The function of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is always about hydration and separation. Hydration because it holds on to water and separation because it acts as a structural component throughout the body.

HA can be found naturally in every tissue of your body. Nearly 50% of your body's HA is in your skin; there it creates volume, resulting in a healthy and vital appearance. As you age, however, you lose this vital youth-enhancing substance.

Your skin's ability to physically glow depends upon its ability to retain and hold moisture within the cells of its dermis (inner layer). In fact, your skin's dermis layer is made up of about 70% water.

Overall, hyaluronic acid is very important to skin health on many levels. It helps to keep your skin moist, improves cellular repair to damaged connective tissues, and acts as a buffer to protect your cells.

Unfortunately, HA also has a "half-life" (the amount of time required for half of the molecule to decay) of less than one day in the epidermis (outer skin layer) and is easily eliminated from your cells. It therefore must be continually replenished.


Hyaluronic Acid is also found in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is composed of material produced by the cells and excreted to the extracellular space within the tissues. All nutrients and metabolic waste are transported through the ECM. HA is a major constituent of the ECM and serves as an essential structural element of the ECM.

The ECM fills up the space between the skin cells. This makes the skin soft, smooth and elastic. As your amount of HA decreases, the ECM becomes dehydrated, producing dry, rough, wrinkled skin. It's not unlike the drying of fruit. A plum starts out plump and moist. Remove the water and you get...a prune.

The amount of water that you have depends largely on your age and health. A proper water balance is vital to your skin's condition. Hyperhydration causes the skin to crumple up and swell (that "pruney" look after being submerged in water for a long time) and dehydration promotes the loss of elasticity and wrinkling (the "crocodile" look).

Normally, nothing is more abundant in the human skin cell than HA and water. In fact, HA can retain up to 1,000 times its own weight in moisture and can be thought of as a gel to help keep your tissues hydrated.


Sodium hyaluronate has a smaller molecular size than regular HA. This makes it especially more penetrative, and is able to hold more water than any other natural substance - up to 1000 times its weight in water!

Because of these attributes, when applied topically to the skin it can reach deep down into the dermis to combine with, maintain and attract water, thus dramatically reducing any sort of (TEWL) trans-epidermal water loss. It also promotes skin/blood microcirculation and nutrient absorption and maintains normal metabolism. And thanks to its super-sized hydrating properties will result in a smoother and softer skin with decreased wrinkles and an all-around fuller appearance.

Overall, hyaluronic acid in the form of sodium hyaluronate transforms the dermis layer of your skin into a super-sponge for your face: by helping to maintain and attract water within the extra-cellular space (ECM), it not only hydrates the skin and increases its volume and density; but, by effect, temporarily stabilizes inter-cellular skin matrix, the glue that holds your face together. This intense moisturization allow for the skin to operate at higher capacity to provide a better defense against environmental assaults and other aging effects.


Ultra low molecular weight Hyaluronic acid requires an extra production step compared to normal Hyaluronic acid production. Manufacturers use a chemical method to cut large molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid into ultra low molecular weight. (Note: smaller molecular weight than sodium hyaluronate).

Unlike normal hyaluronic acid, ULMW HA has the ability to penetrate the skin's stratum corneum. Does not wash off, but rather remains in the skin to trap water and deliver enhanced moisture into the epidermis.

Ultra Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid (ulmw NaH) is a powerful moisturizing ingredient that also has humectants properties. In its ULMW form, hyaluronic acid also provides healing properties and can be used for wound care.