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Accelerated by the demand for online advice throughout the pandemic, there's been a huge shift in how we consume beauty of late. Forget in-store counters, IRL advice and age-old skin lessons passed down from your mothers: for better and for worst, a lot of your beauty intel likely now comes from an altogether different source: TikTok.

Yes, the world's favourite video platform has become a go-to destination to discover make-up how-tos, viral product reviews and every single skin hack imaginable, from 'wet skincare' to 'moisture sandwiching'.

But the latest #skincarehack might just be our favourite (and most practical) one to date. Those who follow TikTok’s every move might have spotted a new skincare-meets-makeup technique that involves mixing your foundation with one of skincare’s buzziest ingredients, polyglutamic acid (the hashtag for this term now has a casual 5 million views on the app).

Video creators like make-up artist @jamiegenevieve and @maxieelise are raving about the transformative results of combining polyglutamic acid–a super hydrator that's four times more moisturising than hyaluronic acid–with your everyday foundation. And if the videos are anything to go by, they're a match made in glow-y skin heaven.

As a general cynic when it comes to TikTok's bountiful skincare hacks, polyglutamic acid has a pretty impressive CV without the weight of a viral hack behind it, so I decided to cast my pre-judgement aside and, in the name of beauty research, see if the TikTok claims stack up.

Chances are you’ve heard all about hyaluronic acid–the famous hydrator with the best publicist in town–but new to the scene polyglutamic acid is perhaps even more powerful when it comes to keeping skin moisturised.

Don't believe us? For starters, polyglutamic acid is clinically proven to lock in moisture four times more effectively than its hydrating counterpart, says Mark Curry, co-founder of The INKEY List and skin expert, and it doesn't stop there.

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‘Polyglutamic acid is a peptide (a long chain of amino acids) that is naturally found in skin cells and acts as a moisturising agent by locking moisture in,’ Curry continues. ‘PGA acts to lock water into the layers of our skin, which allows our skin to retain water in the dermis to help with hydration and plumpness.’

Like HA, this is a ‘universal happy chemical’, so regardless of your age, gender, race or skin concerns, it's very likely that everyone can reap the benefits of this ingredient.

TikTok’s skincare and make-up obsessives are marvelling over this power couple, but what do the experts say? ‘Polyglutamic acid is a powerhouse humectant that not only puts the water in the skin, but keeps it there as well,’ says Dr Kemi Fabusiwa (@dr.fab), skin expert, aesthetician and junior doctor.

‘By increasing the water content of the epidermis, it allows your liquid foundation to glide onto your skin better allowing for a more dewy finish. As well as this, its ability to plump the skin and boost elasticity makes it the perfect partner to add to your foundation.’

Colette Laxton, co-founder of ingredient-led budget beauty brand INKEY List, agrees: ‘PGA acts as the most incredible plumping moisture barrier and is specifically designed to enhance skin moisturisation on the surface. The lightweight silky texture creates a perfect make-up canvas. I use this pumped into my foundation for an extra dewy finish.’

‘Pump out both your foundation and a few drops of your PGA onto a clean, sanitised surface such as the back of your hand,’ says Dr Fab. ‘Mix together and apply to clean, moisturised skin.’

And how does it slot into the rest of your routine, you ask? ‘Since polyglutamic acid is lightweight and non-irritating [it] will work nicely in conjunction with your foundation and the other elements of your skincare routine without the worry that it is sensitising your skin or clogging your pores,’ Dr Fab confirms.

Dr Fab does advise against mixing polyglutamic acid directly into your bottle of foundation though, as this may destabilise or change the consistency of your foundation rendering it less effective in the future.

Since the dawn of WFH life and virtual meetings, my days of wearing foundation are minimal. So when I do decide to apply base make-up, usually on my office days, I’m looking for a glow-y, lightweight finish and a foundation that doesn't cake, pill or feel tight on my skin (I don’t ask for much).

That's why I decided a busy day in the office was prime time to put this hack to the test. Firstly, to see if I could create a speedy glow at home and, more importantly, one that lasts under the bright strip lighting, central heating and stressful commute.

Just like Dr Kemi advised, after adding my daily serum, moisturiser and SPF, I applied a few drops of my liquid foundation (I’m using the new The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation, which offers a lovely lightweight finish) and INKEY's Polyglutamic Acid onto my hand, mixing them together before applying directly onto my skin using my fingers.

I thought that the two formulas might end up separating or pilling when applied on my skin but, in fact, they worked together like a dream. So much so, I simply followed up with some bronzer; my skin looked instantly plumped and dewy with signs of a little glow, and all without the hand of a highlighter or cream blusher.

And looks aside, my skin actually felt less dry during the day, too.

I will say that if you have oily skin, it’s best to use a setting spray or powder to mattify any oilyness that builds up during the day as I did notice a slight sheen gather around my nose and T-zone come 2 pm.

All in all, if you love a plumped-up, no makeup-up make-up look and you’re lazy when it comes to applying your base products, I would really recommend giving this hack a go. It’s a quick, guaranteed glow boost and, better yet, it kept my skin feeling hydrated and nourished which is a major plus peak-winter.