Here at Citrine we are always on the hunt for products that contain magical ingredients. We curate products based on these ingredients so we want to educate and share about each ingredient we are inspired by. With that being said, we're excited to introduce to you the second part in our latest series here on the blog; Key Ingredients. Each post in the series will be a comprehensive highlight of featured ingredients that we find new, noteworthy and beneficial for our beauty rituals. Today, we're talking, Hyaluronic Acid.

Plump, hydrated, pillowy soft, moisturized, dewy, youthful & glowing. These are all what we would call skin goals. An absolute ESSENTIAL ingredient in achieving this optimal, ideal skin, is holy grail ingredient, hyaluronic acid. You may have heard of it, you may know what it does or just that you need it in your life... either way, we are here to deep dive into what it is, how it works and what benefits it has, plus some of our most beloved products with hyaluronic acid that will help you achieve those skin goals we're manifesting.

WHAT IT IS

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is produced naturally by the body, it's a sugar that holds onto water molecules, keeping our skin moisturized, plump & full. Not only does this hydrating substance retain water, but it also prevents water & moisture from leaving our skin. Hyaluronic Acid actually holds 1000x its weight in water, hence why it's deemed holy grail status.

Our bodies contain roughly 15 grams of Hyaluronic Acid on an average day and about a third of that gets amalgamated. As we gracefully gain more wisdom & experience under our belts (aging…) our bodies start to produce less of Hyaluronic Acid (as well as collagen & elastin), which is why we're so thankful to have such a profound understanding of this ingredient, how it's implemented into skincare and of course so much gratitude for our favorite natural products that utilize this ingredient, helping us get our youthful glow on.

HOW IT WORKS

Products with HA work to pull moisture to the surface of the skin at the same time acting as a protective wall of wet, hydration which keeps out pollution and other environmental irritants. Hyaluronic Acid acts as a moist cushion in between cells, joints and tissues. It's important to note that the size of the Hyaluronic Acid molecule has an affect on how well it works to deliver hydration into the skin. A molecule too large may not be able to penetrate the skin effectively, which is why we're into products that boast multiple sizes of Hyaluronic Acid molecules, or those that focus on micronized molecules.

Another note, Hyaluronic Acid is actually such a valuable and important ingredient for anyone suffering with blemishes and acne. Often acne-care products can dry out the skin, which actually leads to more breakouts as it causes the skin to produce even more sebum (oil) as a form of protection. If instead, you keep your skin fully hydrated & full of Hyaluronic Acid, your skin will become balanced, produce less oil and thus, result in less blemishes. So Hyaluronic Acid is actually an ingredient for everyone.

HOW TO USE

It's most beneficial to use products that contain HA onto slightly damp skin and then going in directly after with a moisturizer or cream to top it off, locking in all of the moisture. HA works with water, as it binds together water molecules. So in order to trap them in, you'll want to make sure the products that you use are filled with other proper coinciding ingredients that work together to ensure that you're not actually dehydrating your skin. The products we've specially curated with a 5 step process here at Citrine have the perfect combination of active ingredients that work in harmony with HA to produce the most optimal results.

You can mix these Hyaluronic Acid infused products with other hero ingredients such as retinol, as it will combat any irritation that it can cause. Another beautiful way to use HA is directly under makeup as it gives your skin a plump & dewy canvas for any complexion enhancing products. You can apply as often as you like, we're shooting for twice a day, once in the morning and once at night but with some products, but don't be afraid to double up and use some of these HA infused products back to back, for example, the Holi(water) followed by the Patyka Pro-Collagen Lift Mask.

WELLNESS NOTE

Aside from using products that contain Hyaluronic Acid, there's a wonderful way we can increase & stimulate the natural production of HA in our bodies. The way we eat and what we put into our bodies has a direct affect on the level our bodies produce. Eating a diet abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those full of antioxidants (hello dark chocolate, blueberries, kale, artichokes… hit us up for a full list), will really help your skin retain it's naturally produced HA by protecting the skin from inflammation.

BENEFITS

Back to our skin goals checklist… we're aiming for more plump, youthful, dewy, glowy, soft & hydrated skin, and that is what HA delivers. It improves the skin all around by producing collagen, protecting against free radical damage and retaining moisture which improves skin elasticity. It even works to heal spots, blemishes and irritation with it's anti-inflammatory properties. Hyaluronic Acid is such a super plumper due to its ability to retain water, so it fills in fine lines and wrinkles, making it such an ideal ingredient for anyone getting into well-aging products.

WHO IT'S FOR

• This superpower moisturizer is great for anyone with dull or dehydrated skin.
• Those suffering from blemishes, acne or skin with excess oil.
• Those who are gracefully aging.
• Basically, everyone ;)

CURATED PRODUCT PICKS

ESSENCES

Tata Harper - Hydrating Floral Essence
This is one of those products that sits so beautifully on top of makeup, for dewy & fresh hydration. This is a super lightweight mist, loaded with a special bioidentical Hyaluronic Acid that refreshes the skin, delivers super hydration & all on the go. We LOVE a good mist over here and one filled with this holy grail ingredient is so ideal.

Vintner's Daughter - Active Treatment Essence
This award winning product is renowned for its extreme hydration. Not only does it include micro and mini Hyaluronic Acid, but a full nutrient-rich line up for moisture amplifying ingredients, from water-soluble plant actives, probiotics, plant stem cells & superfoods such as moringa and astragalus. This is a multi functional product that is hydrating, brightening, toning, balancing AND exfoliates. Apply day & night by patting the essence into the skin after cleansing and then to amplify the results, follow Vintner's Daughter's Active Botanical Serum while the skin is still damp.

Agent Nateur - Holi(water)
Filled with an abundance of magical ingredients from delicate rose to beautifying pearl, this toner like product is also balanced with Hyaluronic Acid to help diminish any fine lines, strengthen & plump the skin and overall, just restore the skin's moisture.

TREATMENTS

Tata Harper - Rejuvenating Serum
Another award winning product, a multitasking serum and collagen boosting treatment in one. Infused with Hyaluronic Acid for plump, youthful, radiant skin, antioxidants for protection against environmental damages and vitamins for strengthening, nourishing & firming the skin. This is a no brainer serum for everyday use to get your dose of our featured ingredient.

Patyka - Advanced Plumping Serum
If you're after an extreme plumping effect, this is for you. With 1.6% concentration of pure, botanical Hyaluronic Acid, this serum really delivers thirst quenching hydration for your skin that results in rejuvenated, firm and smoothed skin.

Patyka - Pro-Collagen Lift Mask
Another Patyka product that delivers Hyaluronic Acid in a luxurious mask treatment that is super fresh, super firming and super pumping. Again, loaded with high-performance botanical Hyaluronic Acid at the 1.6% concentration, it's the perfect mask to use both day & night. It was chosen as one of April's founder's favorites, and Melissa suggests using it before a photoshoot to really fill in fine lines & get the skin plump and photo ready.

MOISTURIZER

Tata Harper - Creme Riche
The ultimate face cream for long lasting moisture & an overall lift. This is a super rich & indulgent moisturizer filled with both Hyaluronic and essential fatty acids that work to lock in moisture, retain optimal hydration and leave skin feeling so silky, so supple and so youthful.