We think hyaluronic acid is great
And there are two main reasons why:
So, whether in a serum or a cream, hyaluronic acid is a good moisturizing ingredient that is well-tolerated by virtually everyone.
What exactly is hyaluronic acid?
When we see the word "acid," our minds may conjure up images of exfoliating acids, such as hydroxy acids like glycolic acid, lactic acid, or salicylic acid. Or maybe something even more frightening, like hydrochloric acid, which can burn skin.
Hyaluronic acid is actually made up of two types of sugar molecules that repeat over and over. These sugars are called d-Glucuronic acid and d-N-acetylglucosamine. Don't worry if you can't pronounce them :)
These sugar molecules join together to form chains (referred to as polysaccharides). These chains can get really long — sometimes thousands of sugar molecules long.
What's special about hyaluronic acid is how it acts in water. When mixed with water, it stretches out into long, loose chains that intertwine together, forming a jelly that allows it to hold 1,000 times its weight in water. This water-attracting and holding property makes it an amazing humectant — perfect for hydrating skin.
Humectants are usually incorporated into moisturizing serums and creams because they can hold onto water to help hydrate the skin.
Side note: Glycerin, urea, and panthenol (provitamin B5) are other very commonly used humectants in skincare.
How is hyaluronic acid good for aging skin?
Hyaluronic acid, found throughout the body, is most concentrated in the skin, where it helps retain moisture. In fact, 50% of your body's hyaluronic acid is in your skin. It's also found in the umbilical cord, joint fluid, eye fluid, and all body tissues like bones, heart valves, and lungs.
In the skin, hyaluronic acid is one of the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that are naturally present and functions to hold water and keep the skin hydrated. It's the most predominant GAG in the body.
Side note: Other GAGs include dermatan sulfate, chondroiton 4-sulfate and chondroitin-6 sulfate.
As you age, the natural levels of GAGs like hyaluronic acid decrease, reducing your skin's ability to retain water. UV damage further worsens this issue. Combined with the natural decline of waterproofing lipids like ceramides, the result is dry, less-plump skin.
One solution is using hydrating serums and creams applied topically. Humectants like hyaluronic acid attract and retain water, while waterproofing lipids such as ceramides, oils, waxes, and fats help prevent water evaporation.
Applying a topical product containing hyaluronic acid essentially hydrates the surface of your skin and creates a humid microenvironment. This increases the moisture content within the skin and reduces water evaporation.
Topical retinoids will also increase hyaluronic acid levels inside the skin — and this is part of how retinoids help improve wrinkles. So if you want to boost hyaluronic acid from the inside out, try a retinoid like retinaldehyde (aka retinal), retinol, or tretinoin.
How best to use hyaluronic acid products
Hyaluronic acid plays well with other ingredients whether it is in a serum or a cream.
Maelove products with hyaluronic acid
At Maelove, we have a specialty hyaluronic acid serum that also contains panthenol:
You'll also find hyaluronic acid featured in a number of our other products:
If you would like much more in-depth discussions as well as scientific references, we'll be publishing our Deep Guide to Hyaluronic Acid soon. Stay tuned!
