What is hyaluronic acid?
To understand what this ingredient actually is (and more importantly, why we need it in our skincare routine), we spoke to L'Oréal Paris Global Scientific Director, Elisabeth Bouhadana, who explains what hyaluronic acid is in scientific terms: “Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar polymer that most of our skin cells produce. It acts like a molecular sponge, holding 1000 times its weight in water to retain moisture and maintain the skin’s natural plumpness and rebound.”
In other words, it helps maintain skin’s hydration levels, giving it a smooth, plump looking appearance and helping to reduce the signs of fine lines and wrinkles.
At what age should you start using hyaluronic acid?
We don’t mean to scare you, but science says collagen and elastin starts breaking down in the skin from our mid-20s, though the damage isn’t visible to the naked eye at that stage. From the age of 30 though, the quantity and quality of hyaluronic acid produced by skin cells starts to decrease.
“With less hyaluronic acid available in the skin structures, the skin has more difficulty keeping hydrated,” says Bouhadana. “That’s why using hyaluronic acid is perfect from the age of 25 as it instantly compensates for any depletion, but also helps stimulate production by your own cells.”
What should you look for when buying a product containing hyaluronic acid?
According to Bouhadana, it’s vital the product you choose packs a “pure and high concentration of HA (above 1%) with an indication of the molecular weight on the packaging.” Enter the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Serum, which boasts a non-greasy finish, rapid absorption, and most importantly, a scientifically formulated blend of two forms of hyaluronic acid.
“L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Serum contains macro hyaluronic acid, which helps to intensively rehydrate and smooth the skin’s surface by retaining up to 1000 times its weight in water,” Bouhdana explains. “Meanwhile, micro hyaluronic acid penetrates the skin more deeply, creating a plumping effect from within.”
Clinical studies of the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Serum further reveal a 47% reduction in overall wrinkles after 6 weeks* of usage, while from day one, skin is deeply hydrated, feels more plump and looks smoother. Sign us up!
How often should hyaluronic acid be used and where in a skincare regime does it sit?
According to Bouhdana, hyaluronic acid can and should be used every day. “Use morning and evening, always on a cleansed skin so that it can penetrate easily into the skin,” she says. “It can be used alone or before your usual moisturiser.”
Myth busting: Is it true that hyaluronic acid draws water away from the skin in cold climates?
Absolutely not, says Bouhadana, arguing that problems may actually arise if you don’t have enough hyaluronic acid in your skin tissue to slow down the dehydration process and keep the moisture in. “As a result you may lose water in your skin too fast,” she explains. “This could result in dehydration lines and expression appearing, first around the eyes and then elsewhere. So remember, whatever the age I recommend using an HA serum at high concentration.” Consider that myth officially (and scientifically) busted.
Finally, which skin types are suited to hyaluronic acid?
The good news is, hyaluronic acid definitely doesn’t discriminate. “All skin types can benefit from hyaluronic acid,” says Bouhadana.
*Clinical scorage, 53 women.
Brought to you by L'Oréal Paris.
