Introduction: After being absorbed by the skin, hyaluronic acid forms a unique three-dimensional structure, providing an excellent external environment for the synthesis of collagen and elastic fibers in the dermis. It can also absorb water molecules hundreds of times its own volume like a sponge. Due to the high technical content of this technology and the relatively long clinical trial phase, currently only ESMAY in Japan possesses this top-notch technology. Of course, research institutions in Shanghai and Jiangnan University in our country have also made qualitative progress in this field, and we look forward to further developments.
1. Introduction to Hyaluronic Acid:
Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan (HA), is a linear high molecular polysaccharide composed of disaccharide units of "glucuronic acid -N- acetylglucosamine". It is a substance naturally present in body tissues.
2. Important Functions of Hyaluronic Acid:
a) Maintaining Skin Elasticity:
Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance that fills the space between skin tissue cells and collagen fibers, keeping elastic fibers and collagen proteins in a moist environment. This improves the utilization rate of collagen protein, giving the skin elasticity.
b) Water Retention and Locking Ability:
Hyaluronic acid can also lock in a large number of water molecules, not only maintaining moisture within the skin but also capturing moisture from the external environment, allowing the skin to remain moist for a long time. This enhances the skin's water retention ability. Its moisturizing effect is 20 times that of collagen protein, earning it the title of "Moisture Queen" among skincare products.
3. Hyaluronic Acid Skincare:
However, with age, hyaluronic acid begins to deplete at the age of 18, accelerating after the age of 25. By the age of thirty, the hyaluronic acid content in the skin is only 65% of that of an infant, and by the age of sixty, it decreases to 25%. The loss of hyaluronic acid leads to the loss of moisture in the skin, causing the skin to become dehydrated, lose its luster and elasticity, and gradually develop wrinkles, roughness, dullness, spots, and other signs of aging.
4. How to Distinguish Good Hyaluronic Acid?
The concentration of the product cannot be used as a reference for choosing hyaluronic acid products. Purity, molecular weight, and 3D structure are the real factors affecting its water absorption effect.
a) Purity:
Currently, there are mainly three methods for producing hyaluronic acid: animal tissue extraction, microbial fermentation, and chemical synthesis. The advantage of microbial fermentation lies not only in eliminating heavy metals and allergy risks, preventing allergens, and avoiding skin allergies, but most importantly, its natural quality is far superior to that obtained through tissue extraction and chemical synthesis.
b) Molecular Weight:
Moisturizing and barrier functions are the dual missions of hyaluronic acid in skincare. Truly high-quality hyaluronic acid must be a combination of both high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid. High molecular weight hyaluronic acid forms a breathable film on the surface of the skin, preventing water loss and blocking bacteria and ultraviolet rays from entering. Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid penetrates into the skin, absorbing a large number of water molecules, achieving dual effects of hydration and locking in moisture, while also having anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
c) 3D Structure:
After being absorbed by the skin, hyaluronic acid forms a unique three-dimensional structure, providing an excellent external environment for the synthesis of collagen and elastic fibers in the dermis. It can also absorb water molecules hundreds of times its own volume like a sponge. Due to the high technical content and the relatively long clinical trial phase, currently only ESMAY in Japan possesses this top-notch technology. Of course, research institutions in Shanghai and Jiangnan University in our country have also made significant progress in this field, and we look forward to further developments.
Source: The Amazing Moisturizing Factor - Hyaluronic Acid