Hyaluronic acid (or HA), is the hydrating hero of skincare and a major so called skin booster. It is known for its intensely moisturising properties and if it's not in your skincare routine, her's why you really need it.
Its a naturally occurring sugar in our body that can retain water up to 1000 times its weight. 50% of the HA in human body is found in the skin.
The magic sugar molecule found naturally in the skin, hyaluronic acid helps the skin retain and lock in moisture.
What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?
HA has been dubbed the super-hydrator, moisture booster and all-round must have beauty staple. Hyaluronic acid is all about replenishing moisture in the skin and hair, particularly during the colder months when they’re more prone to dryness. Better still, hyaluronic acid is safe and gentle enough to be used every day as it’s already found in the skin.
So what other benefits does hyaluronic acid have? Not only does it help to reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier, giving it a plump, super-soft and radiant glow, but it’s also renowned for its ability to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
How do I choose a hyaluronic acid cream or serum?
Before you go and grab the first bottle that says hyaluronic acid on it, there are a few things worth knowing:
Not all hyaluronic acids are made equal!. Yes surprisingly the purity, concentration of active ingridients and its molecular weight as well as the pH of the product will have a massive effect on its absorption into the skin.
High molecular weight hyaluronic acid holds at the skin surface and doesn't penetrate the skin very well, however it forms a protective film against transdermal water loss and provides instant plumping.
Low molecular weight molecules penetrate deeper into the skin and stimulate the skin regeneration process and provide longer lasting hydration.
If you’re opting for a serum, these are particularly good as they house a high concentration of hyaluronic acid, Apply your serum onto damp skin after cleansing and finish with your moisturiser to really lock in the hydration.
The brands that we stock in my clinic are all of excellent cosmeceuticals which means they have higher concentration of active ingredients and are tested for safety and efficacy, including Clinicare of Sweden, Dermaceutic of France and Dibi Milano. From serums and moisturisers to overnight masks, we’ve got the hyaluronic heroes that deserve a place in your daily routine.