Acetyl Glucosamine
AKA “Marine Sweet, GreenNAG, Bio-NAG, N-[(2R, N-((2R, 6-Tetrahydroxy-1-oxohexan-2-yl)acetamide”
Ingredient Facts
Acetyl glucosamine
AKA: Marine Sweet, GreenNAG, Bio-NAG, N-[(2R, N-((2R, 6-Tetrahydroxy-1-oxohexan-2-yl)acetamide
Synthetic · Soothing · EWG: 5
Synthetic
Humectant
Soothing
Skin Conditioner
Clean
Acetyl Glucosamine is a naturally derived ingredient that helps enhance fragrance performance and skin feel in beauty products.
Formula
C8H15NO6
Mol. Weight
221.21
CAS #
10036-64-3
Form
Liquid
State
Solid; [Merck Index] Beige powder; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]
See origin →
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Soothing
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation. Your skin's chill pill — great for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Softens and smooths skin
Provides scent
Traditional Use
This is the chemical name for N-acetylglucosamine (NAG); derived from chitin in shellfish and fungi, it has been used in traditional medicine systems but entered modern skincare in the 1990s for hydration and anti-aging benefits.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
5
CIR
Insufficient
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
all-shades-safe
Dermal Absorption 5%
Concentration Guide
Dermal absorption: 5%. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 832).
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR