Is Hyaluronic Acid Serum a Waste of Money?
Is Hyaluronic acid worth it?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) has unique benefits that make it an important part of many skin care routines. HA is in creams, serums and toners.
It is an expensive ingredient so the products that containing it are usually costly.
Is it worth the price or can you use other humectants like glycerin instead?
What ingredients are better for your skin type than HA?
Should you choose exosomes, stem cells, glycerin, growth factors, or retinoids instead of HA? Or should you combine them with HA?
The answer depends upon which of the 16 Baumann Skin Types you are.
Take the Quiz
Types of Products with HA in them
There are several types of products worth using that have HA in them:
Face Creams
Serums
Toners
However, cleansers and body creams are not really worth it. Cleansers do not stay on long enough and there are cheaper options to use on the entire body.
Do Hyaluronic acid serums work?
HA serums are humectants that pull water to the skin’s surface. This immediately and temporarily plumps up the skin’s surface – erasing fine lines and wrinkles.
So- if you have date or a party or need to look your best- using an HA serum is worth it.
However, if you are getting photos done or shooting videos, HA serums and creams can give your skin a shiny appearance. So – HA serums are not great to use before going on camera.
But- when you need to look great quickly- HA serums are the best serum to use.
Hyaluronic acid serums have many benefits. But they may not be what you need.
When HA serums are worth the money?
Hyaluronic acid is not the best antiaging ingredient in skin care products.
Hyaluronic acid as an ingredient in skin care certainly does not have the exciting science and long-term results of exosomes. ( You can see my recent interview with Dr. Saranya Wyles a Dermatologist and Regenerative Medicine Physician about exosomes here on you tube.)
BUT
Hyaluronic acid has some good benefits:
It hydrates skin immediately and plumps away fine lines
It helps other skin care ingredients penetrate into the skin
So- if you choose to buy expensive skin care products such as exosomes, growth factors and Vitamin C serums, then a HA serum just might make the other antiaging aging ingredients work better.
Are expensive HA serums better than inexpensive cheap ones?
Expensive HA serums are not always better than cheap ones. It depends upon the size of HA in the product that accounts for how well a HA serum works.
Short low molecular weight HA helps other ingredients get into he skin
Long higher molecular weight HA stays on the skin’s surface, binding water and plumping the skin.
Many of the expensive HA serums such as SkinMedica and Skinceuticals combine different sizes of hyaluronic acid chains in their serums. This increases the price but has never been shown to make them work better.
Is an HA serum good for my skin?
It depends upon what your Baumann Skin Type is. You can take the free quiz and see which HA serums are right for you. Once you complete the quiz, you will receive a dermatologist recommended skin care routine that will tell you
If HA serums will work for your skin type
If a different antiaging serum is a better option
What step in your skin care routine you should use Hyaluronic acid skin care products
Take the Quiz
HA vs Growth Factors, Exosomes and Stem cells in skin care
HA can make these other ingredient work better but they have very different effects.
To understand this- first you need to know how stem cells, growth factors and exosomes work.
Click this link to learn more.
We DO NOT want you to waste money on the wrong skin care products- so- before you go buy an expensive HA serum- make sure it is worth it for you.
Be sure and shop by your Baumann Skin Type!
Take the Quiz
Glycerin vs Hyaluronic acid
Glycerin and HA are both humectants- but which is better?
They both have very good humectant capabilities
Glycerin affects hydration by moving between Aquaporin channels which HA does not. This means glycerin can move from skin cell to skin cell in the epidermis which gives it unique moisturizing abilities.
Both HA and glycerin increase penetration of other skin care ingredients.
How you layer HA and glycerin n the skin care routine is very important.
So glycerin and HA are very similar but glycerin is much more affordable.
You can use hyaluronic acid and glycerin together and it does not matter which comes first.
Heparan Sulfate vs Hyaluronic Acid
Both of thee antiaging ingredients are in the glycosaminoglycan (GAGs) category.
They are both humectants.
HA is a penetration enhancer.
Heparan sulfate helps cells communicate better.
Both are good ingredients.
They can be used together.
Is HA the best antiaging ingredient?
HA is not the best antiaging ingredient when used alone. However, it works best when combined with other antiaging ingredients such as retinol, niacinamide, and ascorbic acid.
Make sure you know your Baumann Skin Type. Once you do- we will help you shop for skin care and build a skin care routine.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.