Does Your Skin Need Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid is the hottest ingredient in skincare right now—but how well does it actually work as a moisturizer and wrinkle-plumper?

Beauty editors, skincare companies and anti-aging aficionados are having a serious love affair with hyaluronic acid. It is everywhere: not just as the main ingredient in injectable fillers but also in topical serums, lotions, creams and masques; it’s making its way into foundation, primer, blush and lipstick, too.

What is hyaluronic acid? Hyaluronic acid (which also goes by the names hyaluronan or hyaluronate) is not an acid in the same sense as popular ones like salicylic or glycolic, which exfoliate away dead skin cells. Hyaluronic acid doesn’t do that at all. As a naturally-occurring polysaccharide found in the human body, it acts as a cushioning and lubrication agent for our joints, nerves, hair, skin and eyes.

It’s particularly important to skin appearance because about 50 percent of the body’s supply is located in the skin tissues, where the viscous, jelly-like substance helps keep it plump, soft and supple. Our ability to produce hyaluronic acid declines with age, which can lead to increased dryness, fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity. Hyaluronic acid molecules’ unique ability to attract and retain more than 1,000 times their weight in water.

Why hyaluronic acid makes a great injectable filler. Popular fillers like Restylane and Juvéderm work like sponges once they’re injected, swelling up with water to create a plumper look Over time—anywhere from three to 12 months—the hyaluronic acid gets absorbed by the body and disappears. This is longer than collagen lasts; HA is also less likely to produce a reaction, since the body does not recognize it as a foreign substance. .

There is also some evidence that hyaluronic acid stimulates collagen production. It forms a barrier on the skin and gives a soft moisturizing effect that makes skin smoother

The right way to use hyaluronic acid

Although it gives you the sensation that your skin is “instantly” moist and hydrated, you are not getting any lipids or fats to really protect and provide lasting moisture. There are lots of discussions that it can be drying, but in our facial room here in Pagosa Springs, what we normally see is that it softens and restores healthy skin very quickly. Most clients need an additional moisturizer. So with our line of ultra low molecular weight hyaluronic acid products, we like to use another moisturizing step after. Lavish contains addition volumes of larger molecules of hyaluronic acid, but also contains raw shea butter, acai berry extract, passion fruit seed oil, calendula flower, and rice brain oil. This work in conjuction to help deeply moisturize with lasting lipids, vitamin content and trace minerals.

One great thing about HA is that it’s super-light and watery, which is a great benefit for anyone with acne-prone skin who is averse to creamy/oily moisturizers.

The most potent topical form is in a serum—to be applied on clean, bare and ideally damp (or even wet) skin as the first step in your skincare regimen. (The wetness will help it trap and lock in the most water.) Two of the highest-concentrations are Vivify Serum and Vivify Spritz from organic skin care maker Queen Bee.

Queen Bee Skin Care is an organic skin care company that formulates and manufactures products in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.  They have been selling specialty skin care items online for years, some of which have been featured in the Denver Post and Dr Oz’s popular daytime TV Show.  Specializing in botanicals packed with phyto-nutrients that nourish the skin and spirit!  You can find Queen Bee on facebook too!  To purchase your favorite organic skin care items, you can shop online at www.QueenBeeSkin.com or give us a buzz at 970-316-buzz.