You’re probably used to skincare acids falling into one of two categories: exfoliating acids like mandelic acid, azelaic acid, etc, or hydrating acids like hyaluronic acid. Fulvic acid does something a little different—it helps deliver nutrients and trace minerals to the skin to restore what the skin needs to function well.
Fulvic acid is a naturally occurring compound formed over long periods of time as plants and microorganisms break down in soil. This slow process creates a dark, mineral-rich substance that carries an impressive range of nutrients.
Our fulvic acid is sourced from British Columbia, where the mineral profile reflects the richness of the surrounding soil. Beyond skincare, fulvic acid has a long history of use in traditional systems like Ayurveda, where it has been valued for thousands of years for its restorative and balancing properties. Only more recently has it begun to appear in modern skincare formulations.
In Hydratone, fulvic acid brings deeply supportive restorative benefits to the formula—it powerfully hydrates, calms inflammation, and strengthens compromised barriers while protecting against oxidative stress. All together, this promotes firmer, healthier, and more resilient skin.
Other names: fulvic acid (fulvic acid also often includes humic substances/humic acid)
What is is: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, barrier support
You can find it in: Hydratone
What Makes Fulvic Acid a Great Skincare Ingredient?
Fulvic acid is perhaps best known outside of skincare as a supplement, where it’s valued for its ability to help the body absorb and utilize minerals more effectively. I first learned about fulvic acid while on my healing journey for my osteoporosis, where it played a role in supporting my overall health as I navigated bone density loss. I used it as a supplement long before I realized it’s power as a skincare ingredient.
In topical formulations, fulvic acid brings that same “delivery system” to the skin.
This naturally occurring organic acid is physically extracted from soil and has a low molecular weight and complex structure—and for those who want to skip the chemistry lesson, this basically means fulvic acid can move efficiently across the skin’s surface. Because of this, fulvic acid can help deliver beneficial minerals and nutrients where the skin can actually use them.
Fulvic acid also functions as a potent antioxidant, similar in spirit (though different in mechanism) to vitamin C. It helps defend skin against environmental stressors like pollution, smoke, and UV exposure—factors that often show up on the skin as dullness, irritation, and uneven tone and texture.
Fulvic acid defends the skin and helps more effectively deliver nutrients and minerals to the skin.
One of the most remarkable things about fulvic acid is its mineral content. Naturally occurring mineral fulvic acid (like we use in Hydratone) contains over 70 trace and macro minerals, including zinc, iron, selenium, iodine, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. These minerals don’t just sit on the skin—they help support the processes that keep skin calm, hydrated, and functioning well.
Fulvic Acid Is Full of Skin-Supporting Minerals
Minerals play an essential role in skin health, but they’re often overlooked in skincare. Fulvic acid changes that by acting as a natural carrier, helping deliver minerals where they’re needed to support barrier function, repair, and renewal.
Some of the minerals commonly associated with fulvic acid complexes include:
- Zinc: Helps regulate oil production, supports wound healing, and offers antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Magnesium: Calms irritation, supports barrier function, and helps maintain hydration balance.
- Copper: Supports collagen and elastin structure, contributing to skin firmness and bounce.
Together, these minerals help skin feel supported and protected without going overboard, minimizing the likelihood of fulvic acid triggering any skin sensitivities. In fact, fulvic acid is considered suitable for sensitive skin, and can even be considered a sensitive skin-friendly alternative to vitamin c due to its antioxidant support.
Fulvic Acid Is Soothing, Supportive and Anti-Inflammatory
Fulvic acid has incredible soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits. Research suggests it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities, which can help soothe irritation and calm redness. In fact, in a study done where fulvic acid was tested on those with eczema showed that fulvic acid may help improve symptoms compared to basic moisturizers alone.
On top of this, fulvic acid also helps maintain the skin’s pH and supports the skin’s microbiome, a combination that supports skin barrier function. When your skin barrier is well-cared for, it makes you less likely to have breakouts, irritation, or flare-ups because it stops outside irritants from impacting the skin.
Fulvic Acid Helps Improve Oily Skin and the Appearance of Pores
Fulvic acid isn’t a traditional oil-control ingredient, but it can still play a meaningful role in helping skin feel more balanced.
Excess oil and enlarged pores are often linked to a combination of inflammation, disrupted barrier function, and loss of elasticity—not just oil production alone. Fulvic acid helps address these underlying factors.
Its mineral content—particularly zinc and magnesium—has been associated with supporting healthy sebaceous gland function. Fulvic acid’s role as a transporter can help deliver these minerals where they’re most useful, while its anti-inflammatory properties help calm the skin around pores.
By reducing inflammation, supporting collagen structure, and helping normalize oil balance, fulvic acid may indirectly improve the appearance of pores. Skin looks clearer, calmer, and more refined—not because pores are being “tightened,” but because the surrounding skin is healthier and more balanced.
Fulvic Acid Has Pro-Aging Antioxidant Properties
Fulvic acid is considered pro-aging not because it promises dramatic transformation, but because it helps protect skin from the kinds of damage that accelerate visible aging—after all, aging better is about skin longevity.
As an antioxidant, fulvic acid helps neutralize free radicals—unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and environmental stress. In laboratory studies, fulvic acid has demonstrated the ability to scavenge free radicals… aka, your skin remains protected from damage that can leave to a loss of skin firmness, elasticity, brightness, evenness, and more.
By helping limit oxidative stress, fulvic acid supports:
- Barrier integrity
- More even tone
- Reduced inflammation
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Protection against premature collagen and elastin breakdown
Rather than pushing the skin to change, fulvic acid helps preserve what the skin already has—supporting longevity, comfort, and resilience over time.
Who Is Fulvic Acid Good For?
Fulvic acid, since it is so deeply supportive while being generally considered safe for sensitive skin (though patch testing is and always will be recommended by us at Graydon Skincare!), truly is a wonderful ingredient that is suitable for all skin types!
It’s a great option for sensitive or reactive skin, particularly when redness, irritation, or inflammatory conditions are part of the picture. Its soothing and anti-inflammatory nature helps skin feel calmer and more comfortable over time.
For dry or barrier-compromised skin, fulvic acid helps restore nutrients and support hydration (mineral hydration is underrated, in my opinion!), making it easier for skin to retain moisture and recover from stress.
Those with mature or aging skin may appreciate fulvic acid’s antioxidant activity and mineral support, which help protect collagen and elastin while strengthening the skin overall—without relying on aggressive actives.
And for oily, congested, or acne-prone skin, fulvic acid offers a balancing approach. It indirectly helps support clearer skin while avoiding the over-drying effects that can trigger more oil production.
In many ways, fulvic acid is a multitasker that shines brightest when skin feels out of balance.
Fulvic Acid in Hydratone
You’ll find fulvic acid in Hydratone, our hydrating, exfoliating essence designed to support smooth, refined, supported, and well-balanced skin.
Curious what Hydratone can do? This daily essence:
- Exfoliates to visibly improve the appearance of uneven skin tone and fine lines with gluconolactone (PHA) and mandelic acid (AHA)
- Hydrates skin with mineral-rich fulvic acid and maple sap water
- Tones skin and improves the appearance of enlarged pores
In Summary
Fulvic acid is a mineral-rich, skin-supportive ingredient that helps bring balance back to the skin. Fulvic acid:
- Delivers over 70 trace minerals to support skin function
- Soothes inflammation and supports sensitive or reactive skin
- Offers antioxidant protection against environmental stressors
- Helps support barrier health, hydration, and resilience
- May indirectly improve oil balance and the appearance of pores
- Not a quick-fix treatment, but a long-term support system for skin
- Can be found in Hydratone, a 3-in-1 toning, exfoliating, and hydrating essence
P.S. We also talk about fulvic acid in our Ingredient Directory. See all the ingredients here, or go straight to our page on fulvic acid here.