Over the years the skincare industry has seen ‘buzzy’ ingredients come and go, but this ingredient is here to stay! It is seen as a powerhouse hydrator which is safe to be used on all skin types & concerns!
I’m sure many of you have heard of Hyaluronic Acid but may not be quite sure what it is, or, what it does, also the term ‘acid’ can make people feel nervous and think twice about putting anywhere near their face! Take a little time to read this blog and understand the amazing benefits, uses and facts of Hyaluronic Acid.
Firstly, let me start by confirming that it’s a harmless, gentle ingredient that has the key to smooth, flawless and hydrated skin. Our own skin cells produce Hyaluronic Acid naturally to aid in maintaining moisture levels, but like most things, with age and environmental aggressors our levels of hyaluronic acid dip. That’s why Hyaluronic Acid is important and should be included as a key ingredient in our daily skincare routine.
Please don’t be intimated by the word ‘acid’ in hyaluronic acid. Unlike salicylic acid, or lactic acid, which have exfoliating agents, hyaluronic acid is a gentle hydrator, so excellent for your skin!
So, what is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a hydrophilic sugar molecule naturally found in the body which literally means ‘water loving’. Its primary function is to trap water inside tissue cells, it pulls water from the air and sucks it into your skin like a sponge, helping your skin to stay hydrated. It can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water! Due to its ability to retain water, this is precisely why it is a key ingredient in many facial products, foundations, and concealers. It is also an important ingredient used in fillers because it works similarly when being injected as it does topically, binding to water in your body causing a plumping affect.
High-molecular vs Low-molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid
High-molecular Hyaluronic Acid is normally the standard in many products; however, you will see some brands use low-molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid.
The difference between high-molecular Hyaluronic Acid and low-molecular-weight HA is that the low-molecular weight HA has been split into smaller fragments. Thereby, these smaller fragments can no longer form a gel with water like the large molecules, but they can penetrate the skin much easier and have a better anti-irritant and regenerating effect once absorbed by the skin.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic Acid has many great benefits which include:
- Sensitive skin friendly
- Powerful skin hydrator
- Can help re-seal your skin barrier, aid in wound healing and repair
- Maximise skin penetration of other skincare actives – can hold other skincare ingredients in a hyaluronic acid matrix to help them penetrate skin effectively
- Can help keep skin firm and plump
- Act as an antioxidant & free radical scavenger
- Helps skin smooth aka resolves roughness
- Increases skins pliability/bounce-back
The three main benefits include hydration, reduction in fine lines & wrinkles and plumper skin.
Hydration – It hydrates dehydrated skin by reducing water loss.
Anti-ageing – As we age our skin produces less Hyaluronic acid contributing to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It hydrates and plumps skin to improve the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles!
Hyaluronic acid retains and improves skin’s hydration levels, thus promoting synthesis of collagen and elastin fibres. All these factors are necessary for firm, elastic, and youthful skin.
Side effects
There are no known side affects caused by the use of topical Hyaluronic Acid. Using hyaluronic acid in the form of a serum or moisturiser is completely safe. As an active ingredient it is a very dependable source.
How to use Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid can be found in serums, moisturisers, and eye creams. For the ingredient to actively work, the product containing HA should be applied to a cleansed, dry surface, also ensuring it is applied prior to any SPF or oil as this will cause a barrier.
Highest doses of HA are usually found in serums but works best alongside a moisturiser.
Basic step by step daily routine to follow:
AM:
- Double cleanse
- Tone
- Serum – containing hyaluronic acid
- Eye cream – hyaluronic acid
- Moisturiser
- SPF
PM:
- Double cleanse
- Tone
- Serum – containing hyaluronic acid
- Eye cream – containing hyaluronic acid
- Moisturiser
- SPF
Recommended skincare products containing Hyaluronic Acid
CliniCare Serum: This lightweight serum moisturiser is developed with moisture-lock technology. Daily use helps fortify and repair skin’s moisture barrier to keep moisture in and environmental irritants out. Contains an extremely high concentration of low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid for dermal hydration. (Can be purchased directly through us)
CliniCare Essence: Contains an extremely high concentration of plant extracts and low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid for dermal hydration. (Can be purchased directly through us)
La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Moisturiser
Treatments:
Mesotherapy is a great an effective natural way for the skin to receive a high dose of Hyaluronic Acid.
CliniCare Mesotherapy solutions are recommended for anti-ageing, skin rejuvenation and hyperpigmentation treatment. They contain a mixture of skin rejuvenating and antioxidant ingredients, which combat the loss of native hyaluronic acid and collagen fibres by moisturising and firming the skin. The Mesotherapy solution is applied with a syringe in conjunction with the Raffine microneedling therapy system.
The Raffine automatic microneedling therapy system is safe, effective and suitable for all skin types. It can be used on all areas of the face and body for a variety of purposes, including cellulite treatment, scar removal treatment and hyperpigmentation treatment.
The Raffine therapy system is far more advanced than roller needling. Clinical studies have also shown automatic micro-needling devices to be more effective than ablative treatments like laser resurfacing, dermabrasion and chemical peels.
However, the Raffine is also just as effective as non-ablative treatments like IPL, CO2 Laser and Fraxel in stimulating collagen and elastin production to thicken the skin, thereby erasing wrinkles and smoothing scars.