Hyaluronic Acid

May 1, 2023

Hyaluronic Acid

You’ve may have heard about this substance, but what is it, and why should you know?
In this News post we will answer these questions:

What is hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate?
Where can you find hyaluronate in the body?
How does hyaluronate work?
Why is hyaluronate able to attract and retain moisture?

On the practical side:

What is an optional skincare routine - applying hyaluronate in layers
Products that Skyezone produces with hyaluronate
Making a 100% natural face lotion with hyaluronate

1. What is hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate?

Sodium Hyaluronate or Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural compound, and a vital component of human body to maintain moisture levels. As we age, our bodies produce less HA, leading to dry skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and joint discomfort. Fortunately, it can be replenished to improve skin hydration & skin plumpness, leading to a more youthful appearance. Not in weeks, but almost immediately!

2. Where can you find Hyaluronate in the body?

Hyaluronate is found naturally in both the lacrimal fluid of the eye and the synovial fluid of the knee joints.
In the eye, hyaluronate is a major component of the lacrimal fluid, which helps to keep the surface of the eye moist and lubricated. This is important for maintaining healthy vision and preventing dry eye syndrome.

In the knee joint, hyaluronate is a major component of the synovial fluid, which helps to lubricate and cushion the joint during movement. Injections of hyaluronate can also be used as a treatment for knee osteoarthritis to help reduce pain and improve joint function.

The hyaluronate used in skincare products is typically derived from plant or microbial sources and is formulated to be compatible with the skin. While there are similarities between the hyaluronate found in different parts of the body, it's important to note that they are not interchangeable for medical vs cosmetic purposes.

3. How does hyaluronate work?

When applied topically to the skin, in a gel like form, hyaluronate works by attracting and retaining water molecules at an intracellular level, which helps to plump up and hydrate the skin. This helps to improve overall skin texture and tone. HA’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects also help to protect the skin from environmental damage and soothe irritation, making it a must have ingredient for quality skin care!

4. Why is Hyaluronate able to attract & retain moisture?

As a necessary component of connective tissue, Hyaluronate belongs to a protein family called glycos-amino-glycans (GAG.) Its molecular structure helps the body retain water, (moisturisation) which in turn aids the transport of molecules at a microscopic level throughout the body.
Glycosaminoglycan is a long chain sugar molecular structure, repeated many times. This chain is then bound to a protein backbone to form a larger molecule called a proteo-glycan.
Hyaluronate's ability to attract and retain moisture is due to the presence of hydrophilic (water-attracting) groups along its sugar chain. These groups are negatively charged, which allows hyaluronate to attract and bind to water molecules, forming a gel-like substance that helps to keep tissues hydrated and lubricated.

In addition to its water-binding properties, hyaluronate also helps to regulate the movement of water within tissues. It has been shown to form a network of fibres that create spaces between cells, allowing water and nutrients to flow freely through tissues while maintaining their structure.
The elements that make up hyaluronate are carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O). The formula (C₁₄H₂₁NO₁₁)_n indicates that each repeating disaccharide unit contains 14 carbon atoms, 21 hydrogen atoms, 11 oxygen atoms, and 1 nitrogen atom.

Hyaluronic acid, comes as a low molecular weight white powder, which can be processed into a gel then incorporated effectively in serums, lotions, creams, and masks to improve:

1. The skin's texture,

2. Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,

3. Increase skin firmness and elasticity.

5. An optimal skincare routine – applying hyaluronate in layers
Serums are designed to deliver potent ingredients to your skin, and the lightweight texture of a serum makes it easier for the active ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin. When using a serum with hyaluronate, apply it evenly to your face, around the eyes and neck and allow a few moments for it to absorb in, but no need to rub it in.
While hyaluronate can provide deep hydration to the skin, it's a good idea to follow up with a moisturiser to lock in the hydration and provide additional nourishment to your skin.

6. Skyezone Products with hyaluronate

Day Restore Face Moisturiser | Night | Regen-Ultra | Honey Dew
Vit C Serum | Vit C Serum
Blokes Face Moisturiser | Banish lip Lines
Hand Repair

7. Make a simple, 100% Natural Face Lotion, with hyaluronate
This formulation contains aloe vera gel and jojoba oil, which are both excellent natural moisturizers for the skin. Vegetable glycerin is a natural humectant that helps to draw moisture to the skin, while hyaluronic acid provides intense hydration and helps to plump up & tone the skin. Lavender essential oil is known for its calming and soothing properties while also providing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. Frankincense has skin healing, balancing and anti-aging properties.
Scroll down to check Notes below before proceeding *

Equipment:

Small glass or stainless-steel bowl
Spatula
Container to hold prepared lotion.

Ingredients:

6.3gm /1 Teaspn Glycerin (plant based) - Humectant
0.25gm / ¼ Teaspn Hyaluronic acid powder (not more than 1%)- Active hydration
25gm / 1 Tablespn jojoba oil - Lipid
37gm / 2 Tablespn Aloe vera gel - Moisturiser
0.25gm / 5 Drops Lavender essential oil (or E.oil of your choice) – Active & fragrance
0.1gm / 2 Drops Frankincense essential oil (or E.oil of your choice)- Active

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, place vegetable glycerin.

2. Sprinkle in hyaluronic powder and make a smooth slurry, prevent clumps forming.

3. Add jojoba oil, combine, without adding air bubbles – to smooth paste

4. Slowly add aloe gel and combine.

5. Add the lavender and tea tree essential oils and mix well.

6. Optional: add preservative / tocopherol – see notes*

7. Transfer the mixture to a sterilized container, such as a glass jar or airless pump bottle.

8. Store the moisturizer in a cool, dark place and use as needed.

*NOTES:

Makes approx. 65ml
If possible, for accuracy, measure by gm weight, even for fluids. Oils and essential oils have different molecular weight. Water is one of the very few exceptions where 1gm = 1ml
If ‘fish- eyes’ form with the hyaluronate powder they cannot be removed, so carefully mix into the glycerin - humectant to make a smooth paste before adding other ingredients.
*This simple formulation does not include a natural preservative for longer shelf life, but if desired this can be added.
Recommendation: Use 0.8% of either Grapeseed extract, Plantaserve E, or Naticide.
*Tocopherol (Vit E ) can be included a at .8% to further preserve the integrity of the essential oils.
*To calculate how much preservative to add: ie 0. 8% x 65% (total amount)= 0.52gm of preservative to add.