Updated March 10th, 2025 – There’s a lot of confusion around buzzwords like Hydraluxe, used to describe technologies embedded in your contacts (in this case from Acuvue). A lot of the available resources online don’t go far enough to explain what it’s for, why it’s important, how it compares to other materials such as Etafilcon A lenses, and even basic medical terms that industry insiders tend to take for granted. If you’re curious about HydraLuxe, which could be found in your next pair of contact lenses, read on.
What Is Hydraluxe?
Hydraluxe is a contact lens-based technology developed by Acuvue (manufactured by Johnson & Johnson) and found in their Acuvue Oasys daily disposable line of contacts, specifically: Acuvue Oasys 1-Day, and Acuvue Oasys 1-Day for Astigmatism. It was introduced in 2016 and sits alongside other similar technologies found in earlier launched contacts like 1-Day Acuvue Moist that features Lacreon. It’s a heavily marketed feature by the brand, even figuring into the contact lens name itself and packaging, ie “Acuvue Oasys 1-Day w/Hydraluxe.”
Hydraluxe consists of 2 components:
- A wetting agent that hydrates the eye and reduces friction and discomfort
- A specially designed material infused with this agent, not just at the lens surface but throughout the material (think of a sponge), allowing it to be released throughout the course of a day
Other silicone hydrogel contact lenses may use different wetting agents, surface treatments, or water-gradient designs to address similar concerns. HydraLuxe is ACUVUE’s approach, combining breathable Senofilcon A material with an integrated wetting agent intended to work with your natural tears.
Why Is Hydraluxe Needed?
There are a couple of forces driving the development of technology like Hydraluxe and others. The 1st are expectations from contact lens wearers to see continual improvement in the issues they face while wearing contacts, including dry eyes and other ailments. The other is competitive pressure from other manufacturers attempting to do the same, in an environment where large improvements in materials and design are hard to come by.
On the performance requirement side, Johnson & Johnson claims that 6 out of 10 wearers of daily contacts experience a decline in performance over the course of a day. The drivers of this decline include dealing with multiple activities and switching between environments throughout the day (use of digital devices, commuting, exercising, and family time in a single day). Wearers of this group consistently report ‘tired eyes’ from this challenging environment.
One of the root causes of this ‘tiredness’ is the need to support eye hydration, so manufacturers use agents embedded in the lens that supplement what your eye naturally provides (in the form of a tear film), with an additional wetting agent (in this case, Polyvinylpyrrolidone). What is a tear film? A gel-like substance consisting of mucins (a protein your body produces to protect and lubricate, in the case of your eyes) that covers your cornea under normal conditions but may become unstable in the presence of contact lenses, hence the need for an external agent like Hydraluxe.
The other reason for the inclusion of Hydraluxe is down to marketing. We’re not referring to the technology itself but to its branding and promotion. In a sometimes crowded marketplace where product differentiation is difficult because materials and technologies are so similar, companies are forced to further differentiate themselves with unique names and branding.
This is not a cynical take, nor is this phenomenon exclusive to this brand, but it’s a reality of an industry that’s fairly mature already. Computer chips get faster every year but contact lenses don’t always get more comfortable with each passing year. It’s a much more stable industry. Calling out ‘Hydraluxe’ may help consumers identify and understand differences between brands.
How Does It Compare to Other Contact Lens Technologies?
Similar Wetting Agent
Hydraluxe, like Acuvue’s other contact lens technologies—Lacreon and Hydraclear—relies on the same wetting agent, Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). This FDA-approved agent works by mimicking the eye’s natural tear film, helping to keep your eyes hydrated and reducing dryness throughout the day.
The use of PVP across these technologies shows that Acuvue has refined this approach over time, using it as a core solution for providing long-lasting moisture and comfort for contact lens wearers.
Infusion into Lens Material
One of the main distinctions of Hydraluxe compared to other technologies is how the wetting agent is integrated into the lens material. While both Lacreon and Hydraclear also infuse moisture into the lens, Hydraluxe is designed to better distribute the wetting agent throughout the entire lens structure.
This infusion mimics the natural tear film more effectively, making sure the lens remains hydrated from the moment you put it in until you take it out. By distributing the wetting agent more evenly, Hydraluxe provides a stable and consistent hydration experience.
Different Lens Materials
Hydraluxe stands apart from Lacreon and Hydraclear in the materials used for the lenses. Hydraluxe technology is embedded into Acuvue Oasys lenses, which are made from silicone hydrogel, a material that offers significantly greater breathability than traditional hydrogel lenses. This increased oxygen flow helps maintain eye health and comfort, especially during long periods of wear.
In contrast, Lacreon is used in Acuvue’s 1-Day Moist lenses, which are made from hydrogel, a material known for its moisture retention but with less breathability than silicone hydrogel. This difference in materials means Hydraluxe may be more suitable for those looking for enhanced comfort over long hours of lens wear.
Focus on Daily Disposable Lenses
Unlike Hydraclear, which is used in Acuvue Oasys lenses that can be worn as either daily or extended wear lenses, Hydraluxe is specifically designed for Acuvue’s daily disposable contact lenses. This technology is featured in Acuvue Oasys 1-Day and Acuvue Oasys 1-Day for Astigmatism.
For those looking for a similar daily lens with advanced hydration technology, 1 Day Acuvue TruEye with Hydraclear is another great option. It is designed to maintain moisture and reduce dryness, providing you with a breathable and comfortable experience throughout the day.
Through this initiative, Hydraluxe caters to those who prioritize convenience, eye health, and hygiene. For people who prefer to start each day with a fresh, clean pair of lenses and eliminate the need for cleaning solutions, Hydraluxe is a perfect choice, offering all-day hydration and comfort.
Marketing and Differentiation
While Hydraluxe shares similarities with other Acuvue technologies, its branding is a significant point of differentiation. Nowadays, many products use similar materials and technologies, making it difficult for consumers to discern which is best for them. By giving the technology a distinct name, Acuvue helps consumers quickly recognize the benefits of Hydraluxe lenses.
This branding serves not only to highlight its advanced hydration capabilities but also to position Hydraluxe as a premium option among contact lenses, providing an easy-to-understand choice for consumers seeking superior comfort and performance.
Our Take at Lens.com
We sell the complete line of Acuvue contacts, including those that use Hydraluxe and find they are very popular, highly rated lenses with our customers. Acuvue Oasys 1-Day w/Hydraluxe is #8 on our top 10 contacts of 2021 and boasts an average user rating of 8.6 out of 10. We find that our customers love many of Acuvue’s contacts as this family of lenses claims 5 slots out of 10 in our top-10 list.
In truth, popularity doesn’t mean everything, and competing lenses have similar technologies that they also heavily promote. We believe Hydraluxe is the real deal but it’s only one of a number of factors (like material type, water content, and breathability) that you and your ECP should consider in finding what’s the best lens for your situation.
Summary Graphics: What is Hydraluxe?
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