How many types of hyaluronic acid are there?
We’ve shared our love for hyaluronic acid with you in the past. It’s a truly remarkable skincare ingredient that offers a host of benefits, such as smoothing fine lines, locking in moisture, and giving skin an overall hydrated, youthful appearance. For more information and a full introduction to using this amazing ingredient, check out our dedicated blog post on hyaluronic acid and its skincare benefits.
However, now we’re going to explore how many types of hyaluronic acid there are, what the difference is between them, and how you should use them in your skincare routine. We’ll answer all of these questions and any others you may have by now, so let’s get started.
Is all hyaluronic acid the same?
Technically, there are three types of hyaluronic acid molecules found in skincare:
Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid
Sodium acetylated hyaluronate
Sodium hyaluronate
Your favorite hydrating serums and moisturizers undoubtedly contain a generous blend of hyaluronic acid molecules to give the product maximum benefits. All three hyaluronic acid molecules share the same hydrating properties and are humectants, which is basically their superpower. Once they are applied to the skin, they can absorb moisture from the environment and absorb it into your face, locking moisture into the upper layers of the skin.
However, there are some differences between the hyaluronic acid molecules that are added to many skincare products, specifically between hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate. Both are collectively referred to as “hyaluronic acid” in the beauty world, but the main difference is that sodium hyaluronate has a smaller molecule size, which allows it to penetrate the skin faster. Sodium hyaluronate is actually the salt form of hyaluronic acid, and is water-soluble, meaning it can absorb 1,000 times its weight in water. This also makes sodium hyaluronate a more stable molecule to add to skincare, as it is less likely to oxidize. However, there is a downside to this type of hyaluronic acid, as the higher its percentage in a formula, the sooner the skin will begin to dry out. Keep in mind that it is best to avoid using more than 4% sodium hyaluronate to prevent unwanted skin drying reactions, as too much can strip the skin of moisture it already has. Due to its stability, it is used in skincare products along with other hyaluronic acid molecules to make the formula more balanced and effectively hydrate the skin.
Which form of hyaluronic acid is best?
This is a very tricky question because narrowing down the pros and cons of each hyaluronic acid molecule is more difficult than you might think. The advantage of the three different hyaluronic acids is that they blend well with each other and moisturize the skin, binding the surrounding moisture and maintaining the proper function of its protective barrier.
Introducing hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine is much easier than you might think. HA has no age limit and you will see many anti-aging and nourishing benefits of these hero ingredients. If you are over 25 and have not noticed any obvious signs of aging, using hyaluronic acid will delay the appearance of visible fine lines and wrinkles on your skin. Older people who may have noticed signs of aging will find that HA not only smooths the skin tone, but also delays thinning and sensitivity of the skin, improving the overall appearance of the face. So as long as you include products containing hyaluronic acid in your skincare routine, you are already getting the powerful moisturizing effects of this wonderful ingredient.
What percentage of hyaluronic acid is effective?
Technically, there is no foolproof way to clearly indicate the amount of hyaluronic acid in a skincare formula. In some cases, you may find a claim of 90% hyaluronic acid in the ingredient list or marketing of certain products, which is not entirely accurate. As we mentioned before, when the HA molecule Sodium Hyaluronate is present at levels above 4%, the skin can become very drying. Products such as serums, moisturizers, and cleansers actually contain about 1-2% hyaluronic acid mixed in a solution with a high water content. This not only affects the skin by moisturizing the outer layer, but also supports the hydrating properties of the HA molecule mixture by drawing moisture from surrounding products applied to the skin. By diluting the percentage, you also have a greater chance of avoiding a drying skin reaction and keeping its microlayer intact and functional, meaning free radicals or other skin damaging factors cannot penetrate.
If you find that the percentage of hyaluronic acid in your over-the-counter skincare product is still not providing the hydration you need, then a visit to a dermatologist should be your next step. Note that we also recommend patch testing any new products you add to your daily skincare routine to avoid reactions.
We hope that you now have a clearer understanding of how many different types of hyaluronic acid there are, what effects you can expect when using it in different skincare products, and the formulas that produce radiant and plumping effects when using hyaluronic acid. If you want to learn more about hyaluronic acid, how it works and how it compares to chemical peels, you can learn all about the skincare benefits of AHAs and BHAs in a dedicated blog post.
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DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.