Unlocking the Hyaluronic Secret: The key to your skin's hydration
In the vast world of skincare, amidst shelves brimming with promises of youth and radiance, one ingredient stands out for its remarkable ability to quench your skin's thirst: Hyaluronic Acid. But how well do you really know this skincare superstar or how to identify which are worthy of buying?
Discovering the Magic of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid isn't just another fancy term in skincare jargon; it's the holy grail of hydration. Acting as a magnet for moisture, this wonder ingredient attracts can bind up to 1.000 times its weight in water, leaving your skin feeling plump, smooth, and incredibly hydrated.
Did you know your body naturally produces hyaluronic acid but we lose on average around one third of this each day ? therefore it’s important we keep this topped up to avoid severe dehydration of the skin. We can trigger natural receptors of producing this further with in salon treatments such as regular microneedling or Crystal Clear’s Skinstorm ( a unique microneedling method that incorporates dissolvable oxygen and a secret potent hyaluronic serum being placed deep into the skin).
But here's the catch: not all hyaluronic acids are created equal. The secret lies in the initial quality of the hyaluronic ingredient that manufacturers choose to use, there are different levels based on the price (usually a 1% or 2% strength.) This will then be mixed with other ingredients to create the final product.
It's all about concentration. Higher potency equals better performance. Lesley's advice? Don't be swayed by fancy packaging, clever marketing or extravagant claims. Dive into the ingredient list. Less ingredients and the higher up the list your hyaluronic ranks, the more concentrated it will be.
The listing on your product has to be ranked in order of quantities of ingredient , with the top being the highest, the end of the list being the least. Therefore if a hyaluronic ingredient appears half way down or more, there is actually very little of it in the product.
Choosing Wisely: Decoding Product Labels
Ever found yourself lost in a sea of skincare products, unsure which one will truly deliver? Lesley Wilks, our skincare expert, sheds light on what really matters when it comes to choosing the right hyaluronic acid serum.
The 3 different forms of hyaluronic you may see on your list to look for are:
Hyaluronic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic
Did you know?
A low weight hyaluronic penetrates deeper into the skin as the molecules are smaller and will hydrate and plump your skin more , whilst a high weight will lay on the surface more making the skin feel tight.
A Closer Look at the Lineup
Let's dissect some popular products on the market:
• Beauty Pie's Triple Hyaluronic Acid(£24) boasts a tempting price tag, but with 31 ingredients, the hyaluronic acid takes a backseat and is quite misleading I feel as it contains 3 types of hyaluronic, not triple strength as you may be led to believe.
• Image Skincare's Pure Hyaluronic Filler(£109) may come with a hefty price, but its six forms of HA pack a punch in a concise list of 19 ingredients.
• The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (£8.80) offers affordability , with 17 ingredients and a notable presence of sodium hyaluronate.
• Dr. Barbara Sturm's Hyaluronic Serum (£265) commands attention with its luxurious price tag, but its sodium hyaluronate ranks only fifth in the ingredient list.
• Habitual Skin's 1% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum(£43) strikes a balance between efficacy and simplicity, with six ingredients and sodium hyaluronate taking third place.
• Crystal Clear's 98% Pharmagrade Hyaluronic Acid(£84) leads the pack with a concise list of four ingredients, their hyaluronic being 2nd making it a potent choice for serious hydration.
The Final Verdict
Armed with this knowledge, you're now equipped to make informed choices for your skincare regimen. Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to radiant, hydrated skin. Remember, when it comes to skincare, knowledge is truly power.
Lesley Wilks, Skincare Expert
