Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that has had a lot of attention as a new trend in skincare products over the last few years. Increasingly, we are seeing many high street brands like L'Oreal advertise the anti-ageing, skin-plumping effects of hyaluronic acid which leave your skin feeling firm and supple. These benefits of hyaluronic acid mean there are now a barrage of hyaluronic serums in the market that claim to intensely hydrate your skin, reduce fine lines and prevent signs of ageing. But is hyaluronic really worth the hype?
Let's get into the facts:
Your Body naturally produces Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is not, as some worry, a harsh chemical produced artificially. Rather it is found naturally, and aplenty in our bodies. Hyaluronic acid is able to bind very large amounts of water and when dissolved in water, acts as a lubricant. That's why it is found in significant quantities in our eyes and in the synovial fluid in our joints to keep them lubricated and healthy. In fact, hyaluronic acid is the reason why babies have incredibly soft, supple cheeks. When we are young, our bodies produce a significant amount of hyaluronic acid, and it is only when as we get older, our natural production of hyaluronic reduces, and cause issues in our joints.
Hyaluronic Acid can hold up to 1000 times its molecular weight in water
It is this very property of hyaluronic acid that makes it such a popular ingredient in skincare products. Because hyaluronic acid can hold 1000 times its molecular weight in water, it is a very powerful skincare ingredient to lock in moisture in the skin. Hyaluronic acid also helps your body synthesise collagen, which enables the skin to maintain its elasticity and remain firm, which is why hyaluronic is believed to have anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle effects, and is commonly used as a key ingredient in many moisturisers as well as dedicated hyaluronic serums.
Not all Hyaluronic Serums work the same
Just because a skincare product says it contains hyaluronic acid, doesn't mean that every hyaluronic serum will work the same. Hyaluronic acid comes in different molecular weights. A hyaluronic acid that is low density or low molecular weight will penetrate deeper into the skin to provide hydration and help build the collagen that brings the anti-ageing effects that hyaluronic serums claim to. Hyaluronic with medium density will stay on the surface of the skin, locking in moisture on the surface to give your skin that smooth, flawless look. Because each density has its pros and cons, at MotherEarth's Beauty, our Beauty Burst Hyaluronic Serum brings together low density hyaluronic and medium density hyaluronic so that your skin can enjoy the best of both worlds: the low density hyaluronic penetrates deep within the skin to keep it firm and supple, reducing signs of ageing, whilst the medium density stays on the surface of the skin to give you that smooth, perfect-textured feel.
If Hyaluronic Acid is found in many moisturisers, do I still need a dedicated serum?
Of course, with these properties of hyaluronic acid, many moisturisers already contain hyaluronic acid. However, concentration of the ingredient in a skincare product matters. Whilst hyaluronic may exist in your moisturiser, having a dedicated hyaluronic acid serum as part of your skincare routine, which contains a higher concentration of the active ingredient can complement and support the rest of your hydrating, anti-ageing skincare routine.
Armed with this information, where do you stand? Have you incorporated an hyaluronic serum into your skincare routine yet?
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