These days, every man and his dog is using a moisturiser with hyaluronic acid—even if they don’t realise it. If it’s not listed in bold font on the front of the bottle, most moisturisers and serums have hyaluronic acid tucked away somewhere in the ingredient list.
If, like us, you’re not 100 per cent sure what this hyaluronic bizzo is, read on!
WHAT IS HYALURONIC ACID, EXACTLY?
Great question! According to Dr Joseph Hkeik, from All Saints Clinics in Sydney, hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that already exists in our skin. “Your body makes it and your body breaks it after 7 days,” he says.
Basically, hyaluronic acid has a crucial job to do: “Hyaluronic acid is abundant inside the eye, inside the joint, and is a very important product for us to keep water in our system—as you know we are 75 per cent water.” According to a study published in the International Journal of Toxicology, one gram of hyaluronic acid can hold up to six litres of water.
SO, MY FACE IS FULL OF IT ALREADY?
Well, yes—but it could do with a little more. One of the biggest signs of ageing is lack of moisture brought on by dehydration.
WHAT ARE THE HYALURONIC ACID BENEFITS TO SKIN?
Hydration, hydration, hydration! Hyaluronic acid is a really powerful moisturiser. “A lot of companies look at hyaluronic acid as a product to lock water into the skin,” Dr Hkeik says.
Again, one gram of hyaluronic acid can hold up to six litres of water!(!) Products containing hyaluronic plump the skin, hydrate and make your complexion extra glow-y. If you’re in your 20’s and not ready to approach skincare containing actives, a hyaluronic acid serum will keep your skin in good nick, just by locking in (lots of) moisture. When your skin is well moisturised, you slow down the ageing process and improve skin elasticity.
HOW TO APPLY HYALURONIC ACID
Typically, hyaluronic acid is applied topically, using a moisturiser or serum. Alternatively, if you’re ready to step your skincare up a notch, hyaluronic acid can also be injected. “The best way to get hyaluronic acid into your skin is inject it,” Dr Hkeik says. “We do have a treatment where we inject a simpler form of hyaluronic acid under the surface that still hydrates for people that have dryer skin—it’s not a filler, it’s a skin hydrator.” At All Saints Clinics, this is called a Clinical Hydrating Facial Treatment.
HYALURONIC ACID SERUM FOR SKIN: SIDE EFFECTS
The best part? Hyaluronic acid is completely safe. Dr Hkeik explains, “If it’s in a pure form, no one reacts to it. “You don’t have allergies to hyaluronic acid. In my time in this industry, I’ve never had anyone react to hyaluronic acid.”
