If you’ve done any skincare shopping or leafed through any magazines recently, you’ll probably have come across hyaluronic acid more than once. Also, more products now contain it - but what actually is it? What does it do for the skin? And most importantly, are all hyaluronic acids available on the market the same?

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is acarbohydrate moleculenaturally present in skin and body tissue. Its role is to lubricate joints and keep tissue well hydrated, in good condition and plump.

Hyaluronic acid is a sponge which can hold a thousand times its weight in water. It keeps skin moisturised with its plumping and smoothing effects.

Why is hyaluronic acid so important for my skin?

When skin ages, its ability to retain water is affected because it contains less collagen and elastin. The skin lacks hyaluronic acidwhich forms a kind of “cement” to keep collagen hydrated.

The first signs of ageing come in the form of visible changes to the skin’s surface: a dull complexion, drawn- and tired-looking features and fine lines caused by dehydration. The skin’s metabolism slows, leading to sagging, deeper wrinkles and dullness. Over time, the skin becomes increasingly vulnerable to external aggressors. With age, skin ageing accelerates and the skin weakens, losing density and volume. Facial contours sag, wrinkles deepen and the skin loses its radiance.

Hyaluronic acid re-moisturises the skin, leaving it plumped and with lasting radiance, while also stimulating natural collagen production.

This makes hyaluronic acid effective at preventing and treating the visible signs of skin ageing. However, not all hyaluronic acids are the same...

How can I tell if a hyaluronic acid will be effective?

Two things should be taken into account when assessing the quality and effectiveness of a hyaluronic acid: the method used to obtain itand its concentration in a formula.

Two types exist: synthetic hyaluronic acid and plant hyaluronic acid. While the first is poorly absorbed by skin and obtained using chemical solvents, pure plant hyaluronic acid comes from solvent-free wheat biofermentation and is much better absorbed.

It’s also important to check the concentration of hyaluronic acid in a product formula to ensure it’s as effective as possible.

For example: A 1% dose of 10% hyaluronic acid solution means 0.1% pure hyaluronic acid in the formula: a minimal amount.

Advanced Plumping Serum contains the strongest concentration of hyaluronic acid available on the market for an instant plumping and smoothing effect: 1.6% pure hyaluronic acid.

The three-molecular-weight acid acts at the heart of the formula on the three skin layers:

- High molecular weight: Forms a protective film to retain water on the skin’s surface

- Intermediate molecular weight: Smooths and plumps for lasting hydration

- Low molecular weight: boosts collagen production to prevent sagging

In conclusion

By the age of 50, your skin will have already lost 50% of its hyaluronic acid! Use high-quality products containing several molecular weights of natural pure plant hyaluronic acid at the strongest possible concentration to support your skin's natural hyaluronic acid production.

A handy hint

To boost the effects of your products, eat a diet rich in vitamin C (citrus fruit, acerola, camu camu): the vitamin required for natural collagen production. Also eat plenty of essential fatty acids (wild salmon, sardines and small oily fish) to deeply nourish tissue, help prevent sagging and keep skin feeling comfortable.