Ingredient Spotlight- Hyaluronic Acid

Hyalu.... What?!?!  What is Hyaluronic Acid and why is everyone in skincare talking about it?  ​

Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring compound in the human body.  Much of it resides in our joints and other tissues to keep them lubricated and hydrated.  Hyaluronic Acid is also very prevalent in both the dermal (deep skin layer) and epidermal (superficial layer) layers our skin, making up about 50% of our body's total HA.  How does it work, you ask?  Hyaluronic Acid is one of natures most hydrophilic molecules, which means it LOVES water!!  HA can hold up to 1000 times its' weight in water, making it an excellent moisturizer.  It does this job by capturing and absorbing water in its' jello-like grasp as it tries to evaporate from the skin.  

Unfortunately, like every other mechanism in the body, Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen production slows as we age.  If these precious Collagen Fibers aren't constantly being bathed in water they dry up and lose elasticity leaving skin looking rough and saggy.  Here is where HA Skincare products come to the rescue!  Well formulated products can penetrate into the epidermis and replace the Hyaluronic Acid production that the body can't keep up with.  This will help keep your collagen healthy and happy, plump up fine lines and wrinkles, and moisturize the driest of skin.  

Though HA can really make dry skin sing, it is also beneficial for oily skin.  It is commonly misunderstood the difference between Dry Skin and Dehydrated Skin.  Any skin type can be dehydrated or lacking in water.  The body's only defense against water loss if the natural Hyaluronic Acid stores aren't enough is to produce more oil to try to seal the water in.  Dehydration is often the culprit when adults claim to have oily skin.  There are actually very few people over 30 who naturally have oily skin.  It is almost always dehydration causing oil glads to over act.  Putting water back into the skin allows oil production to normalize for a more balanced complexion.  Dry Skin, on the other hand, doesn't produce enough oil to prevent water loss which makes getting moisture into the skin so much more difficult.  Not only do you need more Hyaluronic Acid to hold water deep in the skin, you need some kind of occlusive agent like oils and butters to help seal it all in. Depending on how sensitive your skin is and it's propensity to break out, you may have to play with a few moisturizers until you find the right blend of oils that's right for you.

Be wary when purchasing Hyaluronic Acid Products though.  Not all HA products can actually absorb to a depth that allows them to do any good.  Hyaluronic Acid is made up of potentially thousands of carbohydrate molecules linked together.  If these sugar chains aren't broken up to an appropriate size or attached to some kind of delivery molecule they will never do more than sit on the surface of you skin.  So be skeptical of an HA product that seems too good to be true.  At the very least, ask more questions before you buy.

At Holladay Spa, we offer many products with this coveted molecule.  At the top of the list is our  HA+Collagen Serum.  This powerhouse uses hyaluronic filling sphere technology to get the HA right as deep into your skin as possible.  It is blended with Marine Collagen for an extra moisture boost and Multi Peptides to encourage new, healthy collagen production.  This oil free formula is a great Anti-Aging addition to any skincare routine, including Sensitive and Oily Skin Types.

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