Hyaluronic Acid: Everything You Need To Know

We like to think of hyaluronic acid as the king of the ingredients found in skincare products. Suitable for all skin types, hyaluronic acid can be used in basically any skincare product, either as the main ingredient or as part of the product formula to support glowing skin.

But how much do you know about this wonderful ingredient?

In this post, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about hyaluronic acid, including how to incorporate it into your anti-ageing skincare routine and which products to use to get the most out of it.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is produced naturally by our bodies. Despite its name “acid”, hyaluronic acid is actually a type of sugar that binds with water to create a substance that looks clear like water, but with a gel-like consistency. Its high viscosity makes it great for keeping tissues lubricated and moist.

That’s why the body uses hyaluronic acid to lubricate joints, as well as to maintain a good balance of moisture in the skin, which is one of the main components for cell growth.

Half of our body’s hyaluronic acid can be found in the skin, mostly within the deeper layers of the dermis. It is thanks to this substance that your skin looks full, healthy and glowing. Lack of hyaluronic acid causes the skin to lose elasticity and dries it out, thus increasing the appearance of wrinkles.

This is why it is so important to maintain high levels of hyaluronic acid, and also why this substance is one of the best skincare ingredients for anti-ageing treatments and products.

Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare Products

So why so many skincare products used hyaluronic acid if it occurs naturally within our system? The truth is that like all the good stuff in our bodies, the amount we produce decreases with age.

It is extremely important to maintain the moisture levels in our skin in order to guarantee good elasticity and a radiant complexion. This is why the more mature your skin gets, the more you should make sure you replenish your level of hyaluronic acid with the help of the right skincare products.

Thanks to its unique ability to bind moisture, hyaluronic acid can be added to skincare products in low doses. For example, a concentration of 1% hyaluronic acid can bind 99% water.

Hyaluronic acid is an extremely mild and non-toxic substance that doesn’t cause any allergic reactions. Most of its production today is synthetic, and there are two main sources of it: plant origins and animal origins.

1. Plant-based HA is extracted from microbial fermentation and – luckily – is the most common way to source it.
2. Animal-based HA is extracted from the red flesh at the top of a rooster’s head, and is most commonly used for supplements and injections.

How Does Hyaluronic Acid Works in Cosmetics

When it comes to cosmetic uses, hyaluronic acid has three main functions:

1. Hydrating and Moisturising. As mentioned, hyaluronic acid main function is to attract water to deliver to the skin’s surface. The way it works is not by creating water, but rather pulling it either from the atmosphere or from deep within the skin to hydrate the outermost layers.

2. Anti-Aging. Skin that is plump and well-hydrated appears to have fewer fine lines and wrinkles, creating the effect of more youthful-looking skin.

3. Healing Skin Injuries. Hyaluronic acid plays a key role in tissue regeneration, specifically in repairing skin affected by scarring, inflammation, burns, lesions, and other wounds.

Hyaluronic acid comes in many forms. The most common variety has a molecular structure that is too large to penetrate the skin’s outer layer. When added to skincare products it works by creating a protective layer that locks in moisture and strengthens the skin’s barrier.

Small molecular HA, on the other hand, can penetrate the space between the skin cells and moisturise from within, filling up the gaps and creating a plumped effect.

The type of molecular form chosen for each skincare product depends on what the product is for and for which skin type.

Finally, due to the different molecular structures and thus which properties it contains, hyaluronic acid can go by many names on cosmetic labels. Some of the most common are:

• Hyaluronic Acid/Hyaluronan: large molecular HA with protecting and softening properties and stays on the surface layers.
• Sodium Hyaluronate: small molecular HA, penetrates the deeper layers and has moisture-locking abilities
• Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer: another small molecular HA, which penetrates deep within the dermis and has long-lasting moisturising effects, smoothing out fine lines and plumping skin from within.

Hyaluronic Acid Serums

Hyaluronic Acid benefits skin on both a surface and deep level, so face serums should be your first go-to products to include in your skincare routine for glowing skin.

Serums are clear, gel-based, or liquid skincare products that are designed to deliver high concentrations of specific active ingredients to the deepest level of the skin. Also, due to the higher concentration, serums typically take a shorter amount of time to see visible results compared to creams and lotions.

If there is one serum Dr Nina recommends incorporating in your daily skincare routine – especially for mature skins – is a face glow serum made of high-quality ingredients.

Your skin is constantly undergoing change, triggered from within and by external factors. It is constantly reacting to everything; from the passing of time to your lifestyle choices and the environment around you. To support your best skin from this moment on and beyond, it’s time to review your choices and your skincare regime. I’d like to introduce you to my Skin Sculpting Serum, which I believe will be your new best friend on your pathway to your best skin.

Dr Nina Bal

The formula of Dr Nina’s Face Sculpt Serum has been specifically designed for most skin types to achieve immediate glowing skin and contains, of course, hyaluronic acid.

Let’s have a closer look at the ingredients that make up the glow formula of Dr Nina’s Face Sculpt Serum.

• ARABIAN COTTON 1%
  • Broad-spectrum protection against photo-aging.
• CROSSLINKED 2% HYALURONIC ACID
  • Provides gradual hydration and, in turn, improves the skin, balancing both hydration and oil production. It improves the protective barrier effect of the skin as well.
• EXO-P 2%
  • Makes a barrier or shield effect, preventing the penetration of pollutant particles.
• GLYCOLIC ACID 0.7%
  • Glycolic acid has a very low molecular weight, meaning it is able to penetrate the skin easily to soften and gently exfoliate, whilst also hydrating the skin.
• LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT HYALURONIC ACID 0.1%
  • Penetrates the stratum corneum, providing water to the deeper layers of the skin and improving wrinkles.
• MATRIXYL® 2%
  • Stimulates the production of collagen for a long-term anti-wrinkle effect.
• NIACINAMIDE 1%
  • A vitamin of group D, balances skin tone and improves the look of hyperpigmentation.
• REDENSIN® 2.5%
  • Helps plump wrinkles from the inside.
• SALICYLIC ACID 0.1%
  • A gentle exfoliator to soften and gently exfoliate the skin. It also has an antibacterial and antiseptic action.
• TURMERIA ZEN 1%
  • A multi-active ingredient from Turmeric stem cells with an anti-inflammatory action that helps to support wound healing and improves the look of small scars and wrinkles.

Hyaluronic Acid Injectables

Injectables dermal fillers such as JUVÉDERM and Restylane use a gel form of hyaluronic acid manufactured usually through fermentation and cross-linking with proteins.

Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are a clear sterile gel contained in a syringe ready for injection. They penetrate into the skin providing immediate correction to fine lines and sunken areas, creating volume by drawing in water for an instant filling effect.

The effects of injectables are temporary, because hyaluronic acid gets broken down by the body over around six months.

Since hyaluronic acid is something our bodies already produce, it’s considered safe for use in all types of injectables. Dr Nina uses filler for several different treatments:

• To correct or enhance facial contours; cheeks, temples, jawline, nose, chin
• To define, correct or enhance lips
• To soften and correct facial wrinkles or folds
• To restore lost volume in hands to reduce the appearance of veins and tendons
• To correct hollows under the eyes (tear troughs)
• To improve the tone, texture and hydration of the skin

Conclusions

It is easy to see why hyaluronic acid is so popular in skincare and cosmetics, considering the great number of benefits that it has for your skin.

• It works for any skin type, even sensitive or breakout-prone skin, as well as those with an oily complexion.
• Recent research suggests that hyaluronic acid also has antioxidant properties, which means it can act like a shield against free radicals.
• It also has thoroughly documented, long-term studies as well as being compared to other ingredients and is considered safe and stable to use in skincare products.
• It makes skin stronger thanks to its ability to heal and repair wounds.
• It helps skin tone appear more uniform and reduces the appearance of pigmentation.
• Its intense hydration capabilities also make it a key anti-aging agent.