear application rationale, Focusfreda's Lysine Hyaluronate earned strong recognition from the judges.
A Classic, Reimagined
Innovative Hyaluronic Acid for Dual Hydration and Barrier Repair
Building on Freda's decades of expertise and research platform in hyaluronic acid, Focusfreda combined lysine — an essential amino acid naturally found in the skin — with hyaluronic acid at the molecular level to develop a new-generation “smart hyaluronic acid”: Lysine Hyaluronate.
The ingredient retains the excellent moisturizing properties of hyaluronic acid while also supporting skin barrier repair. It also shows markedly improved resistance to hyaluronidase degradation, allowing its effects on the skin to last longer.
Long-Lasting Hydration
Supporting the Full Moisture Pathway: Generate, Transport, and Lock In Water
1. Generate Water — Activate the Skin's Natural Moisturizing Capacity
Tests using an in vitro 3D epidermal model showed that 0.06% Lysine Hyaluronate significantly increased the levels of the natural moisturizing factors PCA by 211.01% and UCA by 84.48%, helping activate the skin's endogenous moisturizing capacity.
2. Transport Water — Improve Epidermal Water Movement
Lysine Hyaluronate significantly increased the expression of aquaporin-3 (AQP3), helping open pathways for water transport through the epidermis, accelerate moisture delivery, and improve epidermal hydration.
3. Lock In Water — Reduce Transepidermal Water Loss
At a concentration of 0.06%, Lysine Hyaluronate increased Caspase-14 protein expression by 96.88%. This helps organize the structure of the stratum corneum, effectively reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and retain moisture in the skin.
Human Study — Sustained Hydration Over 28 Days
In a 28-day split-face study, the side treated with a sample containing 0.1% Lysine Hyaluronate showed a 35.43% increase in stratum corneum hydration after 14 days and a 60.35% increase after 28 days, demonstrating significant long-lasting moisturizing performance.
Skin Barrier Repair
Building a Stronger Protective Shield for the Skin
Lysine Hyaluronate at 0.06% increased the expression of two key cornified envelope proteins: loricrin by 104.17% and involucrin by 148.15%. These effects help reinforce the stratum corneum barrier and support the repair of damaged skin.
Ingredient Advantages
Enzyme Resistance, High Safety, and Excellent Compatibility
- Enhanced resistance to enzymatic degradation: Introducing lysine into the hyaluronic acid molecule improves resistance to enzymatic degradation and extends the ingredient's duration of action on the skin.
- Mild and safe: Lysine Hyaluronate retains the mild profile of hyaluronic acid and is supported by a comprehensive safety assessment. Multiple tests found no irritation to the skin or eye area, no sensitization, and no phototoxicity or photosensitivity, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
- Excellent compatibility: With lower conductivity than conventional hyaluronic acid, Lysine Hyaluronate is well suited to ion-sensitive formulations. It also offers excellent compatibility with cationic ingredients such as quaternary ammonium salts and can be used in serums, lotions, creams, masks, and other dosage forms.
Advancing Hyaluronic Acid Innovation
Building on a Classic and Continuing to Break New Ground
As an important player in the hyaluronic acid ingredient sector, Focusfreda has long focused on the research, development, and industrial application of bioactive ingredients. The company has established comprehensive R&D and quality control systems. In recent years, Focusfreda has continued to expand its portfolio of hyaluronic acid and derivative products, helping move innovative ingredients from the laboratory to the market and earning broad industry attention.
The recognition of Lysine Hyaluronate as a SUPER “Top 10 Ingredient” represents strong endorsement from an authoritative industry platform of the company's research capabilities and product competitiveness. It also provides valuable support for the ingredient's future market development and industry partnerships.
Looking ahead, Focusfreda will continue to advance its synthetic biology and hyaluronic acid technology platforms, unlock new value through ingredient innovation, and provide the beauty industry with more safe, effective, and innovative skincare ingredients. Together with industry partners, the company will help drive the next stage of innovation and advancement in China's cosmetic ingredient sector.
