What is hyaluronic acid and why do you need it?

Hyaluronic acid is the beauty buzzword of the year, but what is it and why do you need it? There are lots of trends in the beauty industry and it can be difficult, not to mention expensive, to keep up with it all, but hyaluronic acid is here to stay and that’s because of it’s amazing benefits!
 
Firstly, don’t let the name scare you off, hyaluronic acid is a moisturising miracle! Unlike the scary name suggests, it’s something our bodies naturally produce, and it plays a vital part in helping skin stay hydrated and plump. Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, which helps to moisturise and protect your skin.
 
So, what exactly is hyaluronic acid?
 
Otherwise known as sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar, or polysaccharide if you want to be fancy, that is present in our skin and connective tissue. A single molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, which is gradually released into the skin, so it plays a crucial role in helping skin stay plump and hydrated over a period of time.  
 
What does it do for skin?
 

• It improves and helps maintain hydration levels, giving your skin a firm, plump and healthy look.
• It exhibits antioxidant properties, which means it can help skin fight free radical damage.
• As a major structural component of skin, hyaluronic acid is really effective at helping to maintain elasticity – so if you’re worried about fine lines and wrinkles, it’ll work wonders.

 
How does it work?
 
Hyaluronic acid gradually releases hydration into the skin, in the process plumping, softening fine lines and giving skin an overall radiant look.
 
Who should I use it?
 
If you didn’t already have enough reasons to introduce hyaluronic acid to your skincare regime, you’ll also be pleased to know that it works well for a wide range of skin conditions due to how powerful yet gentle it is.
 

• Dehydrated skin benefits tremendously from water-based moisturisers like hyaluronic acid as it retains moisture and gradually releases it, so skin stays plump and hydrated all day.
• It’s also a great choice for anyone who wants to address signs of premature aging. We produce less hyaluronic acid as we age, so using it in our skincare routine is a fab way to combat fine lines and wrinkles and help maintain skin’s elasticity.
• Because it’s water-based and won’t clog pores, hyaluronic acid also makes an excellent moisturiser for sensitive or breakout-prone skin.

 
Can it burn your skin?
 
Absolutely not! Unlike many acids, hyaluronic acid doesn’t strip or exfoliate skin, instead, it delivers gentle, long-lasting hydration.
 
What products should I use?
 
To give your skin a serious hydration boost, we love:

• Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream – a best seller that features technology to infuse skin with 48 hours of continuous hydration and protect against environmental stress.
• Dermalogica Clear Start Skin Smoothing Hydrating Lotion – a lightweight moisturiser perfect for dehydrated, breakout-irritated skin 
• Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer - a daily, leave-on exfoliating treatment to brighten and tone all skin conditions
• Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum – A high-performance vitamin C serum that works with skin’s own defences to brighten and firm. 
• Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift – a cream-gel masque that energises skin to reduce visible signs of stress.

 
Head over to Dermalogica to read more or book in for a SkinSolver with one of our skincare experts who will advise on your skin type and what products will work for you.