Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan found throughout the body's connective tissue. Glycosaminoglycans are unbranched carbohydrates, or sugars, called polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are responsible for the skin's natural ability to hydrate and retain water. They are also critical for skin repair and skin renewal. Human hyaluronic acid provides our joints with lubrication and gives skin structure (that plump and hydrated look). You may have heard that collagen and elastin are responsible for supporting sub-dermal skin structure, but hyaluronic acid is also a key player. Topically applied hyaluronic acid (HA) and its variants sodium acetylated hyaluronate (AcHA) and sodium hyaluronate (the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid) became the skincare industry's buzzy new ingredient. It was marketed as the new holy grail of hydration and pushed the highly effective and skin-safe hydration workhorse, Glycerin, out of the spotlight. HAs currently appear in just about every modern skincare product (cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, etc.) and color complexion product and have added $billions to the industry's pockets. But, the new holy grail of hydration can cause nasty side effects when formulated incorrectly. Industry experts, including fellow product developer @mary_schook have been shut down and demonized by the industry when we started to ring warning bells about the possible long-term damage HAs can cause if not formulated properly. Several studies have verified that certain molecular weights of HA COMPROMISE the skin's barrier health, compared to pure, plant-based Glycerin (the original holy grail of hydration). Many of the studies attribute skin damage to the concentration and molecular weight(s) of the hyaluronic acid molecules. There are even some varieties (molecular weights) of HA that, when used at high concentrations, can trigger inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis. Have you experienced skin irritation or skin barrier damage from HAs in skin care or color cosmetics? Read the article at the @refinery29 website. #refinery29 #HA #hyaluronicacid #sodiumhyaluro