Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the skin but is depleted as we age, leading to loss of moisture, elasticity and collagen. People using it, notice their skin is much "dewier" like young skin, bags under eyes are reduced and skin texture is smoother. 

It is a potent skin hydrator, anti-aging, wrinkle fighter and collagen booster.  Clinical tests have shown reductions in skin sagging, improvement in cheekbone contours, lip volume and decreased wrinkle depth and volume with placebo groups showing no such improvements. It's also helpful for soothing acne, rosacea, bites and sunburn as well as fostering wound and burn repair.

A guide to hyaluronic acid concentrations:

More concentrated is not necessarily better with Hyaluronic Acid.  Clinical research has shown that a concentration in a range of 1% to 2% is the ideal. 

0.5%: clinically effective, minimum needed for results - used in most skincare creams and gels where several other ingredients are included.   

1%: ideal for dropper bottle as very liquid. 

1.25%: starting to thicken slightly and become more gel like, not so easy to use in a dropper bottle but works well in a serum pump. 

1.5%: a little thicker gel still and starting to get difficult to pour and get last amounts out of bottle. 

2%: much thicker gel, impossible to pour so only suitable as part of a lotion or cream

[NOTE: beware of products that are very liquid and claiming a concentration of 2% or more]

Hyaluronic acid formulations should contain hyaluronic acid of low molecular weight to allow penetrability into the skin.  

Botanically sourced hyaluronic acid is produced from by-products of corn or wheat and yeast fermentation. Vegans beware, often hyaluronic acid is from animal sources including rooster combs.