What is hyaluronic acid anyway? It is a
naturally occurring molecule in your skin and connective tissue. Hyaluronic
acid is a natural polysaccharide in the human body. It acts as a buffer and
lubricant for our skin, hair, eyes, nerves and joints.
The beauty industry loves it for its
amazing ability to stay hydrated. One study shows that a gram of hyaluronic
acid can retain up to six liters of water. Lack of moisture is one of the main
causes of aging skin, which is why this ingredient is essential when repairing
the skin's moisture barrier.
There is a corresponding hyaluronic acid
called sodium hyaluronate. This is the salt form of hyaluronic acid, which is a
water-soluble salt that retains 1,000 times its weight in water. Ingredients in
the form of salts are more stable and less prone to oxidation.
Both HA and sodium hyaluronate are commonly
used in beauty products, but are all referred to "hyaluronic acid" by
marketing persons. However, there are some fundamental differences between
them. One of them is that sodium hyaluronate has smaller molecules that allow
it to penetrate the skin better.