Ready to meet the MVP of moisturizing? HA! Yep, that’s the shortcut name for hyaluronic acid… You’ve probably heard about it, after all, it’s the ingredient that’s been on everyone’s lips, not to mention in them, for years. But do you know just how important it is for keeping your skin healthy, dewy, plump, and radiant?
HA… Did you know?
- Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule, found naturally in both plants and animals
- It’s produced by our bodies, but we get less of it as we age. And we can lose it if we treat our skin harshly by over-exfoliating and damaging our skin barrier, smoking or not protecting it from dry air, cold and wind. Bottom line, we need to keep our HA levels topped up
- It is a humectant, which means it's a serious moisture magnet. It can hold six liters of water in just one gram – that's some hydration superpower! On the skin’s surface, it helps to capture moisture from the air too. Double boom
- Around 50% of the HA in our bodies is found in our skin – it's part of the squad that repairs and regenerates it – but it’s not just about keeping our skin glowy. It also works its wonders as a lube for our eyes and joints, and you’ll find it in hair and nerves
Image: Pexels.com/Katerina Holmes
Boost your hyaluronic acid
When it comes to topping up your HA, good nutrition is the way to go.
Stock up on those antioxidant-packed fruits and veggies, which help prevent inflammation in the body, so you don’t lose that precious HA. Plus, bone broth is chock-full of the good stuff!
Or you can snag some HA supplements, but talk to your doctor first, especially if you have health concerns.
And for the quickest skin fix, slap it on with your skincare.
Hyaluronic acid and your skin
HA is a true skincare rockstar.
Who can use it?
Just about everyone! Whether you're Team Sensitive, Team Oily, or Team Breakout, HA's got your back (and face). It's one of the safest ingredients – read: pretty much no drama or allergies, just pure hydration. It also plays nicely with other skin actives, including retinol, PHA, vitamin C, salicylic acid, niacinamide and more. It can help counter dryness and soothe irritation.
Gentle warning: If you've got a history of severe sensitivity or allergies, tread carefully and do a 24-hour patch test. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, maybe skip taking HA supplements for now.
How HA works its skin magic
HA teams up with collagen to lock in water and making your skin look plump, dewy, and bouncy. It works in your skin to boost repair, especially in the vital moisture barrier, which keeps water in and bad things out. It also helps reduce wrinkles, not to mention that so-wanted instant glow-up. Talk about a triple threat!
Size matters!
There are different versions of HA, and they come in different sizes. These are used in skincare to do different jobs, and some last longer in the skin than others.
Big ones (high molecular weight) sit on the skin's surface, keeping it moisturized and protecting the skin barrier, making it bouncy and calming irritation.
The small ones (low molecular weight), like sodium hyaluronate, are like undercover agents. They sneak into the deeper layers, attracting water, plumping and smoothing things out.
HA in products
Check your skincare stash – you’ll probably find some form of HA in the ingredients – it's a staple in moisturizers, serums, eye creams – you name it.
CERM Skin’s own 5% Hyaluronic Complete Serum contains 8D Hyaluronic Acid.
What is 8D Hyaluronic Acid?
Thanks for asking! It's a special form of hyaluronic acid cocktail that's on a mission to maximize skin hydration.
The clue is in the name. It's made up of 8 different sizes and types of HA. Brace yourself for the science: Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer. We know, that's quite a mouthful – get why we call it 8D?!
Some of these HAs work on the surface and have an instant hydration and soothing effect, while others work deep down and are long-acting in the skin. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, and pore-friendly.
Image: Pexels.com/Nataliya Vaitkevich
Injectables? Oh, yes!
HA's been ruling the filler roost(er) for decades. See what we did there? Some of the animal sources of filler are rooster combs 😉, but it’s also made in labs or extracted from plants.
It’s used plumping lips, cheeks, and tackling wrinkles like a boss. It's reversible too – if you're not feeling it, no biggie! Your dermatologist has the knowhow to reverse it.
Alternatives to HA? We got you
Look out for other humectants like urea, glycerine, colloidal oatmeal, sorbitol, propylene glycol, beta-glucans, and honey – they are HA's cool cousins.
So, there you have it – the lowdown on HA. Wishing you healthy, happy skin, as always.
