My go to product to improve skin texture is Skin Ceuticals HA Intensifier. For of my patients that have done all of the right things with their skin care, with religious use of Vitamin A (see First Chef’s Knife), Skin Lighteners (see Second Chef’s Knife) and Vitamin C Serum (see Third Chef’s Knife), and still want to know what they can do to improve their skin quality and texture, this is my recommended product.
Background: Hyaluronic Acid
As you may know, hyaluronic acid is a compound that lives in between the skin cells, much like collagen does. Many of our dermal fillers are based on hyaluronic acid, and there are several topical preparations that involve spreading hyaluronic acid onto the skin for hydration. One area that fillers and skin surface treatments do not address is in the substance of the skin itself, which is where the HA Intensifier shines.
The hyaluronic acid in the skin is made by one set of enzymes and is broken down by another set of enzymes. They live in a state of balance, and the balance of these enzymes determines the amount of hyaluronic acid that is in your skin. The HA Intensifier product uses licorice root extract and purple rice extract, which are both known inhibitors of the enzymes that break down hyaluronic acid. Therefore, the end result is that the enzymes that make hyaluronic acid win, and you get a boost to the amount of hyaluronic acid that is in the skin itself.
This is a great addition to a dermal filler treatment, as it adds hyaluronic acid in a more superficial level into the skin itself. It also has excellent results when used alone. Once the chef’s knives have been used, this is the first product I reach for when people mention their skin quality, as it works in a completely different way and therefore complements the mainstays of my skin care routine.
As this product relies on altering the biology of the skin, it does not have an immediate effect and requires time to give this boost in hyaluronic acid production.