Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance in the body that is most abundant in the skin. When used in anti-aging products it has two main applications: as an injectable facial filler to reduce wrinkles and provide fuller lips and as a topical anti-aging product applied to the face. Applied topically it is an effective humectant because it is able to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. While topical HA is effective on its own, the best hyaluronic acid products often combine anti-aging and skin repair ingredients to produce the best results.

When you are looking for the best hyaluronic acid serum or cream available, you will come across numerous brands making diverse scientific claims about their products. In many cases, the products are very similar or even identical. Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that a compounding pharmacy can make into almost any combination with other anti-aging products. Skincare professionals can use this flexibility to get formulations customized to an individual’s skin concerns and skin type.

How is Hyaluronic Acid Used in Anti-Aging Products?

There are two main uses of hyaluronic acid for anti-aging purposes that are applied in different ways. Both use HA’s ability to retain moisture to improve the appearance of aged skin.

1. HA is used as an injectable dermal filler for age-related volume loss and to make lips fuller. Fillers like Juvederm and Restylane are hyaluronic acid products that can last from six months to one year depending on the filler composition. When hyaluronic acid is used as a filler it raises up areas of the skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and folds that come from decreased collagen production.
2. HA is used as a topical treatment in a cream or serum for fine lines, wrinkles, and dry skin. Skinceuticals is one company that produces several products with hyaluronic acid for anti-aging purposes.Hydrating B5 gel contains a combination of hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 that we also make at our pharmacy. When applied topically, this serum improves retention of moisture, improves the appearance of wrinkles, and enhances the skin’s ability to heal itself. Creams are also available with other anti-aging ingredients like in our peptide cream.

Our focus at Park Compounding Pharmacy is on topical HA in creams and serums as opposed to injectable dermal fillers. However, we do offer one of the best numbing creams for cosmetic treatments that can make injectable filler treatments more comfortable.

How Does Hyaluronic Acid Affect Aging?

Aged skin is the result of multiple factors both intrinsic and extrinsic. Youthful skin is smoother, tighter, and more resilient because of its ability to retain moisture. The skin loses this ability over time with the natural aging process and accumulated damage from the environment – especially sun damage.  Exposure to UV radiation from the sun is the primary cause of prematurely aged skin. HA levels in the epidermis decrease dramatically after years of damage along with the natural aging process. Since HA is crucial to the binding and retention of water molecules, when it is no longer present the skin quickly becomes dehydrated.

Hyaluronic Acid Topicals

Using hyaluronic acid topically is a great way to reduce signs of aging. HA is an especially good moisturizing ingredient because it retains so much water and is naturally produced in the body. Well-hydrated skin looks younger, smoother, and fuller. HA restores the skin’s ability to retain moisture, which improves the appearance of fine lines and decreases skin dryness.

Unlike some anti-aging products, hyaluronic acid is not irritating to the skin. Anti-aging products that exfoliate or change skin pigmentation like retinoic acid can sometimes cause skin dryness or inflammation. Hyaluronic acid topicals calm the skin through improved hydration and are usually well tolerated with daily use.

What is the Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum?

A hyaluronic acid serum can be used as an anti-aging treatment on its own or to enhance other daily moisturizers. Our hydrating B5 gel is one example of a highly effective serum that includes both hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5. Vitamin B5 is important to skin health and can repair damaged skin. A serum is different than a lotion-based moisturizer. Because it is higher potency only a few drops are applied at a time for the entire face.

What Is the Best Hyaluronic Acid Cream?

Based on feedback from doctors we have found that hyaluronic acid cream works best when combined with other ingredients. Here are a few of the ingredients we combine into a hyaluronic acid creams:

Vitamin C is important for collagen synthesis and sun protection. It has the ability to reduce sun damage like brown spots and improve the skin’s healing ability.

Argireline: This is a synthetic peptide that can help reduce wrinkles through improving collagen production.

DMAE: Helps tighten skin and improve skin firmness.

One of our more popular cream formulations is our peptide cream that includes hyaluronic acid 1%, DMAE 3%, argireline 3%, and Vitamin C. This formulation is especially effective at treating fine lines and wrinkles. The best hyaluronic acid cream for reducing the signs of aging will have multiple ingredients that treat different aspects of aged skin. Topical treatments with HA are not the only way to get a more youthful appearance, however. Other treatments that can help include chemical peels, creams with retinoic acid, and laser and light treatments available from skincare professionals.