Hyaluronic Acid........ What are its uses?
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a must have skincare ingredient and is produced naturally in our own skin! It is key to plumping fine lines and wrinkles and giving us super dose of hydration. There is an abundance of hyaluronic
out there in everything from serums, masks and even cosmetic injectables. Hyaluronic is so sought after because it holds a thousand times its weight in water. Hyaluronic acid is known as a humectant. A basic role of a humectant is to form hydrogen bonds with molecules of water, which helps keep the skin hydrated
and supple.
Why Do We Use It?
Hyaluronic naturally occurs in our skin so it is well received when use it as a part of our skincare routine. It works to maintain moisture levels and to give us beautiful, smooth, flawless and hydrated skin. Sounds amazing right? Well it is but unfortunately, just like collagen and elastin, the amount of naturally occurring hyaluronic acid in our bodies starts to significantly deplete as we get older. We have the natural ageing process and environmental aggressors to thank for that. When our levels deplete it has a flow on effect to our skin to cause things like dullness, fine lines, sensitivity, uneven tone and texture. Like most skincare products, you are going to see the best results if you use hyaluronic acid regularly. It is best to use your products containing hyaluronic morning and night, followed by a moisturiser to keep everything sealed in.
Who Should Use It?
It will have a positive effect on all skin types. Its moisture boosting properties are simply amazing and even sensitive, oily or breakout-prone skin, can benefit.
How Does It Work?
Hyaluronic acid attracts water like a magnet and can hold 1000 times its own weight in water. Its primary
function is to trap water inside tissue cells. When it is incorporated into creams and serums, hyaluronic acid attracts moisture to the surface of your skin. There are so many options of hyaluronic out there you may ask yourself what should I be looking for on the label? The molecule of hyaluronic is often too large to effectively deliver hydration deep into skin layers so its always great to choose one that
contains high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acids. The varying molecular weights determine how far the hyaluronic will penetrate skin. The smaller the molecule, the further the serum can penetrate skin. This delivers hydration throughout skin’s layers and a will give you a plumping effect. You may also be wondering why is it called an acid if is not an exfoliant? Well its gets its name from the enzyme that synthesises hyaluronic acid called 'hyaluronic acid synthase' It is a complete contrast to glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids, and doesn’t exfoliate skin.
What is the difference between hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronic?
It is a great question and the two names are often swapped. Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid. This form makes it more water soluble, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin. Since it is produced to have a smaller molecular structure, it is also more stable and less vulnerable to harm from
oxidation. This can give the product a longer shelf life. All in all, hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate offer many of the same skincare benefits, it is all about hydrating absorption and retention, plumping, promoting firmness, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in a smooth and radiant complexion.
Speak to one of our therapists about adding this ingredient into your daily skin care!
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