Hyaluronic Acid (HA) – Do We Need It?

Keeping your skin hydrated is an all-time mission, and it is just impossible to miss this renowned hydrating ingredient: Hyaluronic acid (HA).

Although called “acid”, hyaluronic acid is not an actual “acid” like BHA or AHA. Opposite to these typical exfoliating acids, hyaluronic acid is only an acid when in its true form, meaning it is the only form of HA that has a lower acidic PH.

Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced in the deeper dermal layers of the skin and can be found in the connective tissue in your skin. Its main uses and benefits are to keep skin moist and lubricated with its ability to hold 1000 times its own weight in moisture. This means that HA can attract water from outside sources and draw it into your skin. Therefore, hyaluronic acid is commonly used as a humectant in skin care products – a substance that helps the skin hold onto water. Coming in different weights, HA variations each work on different layers of your skin. Overall this helps hydrate the various layers of skin, improving its appearance and making it look plumper, more radiant, and youthful.

Hyaluronic Acid comes in a few different products.  In a serum, where it is more concentrated, or in a moisturiser, where it is added along with other moisturising ingredients. The functions of hyaluronic acid are to hydrate, but below are some other key benefits of using products enriched in this wonderful ingredient.

 

Hydration:

Hyaluronic acid (HA) attracts water from the environment and pulls it towards the skin and binds water in the skin. It then plumps the skin cells it has bound itself to.

However, as we age, it becomes harder to hold moisture in the skin.  After reaching around the age of 30, we lose approximately 1% of our hyaluronic acid stores per year. Luckily, we can add it back to our skin by applying hyaluronic acid skincare to the surface of the skin. Daily application of a HA product will make your skin appear smoother and plumper.

 

Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles:

With less hyaluronic acid stores, skin loses its ability to stay firm and supple, leading to an uneven texture, visible fine lines, and volume loss. Research has found that hyaluronic acid can help restore the texture of a person’s skin and increase skin elasticity. This is because the extra moisture brought to your skin by hyaluronic acid which plumps the fine lines and wrinkles and gives the effect of firmer skin.

 

Enhanced lipid barrier:

The lipid barrier protects our skin from external damage such as UV rays, pollutants and lifestyle choices. This damage results in more fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and drier skin. As we age, the lipid barrier in the epidermis becomes weaker. Adding hyaluronic acid to your routine can help fortify the skin’s natural barrier to help lock moisture in. Over time, this can help slow down the deterioration of the lipid barrier and help protect it.

 

Reduction of redness and scarring:

Although hyaluronic acid can’t fill in acne scars, its hydrating properties can help acne sufferers’ skin balance their epidermis and enhance the skin’s outermost moisture barrier. As skin gets healthier, redness and the appearance of acne scars become less visible.

 

Incorrect use of hyaluronic acid:

If misused, hyaluronic acid can indeed dry out your skin. If you’re applying hyaluronic acid to a very dry face, it can end up drawing moisture away from the deeper levels of your skin, which in turn will leave your complexion feeling tight and uncomfortable. It’s a problem that usually occurs when humidity levels are extremely low, and affects those living in a cooler climate as there’s a lack of moisture in the air. To counteract this issue, you should layer hyaluronic acid serum with a moisturiser which will seal in the hyaluronic acid and provide a barrier against moisture loss. 

For best results, hyaluronic acid serum should be applied to damp skin, right after cleansing.

 

Which hyaluronic acid (HA) serums do we love?

Well, all of them, of course!!  but here are our top five:

• PCA Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum.  Designed to provide you deep and lasting benefits of hydration using three types of Hyaluronic Acid, reaching both the upper and lower levels of your skin, to leave you feeling soft, smooth and glowing
• Société Skin Hydration Complex.  A light & refreshing hydration boost for the skin. Ideal for post-procedure, irritated or dehydrated skin – a true drink for the skin
• Aspect Dr Hyaluronic Serum. This serum contains a variety of molecular weights of sodium hyaluronate. Which is a compound that increases hydration by delivering hyaluronic acid to your skin as needed.
• Dermalist All Serum. Discover Dermalist’s revolutionary approach to skin care with this powerful, all-in-one serum. No longer do you need multiple serums, this formulation contains 15 active ingredients. For your best skin ever and a radiant, youthful appearance that gets noticed!
• CosMedix Surge. Surge is a complexion-quenching Hyaluronic Acid Booster that deeply hydrates the skin to help visibly plump and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles for a healthier, more radiant-looking complexion.

Another key ingredient to this serum, Niacinamide, helps retain hydration. It does this by boosting your skin’s natural barrier function. It locks moisture into the epidermis layer of skin, while simultaneously reducing water loss. The below serums are a combination of both great ingredients and very popular.

• Medik8 Hydr8 B5. The ultimate solution for dehydrated skin. Medik8 Hydr8 B5 is the top selling serum from the Medik8 range. Infused with multiple sizes of hyaluronic acid to draw in and trap water in all layers of the skin for maximum hydration. Skin is left feeling soft and supple, while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines for younger, healthy looking skin.
• SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5. SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 is an oil free hydrating serum, replenishing moisture and restoring radiance for a smoother complexion. This moisture-enhancing gel with hyaluronic acid replenishes hydration and nutrients to smooth and soften the skin.

 

Moisturisers rich in hyaluronic acid:

Using a cream rich in hyaluronic acid will leave your skin feeling soft, supple and nourished.  Here are our five favourites:

• Aspect Super Moisturising Complex. The ingredients in the Aspect Super Moisturising Complex moisturiser target your cells, to do their restorative work on the deepest cellular level. This product is uniquely great at protecting against free radical damage and repairing cell walls. This is due to specialised ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and stem cell extracts which restores the skin’s vitality quickly.
• Cosmedix Elite X-Age. Stress is a major factor in premature ageing of your skin, this miracle cream has anti-inflammatory ingredients to help calm and de-stress your skin. Rich in phytoestrogens and AGP complex to help alleviate wrinkling, and contains L-sodium hyaluronate to keep skin supple and hydrated. An intelligent antioxidant cream. Super hydrating with AGP complex to help improve skin texture and soften skins’ appearance.
• Medik8 C-Tetra Cream. The perfect introduction to anti-ageing skincare, C-Tetra Cream hydrates your skin, while also supporting skin’s natural barrier against the damage of free radicals. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin provide deep hydrations to leave skin supple and radiant. While the antioxidant power of vitamins C & E boost the skins natural defence against premature ageing. A natural citrus scent provides an uplifting way to start your morning.
• Osmosis MD Quench. A lightweight moisturiser, Osmosis MD Quench contains high amounts of hyaluronic acid and provides various lipids to restore the epidermal barrier.
• Societe Calming Relief Balm. Helps reduce the appearance of problematic skin conditions, including redness, itching & hyper-sensitivity. Can use after skin treatments & laser procedures.

So if you are looking for plumper, softer and more hydrated skin, hyaluronic acid is the answer.  But if you are still unsure – this weekend we are giving away 15ml Aspect Dr Hyaluronic Serum  valued at $75 to all orders over $129!!  But be QUICK!  We only have 50, and these will go fast!

 

Best Selling Skin Care Options

If you need any help in choosing your skin care, you can email us at info@theskincareclinic.com.au.

 

 

 

 

 

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