Are You High on Hyaluronic Acid?

By BR Kellie

Hyal-.  Hyaluron. Higheruron-. I don’t know how much the girls get paid to say that word on the beauty ads, but it’s not enough. But what’s the deal with this unpronounceable word? Why is it all the rage? Where did it come from anyway? And do we need it? 

Hyaluronic Acid (so much easier to write than say) is actually found in us (as well as other living things). It’s in the connective tissue of our bodies, as well as in eye fluid, and it cushions and lubricates joints. I know! Here we were thinking it was just some amazing stuff we’re meant to apply onto our skin to make us look younger. Of course, it’s good for that too. 

So what makes Hyaluronic acid such a must-have? Well it has this nifty ability to hold 1000 times its weight in water, which is why it’s so good at keeping our skin nice and plump … until we age anyway. Because, wouldn’t you know it, like so many awesome things about ageing (and yes the sarcasm is real) the older you get the less hyaluronic acid you have, which roughly translates to the older you get the less plump your skin will be, which is why opting to use a serum or moisturiser with hyaluronic acid in it is a great idea if you want to continue enjoying youthful looking skin, either that or you can see a skin specialist for fillers. 

Now there’s a revelation. Who knew that some dermal fillers contained hyaluronic acid? Not me, until now. Which actually makes them seem a lot less scary. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers can be injected into specific areas of your face to plump up fine lines and wrinkles, filllips, and even improve areas of skin where volume has been lost.

So I know what you’re thinking? Does that mean I’m putting human goo into or onto my face? Does that make me kind of a cannibal? Feel free to breathe a sigh of relief, because nope. So far the scientists are leaving our hyaluronic acid alone. The hyaluronic acid you find in beauty products is usually scientifically manufactured so that it’s identical to the hyaluronic acid found in our bodies. I say ‘usually’ because it can come from a few sources, including the red combs of roosters, which is why if you’re an animal lover it may pay to check the origin of the hyaluronic acid in the product you’re buying.

So what products are out there that we can get our hands on to try this miracle molecule? Neutrogena’s Hydroboost range is a hyaluronic hit. Hydraplenish offers a Hyaluronic Acid Serum, which has the added bonus of the Vitamin C. If you really want to give your skin a treat check out Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex, which brims with the good stuff.

So do tell, has one of the cosmetic world’s most hard-to-say words graced your face yet? What did you think of it? Are you considering giving it a go? Would you use it to plump up your lips? So many questions… I want to know your answers!