Written by Senior Skincare Specialist Kim Van Zyl
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an abundant, naturally occurring substance found in your body, and forms one of the key components of the connective tissue in your skin. It is synthesized in the skin by fibroblast, fibrocyte, and by roving stem cell repair cells derived from bone marrow that shows up in case of wound healing or any other healing that is needed.
This amazing molecule can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water to not only retain all the moisture in our skin but also to prevent all the moisture from evaporating into the air keeping our skin hydrated and plump.
As we age our body’s natural production of Hyaluronic Acid slows down (the ultimate goal is the “Benjamin Button” life, right?) It is no wonder that Hyaluronic Acid has become a key ingredient in most beauty products and is consistently one of the hottest topics in the aesthetic beauty industry.
Table of contents
- SO WHAT DOES HYALURONIC ACID DO?
- HOW SHOULD I APPLY HYALURONIC ACID?
- WHY IS IT CALLED AN ACID?
- WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR ON INGREDIENT LISTS?
- HYALURONIC ACID AND SODIUM HYALURONATE?
- OUR TOP HYALURONIC ACID PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
- THE FUTURE OF SKINCARE
So what does Hyaluronic Acid Do?
Hyaluronic acid’s moisture-binding characteristics are exceptionally important when it comes to skin ageing and protection. When we’re young our skin can hold onto water and retain and maintain a blanched amount of moisture, but it loses this ability as we age. The results are a visible loss of firmness, pliability, and a diminished appearance of plumpness and suppleness.
Unprotected sun exposure and environmental assault weaken the skin’s surface and cause premature ageing. Hopefully, you already know that the daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen and avoiding harsh skincare ingredients is a must for combating these things, but you might not know that Hyaluronic acid antioxidants and skin-replenishing properties go a long way to fight against those issues.
How should I apply Hyaluronic Acid?
When you apply a Hyaluronic Acid serum to your skin, it acts like a sponge by attracting moisture to boost hydration on the surface of the skin. The moisture that Hyaluronic Acid attracts comes from your external environment, so it absorbs moisture from the air around you to leave skin plumped and hydrated.
Essentially, if you have dry or dehydrated skin or the atmosphere around you is dry (think heating/air-con), Hyaluronic Acid will draw moisture from the deeper layers of skin, bringing it to the surface and potentially exacerbating dry skin symptoms.
Hyaluronic Acid works most effectively when it is sandwiched between two layers of additional moisture. Think of your HA serum as your sandwich filling with layers of moisture on either side of your bread.
Why is it called an acid? Does it exfoliate skin?
When you think ‘acid’ in skincare, you often think of the chemical peels like Glycolic, Lactic, and Salicylic. However, Hyaluronic Acid is the complete opposite. HA is a powerful humectant and because it is found naturally within the skin, it’s great for most skin types.
What should I look out for on ingredients lists?
When you’re looking at an ingredients list, keep an eye out for Sodium Hyaluronate. Sodium Hyaluronate is a salt derivative of Hyaluronic Acid with all the same benefits, except it is more easily absorbed. Look for a product containing both Sodium Hyaluronate and Hyaluronic Acid for the optimum hydration boost
Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Hyaluronate
In addition to Hyaluronic acid, you may have seen the similarity named sodium hyaluronate on a skincare product’s ingredient list. Not surprisingly, these two ingredients are related
What’s the difference between Sodium Hyaluronate and Hyaluronic acid?
Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid. This makes it more water-soluble, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin. Because it synthesized to have a smaller molecular structure, it is also more stable and less susceptible to damage from oxidation. This can help the product last longer
Both Hyaluronic acid and Sodium Hyaluronate are used for the same skincare products, primarily its hydrating plumping and anti-ageing benefits.
Our top Hyaluronic Acid products recommendations
Mesoestetic HA Densimatrix
This revolutionary anti-aging and moisturizing treatment enhance collagen and elastin synthesis, providing skin tissue support for increased firmness, elasticity, and fewer wrinkles.
Matskin Hyaluronic Acid serum
Matriskin’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a concentrated gel based on hyaluronic acid that provides a particularly hydrating anti-ageing and smoothing effect. This hyaluronic acid is a biotechnological obtained biopolymer capable of retaining a quantity of water greater than 1’000 times its weight. The serum is like a ‘molecular sponge’ and plays an essential role in the long-term hydration of the epidermis.
QMS Night Collagen Serum:
The QMS Night Collagen Serum is a restoring and hydrating night collagen serum that helps to restore tonicity and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Formulated with advanced Neotec A15® Collagen technology, Hyaluronic Acid, and Matrixyl 3000®, it forms a key step of the iconic QMS Collagen System.
The future of at-home skincare
With so many intensive at-home skincare solutions available on the market, it can be quite the challenge to select the most suitable options for your individualised concern. But that is where we come in, virtually. We welcome all skincare shoppers to schedule a virtual consultation with one of our Skincare Specialists, to not only help take the frustration out of online shopping but to also ensure you make the most valuable selections for your new skincare routine.
Whether it is for a new Hyaluronic Acid serum, or simply to get some advice on a new exfoliator, we are ready when you are! Schedule your virtual skincare specialist consultation today.
