Hyaluronic acid has been gathering a lot of interest lately, and rightly so. Not so long ago there was a lot of hype around collagen which, while well deserved, left HA flying relatively under the radar. Understandably there’s also a lot of confusion around hyaluronic acid, such as, what is it, what does it actually do, is it safe?. Even the name makes it sound a bit odd and potentially dangerous — which it absolutely isn’t, despite the word “acid” being in its title.

We’re big fans of the stuff for several reasons, so we wanted to give you an uncomplicated overview of this miraculous substance, and give you a brief rundown of everything you need to know.

What is Hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is actually a substance that occurs naturally in the body, in which it acts as a kind of cushion or lubricant in the joints and other connective tissues. Not only does it keep the joints and tissues hydrated/lubricated but it can also have a positive effect on the body’s ability to heal itself. Similar to collagen, which is another integral player when it comes to both joint/tissue health as well as a youthful appearance, our body’s natural production of HA begins to decrease as we get older (not to mention depleted by external environmental factors too).

How does hyaluronic acid work?

HA has a rather unique ability to draw and retain large amounts of moisture. In fact, a single gram of hyaluronic acid has the ability to hold up to six litres of water. So, by retaining the moisture of surrounding fluids, it actually keeps tissues lubricated. Imagine what that means for skincare. It can quite literally draw moisture from the air to your skin! If that isn’t impressive, we don’t know what is.

How to use hyaluronic acid.

There are two ways that you can use hyaluronic acid — orally and topically. You can purchase oral supplements, but these are more targeted to helping keep joints supple. Or, and particularly in the context of skincare, it can be used topically and applied on to the skin.

Is hyaluronic acid safe?

HA is perfectly safe to use in correct amounts. When it comes to topical application, all you need to do is follow the instructions provided for the product and not stray from the recommended usage. For example, if the product label recommends 2-3 drops, don’t go and use a palm full of the stuff on your face. You can trust us to do the heavy lifting when it comes to product research and testing, so just follow our lead.

Is hyaluronic acid good for your skin?

The answer is unequivocally yes. Not only will it offer intense hydration, which leaves the skin feeling and looking softer and more plump, but it also reduces signs of ageing. When the skin is hydrated, it lessens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also acts as a shield against free radicals, protecting your skin from further environmental damage. The healing properties of HA can also help to reduce the appearance of scars. Additionally, it’s suitable for all skin types, even those with very dry or super sensitive skin will benefit from introducing hyaluronic acid into their skincare routine.

Land & Lore restorative serum

Our restorative serum is the perfect vehicle for delivering the benefits of HA to your skin. The beauty of having hyaluronic acid in serum form is that it’s simple to use. The portable dropper bottle makes it easy to administer the elixir drop by drop, so there is no chance of accidental spills. Take it wherever you go, whether you’re camping or mountain climbing to keep your skin hydrated for hours on end.