Hyaluronic Acid (HA) – the central element in the working of skin health and age prevention.
This organic compound naturally occurs in the body. It’s also known as a glycosaminoglycan – a long chain polysaccharide vital for maintaining the skin’s extra cellular matrix and supporting structures like Collagen and Elastin within the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid plays an integral role in tissue repair which is why it is so widely used.
In 1970 the compound was originally used to treat Osteoarthritis and injected into joints to repair and re-build cartilage. The Scientific Community then proved the benefits of Hyaluronic Acid on the skin in preventing dehydration and aiding in the repair to the extra cellular matrix that is often damaged due to UV exposure and chronological aging. The Medical Industry uses Hyaluronic Acid for wound healing as the structure of the compound facilitates the reformation of the scaffolding of the skin.
In its topical application, the compound works as a humectant thereby trapping water vapour from the environment, providing long-term hydration and preventing the skin from drying out.
As a glycosaminoglycan, studies also show that the compound will stimulate Collagen and Elastin within the dermis, giving rise to the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles which is another reason it is widely used in topical formulations – but is every Hyaluronic Acid formulation active enough to bring about results? Not entirely.
The molecule is large in its structure and certain formulations will cause the molecule to expand before it enters the skin, meaning it will only sit superficially. To ensure proper absorption, cosmeceuticals use the building block of Hyaluronic Acid – a salt form - Sodium Hyaluronate.
Sodium Hyaluronate is much smaller in size and has a low molecular weight making it more viable for deep penetration. Sodium Hyaluronate is proven to penetrate the dermis where it attracts water into the extra cellular matrix, creating deep hydration and ‘plumping up’ the dermis by increasing the volume and density which supports the extra cellular matrix thereby reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Among the skin structure and hydrating benefits, Sodium Hyaluronate, and in turn, Hyaluronic Acid, also offers a balancing effect on the skin aiding in the stimulation of microcirculation.
When stimulating microcirculation there will be nutritional support to the upper layers of the skin which encourages faster healing and better skin health. Due to its repairing and restorative properties it stimulates and facilitates Collagen synthesis and is very successful in calming stressed and irritated skins – whether it be Rosacea, Eczema or Acne.
For these reasons, Hyaluronic Acid is found in the Dermaceutic Restore Action range and facilitates both Collagen synthesis post- peel and wound healing whilst providing much needed hydration.
UV rays are detrimental to the lifespan of Hyaluronic Acid – which is why sun exposure causes so much damage to the skin.
Dermaceutic has provided Hyaluronic Acid in Sun Ceutic 50+ to ensure that daily sun exposure causes minimum redness and Hyaluronic Acid breakdown within the skin.
Dermaceutic understands the role, functions and attributes of HA and has incorporated it into the product range to facilitate skin health whether it be post- treatment, long-term hydration or protection against UV damage. Hyaluronic Acid can be found across the Dermaceutic Restore Action range as well as in Sun Ceutic 50+.
