Common Name(s): Sodium heparosan,sodium heparosan,heparin precursor polysaccharide,non-anticoagulant gag humectant
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides ha-equivalent 1,000× water retention and dermal matrix conditioning from the glcua-glcnac gag backbone, delivers anti-inflammatory activity from gag-growth factor binding modulation, and offers the safety advantages of non-anticoagulant heparin precursor versus sulfated heparin.
Why It's Used: Heparosan provides the cosmetic benefits of heparin (wound healing, anti-inflammatory, moisture retention) without anticoagulant risk — the sulfation-free backbone retaining the gag's skin conditioning while eliminating the bleeding risk of medical heparin.
How It Works: Heparosan (glcua-α1,4-glcnac-β1,4 disaccharide repeat) is structurally analogous to hyaluronic acid with n-acetylglucosamine instead of n-acetylgalactosamine. the polyanionic carboxylate backbone provides 1,000× water retention (donnan osmotic pressure). produced by e. coli k5 fermentation providing consistent high-mw polymer (50-500 kda).
Typically Found In: Anti-aging hydration,wound care,sensitive skin
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – humectant
Secondary Functions: Moisture retention,hydration
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–3%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived or fermentation-produced.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for sensitive skin.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,barrier actives
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Heparosan from bacterial fermentation provides pharmaceutical consistency advantage over animal-derived heparin — no bse/tse risk, consistent mw distribution, no anticoagulant activity requiring safety assessment, and fully documented production process.
Last Verified: 2026-03-22
Primary Sources: Cosing database,sodium heparosan non-anticoagulant gag humectant review