Before I suggest a topic for the column Doctor Josselin I first ask some people around me. It may be a well-known concept to me, but that doesn't mean the rest thinks so too. Just like for example  the term hyaluronic acid. No beauty presentation goes by without this term being repeated about 33 times, and it is prominently displayed on a package. What it is, well, actually very simple, but nice to know.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is actually just a substance that is naturally present in the body. You already have it. It is produced in your joints, heart valves, and eyes.

Why then?

Well, that's a good question. Many people have too little moisture in their bodies, and that needs to be compensated. It is a naturally occurring substance that stimulates the production of collagen and oils which makes the skin tighter and shinier. And because collagen is produced, it will also slightly conceal wrinkles or reduce their occurrence.

The solution for dry skin

A dry skin can be caused by various factors. For example, by low humidity, but also by aggressive cleansers, showering too much, or scrubbing too often. It needs to be solved, and then it sounds logical to pump some extra water into your body. That's not the case, because that would be too easy. Water actually dries out your skin. You need to ensure that you use products that restore and strengthen your skin. Hydrating substances like hyaluronic acid bring the moisture balance back to normal and prevent moisture from evaporating from the skin. That’s why hyaluronic acid is such an incredibly popular ingredient in beauty products. They firm the skin again by stimulating collagen production. You see it a lot in anti-wrinkle creams. It's nice, but they don't make all those wrinkles disappear. They do ensure that the skin is extremely hydrated and retains moisture, which ultimately does have some influence on those wrinkles. So apply it. The code word.

Plus point

Hyaluronic acid can hold up to thirty times its own weight in water, which helps the skin maintain its moisture content. We want that, because it means we don't have a sagging and dry skin, but an incredibly nice, and welcome, youthful face. It is also very nice that hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance, which greatly reduces the chance of skin irritation or allergy.