Must-Haves: 6 Hyaluronic Acids for the Season

Me, watching Strictly.

So the cold weather is definitely here (in the UK). We've had a gas leak this week (my house, not the UK), meaning the authorities came out and literally capped us off. We have no heating. hot water or cooker, and won't for a few more days. As much as I am giving myself a daily heart attack with ice showers, I am sadistically enjoying the cold cleansing. A wiser person would boil the kettle and fill the sink, alas, yours truly is cleansing with ice-cold water, acid'ing and then going to town with hyaluronic acids. My skin is traditionally dehydrated at this time of year anyway, and this week it has honestly felt a tad 'prune-ish', so I've been digging out all of my HA products, which reminded me that I meant to do this post before it got deep into winter...

Hyaluronic Acid is present in our skin, but sadly our ability to both produce it and hold on to it decreases as we age. Its function in the skin however, isn't to simply 'moisturise'. It's much more important than that. HA is probably the single most multi-tasking ingredient we use in skincare. Although it does hydrate by holding moisture on the skin, it also works as an antioxidant, prevents loss of elasticity, stimulates collagen and plumps the appearance of the skin. Crucial at this time of year, it is also anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, key for those of you that suffer from broken skin conditions whether from spots, acne, eczema, rosacea or perioral dermatitis.

There are numerous HA products on the market, and in the case of most of them, you do get what you pay for. Hyaluronic acid comes in all sizes, and in general, the smaller, the more able to penetrate, the more expensive. One size literally does not fit all.
Adding to that is the difference between hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate. One is hyaluronic acid, while SH is a salt derived from HA. Sodium hyaluronate is cheaper to produce, so is used more widely, but it's more easily absorbed than HA, so it's good to have both options if you can. In truth there are so many differing options for HA and SH that it's best to test if you can, or go on recommendations, whether from a blogger, or a friend. Not all HA products are created equally.

With that in mind, some of my picks of hyaluronic acid products are below - and I've listed them in chronological order, for fun:

• Hydraluron. £24.99 for 30ml from Boots.
  There was a time when this was called Hironsluron by readers, such was my love for it. While I've cheated on it with other products in recent years, I still happily recommend it. In terms of ease of use and how comfortable it feels on the skin, still a winner. Contains one form of HA: Sodium Hyaluronate
• Hylamide. £18.00 for 30ml from Boots.
  First out of the trap from Deciem, Hylamide is in a dropper form, contains five forms of hyaluronic compounds, all in sodium form. Good, softeneing and smoothing.
• Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum. £36.00 for 30ml from PestleandMortar.com
  A simple serum, you need the teeniest amount under a moisturiser to feel the benefits. Spreads easily, absorbs beautifully. Healed my skin in two days this week. 
• Jordan Samuel Hydrate Serum. $29.00 for 30ml
  This one is hyaluronic acid and works a dream. Jordan's range is small but packs a punch. Like 80s guitar bands, I've never met a product of his that I didn't like. Note: Jordan is in the middle of repackaging his line so this will be back in stock by mid-December. Worth the wait.
• NIOD Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Complex. £38.00 for 30ml
  12 forms of hyaluronic compounds so at the higher end price-wise. The most complicated formula with a great result. Hard to fault.
• The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
  New from Brandon, the man who also makes Hylamide and NIOD, The Ordinary has understandably taken the beauty world by storm because of its pricing structure. This HA contains sodium hyaluronate and in comparison to the elder NIOD MMHC is nowhere near as effective. However, it's still as effective as a lot of other, more expensive HA serums on the market so if budget is your main concern, better with than without. Just make sure you apply your moisturiser quickly after it to help maximise the benefits.

*This post contains some affiliate links. If you are happy to click on them and support the blog, thank you very much. If you would rather not, just google the product. It's all good. See my full disclaimer here: http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.

Cheat Sheet - Winter Skin

Source

I've had numerous requests for advice recently about winter skin and what to do/not to do.

The change from warm to cold to central heating to cold to office to travel to central heating etc can really make your skin feel like it's 'burning'. 

Here are just a few tips that may may help.

• Treat the skin like you do your clothing, if you're layering clothing, layer your skincare. You need a skincare 'wardrobe' at this time of year more than any other.
  Cleanse, Tone, Serum, Oil, Cream, Protectant and/or balm. How much and when you use all of these depends on your skin but a general rule of thumb is if it's still absorbing, keep going (the only thing to be aware of is layering silicone as it will inevitably 'peel' or 'roll').
• Don't over-cleanse. Your skin needs all the moisture it can get at this time of year. If you're dry/sensitive and you are using harsh cleansers suitable for the summer months AND overusing something like a Clarisonic - your skin may be very unforgiving.
• Avoid alcohol-heavy products. It's one thing to have a toner showing alcohol denat at the very end of the inci list - its another to have alcohol as the main ingredient. 
• If you love a face wash (foaming) - try and change to a cleansing milk while the weather is so cold. You can buy a milk for oily skin if you need it. 
• Even better, use oils and balms. Natural ones. No mineral oil. An oily skin can use an oil designed for its specific type. 
• You should NEVER aim for 'squeaky clean' anything, be it hair or skin. If you have this feeling after washing/cleansing, you really need to stop/rethink what you are using..
• Exfoliate regularly. Face and body. Topical exfoliants in liquid form are far more effective than scrubs. Use toners or pads with AHA acids twice a day and follow with a spray of a hydrating toner containing glycerin and/or hyaluronic acid before you apply your serum and you'll feel a difference after one day.
• Ensure you are taking omega oils to help your skin internally. Fish are the best - flax are a good second for vegetarians.
• Do continue to use face masks - but go for more hydrating ones as opposed to clay ones. If you have a combination skin use your clay mask and go straight in afterwards with a hydrating one for a good boost.
• If you are a shower person - don't be tempted to stand under a hot shower to warm up. Your skin will not thank you for it. Keep it warm-hot, not boiling!
• If you suffer from psoriasis or eczema it it likely that you will experience a worsening of symptoms in the colder months. Make sure your shower/bath products are as irritant free as possible, avoid tumble dryer sheets and moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!!!
• And finally - don't forget your Vitamin D. I've posted about Vitamin D previously here - top up, keep happy!