Hyaluronic Acid - Every Skin's Best Friend

If you keep your ears to the ground in beauty matters, the ingredient hyaluronic acid should be something that is familiar to you. Often touted as a "fountain of youth" component of skincare, hyaluronic acid can be found in skin lotions, creams, serums, and is used as an injectable dermal filler, but what exactly is it? 

The Skin's Natural Moisture Absorber

Hyaluronic acid is a carbohydrate that is found in extracellular spaces in the skin, and is also present in the eyes and joints. It acts as a humectant - a moisture absorber - and is crucial for the plump fullness of the skin. This naturally occurring polysaccharide is abundant in young skin, but as the skin ages and hyaluronic acid content diminishes, the skin's ability to retain moisture also decreases, which leads to poor skin health and appearance. Replacing the lost hyaluronic acid in the skin can help to restore skin plumpness, firmness and suppleness. Hyaluronic acid can also improve skin elasticity, improve skin healing, and help repair the effects of free radical damage. 

The Key Component In Dermal Fillers

Hyaluronic acid used in dermatology is manufactured to imitate the molecular structure of the skin's hyaluronic acid. Since this substance is inert (the body doesn't react to it), it is very safe to be injected into the skin and is a common ingredient of dermal fillers. When injected into the skin, the hyaluronic acid absorbs water and holds it in place, thus reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, or adding volume where it is needed. Some filler products like Restylane Skinboosters are designed not to reshape the face, but to give the skin a healing, rejuvenating boost of moisture. 

Are Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizers Effective?

Injections are the best way to give the skin a hyaluronic acid boost, but applying it on the skin can be beneficial too. Despite hyaluronic acid being a large molecule, it is readily absorbed by the skin. You won't see the dramatic, instant or deeply-moisturising effects of an injectable treatment, but topical hyaluronic acid hydrates, heals and smoothes the skin with frequent use. Since pure hyaluronic acid serums don't rely on the humectant (moisture-holding) power of oil components, it has the added benefit of being a moisturizer that everyone can use, no matter their skin type or sensitivity, as well as being great for post-laser care. 

Try A Pure Hyaluronic Moisturizer

Want to try the benefits of hyaluronic acid for yourself? Try Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre's hot bestseller 100% Pure Hyaluronic Moisturizer, available at Beverly Medical Centre. Another perenial favorite is Viscontour Serum, by Sanofi-Aventis, available in single-use vials from the best aesthetic medical clinics.

- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. 
To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page, visit Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre's website at http://www.beverlywilshiremedical.com or drop him an email at cosmedmd@gmail.com