Hyaluronic Acid: What it is, what it's for, and its importance in cosmetics

If there's one ingredient that has revolutionized the world of skincare, it is, without a doubt, hyaluronic acid. With over 40,000 monthly searches, this active ingredient has solidified its position as a leading reference for those seeking hydrated, radiant, and youthful-looking skin.

But do we really know what hyaluronic acid is and why it's so important for our skin's health?

In this article, we break down the science behind this key molecule and explain why its combination with melatonin in MEL13 treatments marks a before and after in cellular regeneration.

What is hyaluronic acid and how does it work in our skin?

To understand what hyaluronic acid does, we must imagine it as a sponge. It is a polysaccharide (a type of sugar) with an astonishing capacity: it can retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water.

How does hyaluronic acid work in the skin? Its main function is to provide hydration, support, and lubrication. By retaining large amounts of water, it helps maintain the space between cells and collagen and elastin fibers, contributing to the skin retaining its firm and flexible structure.

When its levels decrease, the skin loses hydration and volume, the first wrinkles appear, and that natural glow we associate with healthy skin is reduced.

Where is hyaluronic acid found naturally?

It is important to note that hyaluronic acid is not a foreign agent; our own body produces it endogenously. It is found in joints, connective tissue, and, in large proportion, in our skin, where approximately 50% of the body's total hyaluronic acid is concentrated.

However, there is an inevitable biological reality: from 25-30 years of age, the natural production of hyaluronic acid begins to progressively decrease. In fact, it is estimated that by around 50 years of age, we retain approximately half of our initial reserves.

For this reason, the use of hyaluronic acid in cosmetic treatments and topical products has become a common strategy to help maintain skin hydration and improve the appearance of the skin.

The difference between pure hyaluronic acid and different molecular weights

When we read a label and see "pure hyaluronic acid," we tend to think it's a single ingredient. However, in advanced cosmetics, such as those developed by MEL13, we work with different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. Understanding this difference is key to understanding how it acts in each layer of the skin:

1. High molecular weight: Its molecules are larger and remain mainly on the skin's surface. There, they form a hydrating film that helps reduce transepidermal water loss, providing an immediate effect of hydration and softness.

2. Low molecular weight: These molecules are smaller and can penetrate deeper into the dermis. This allows for improved hydration from the deeper layers of the skin and contributes to a smoother and more flexible appearance.

At MEL13 laboratories, we use this knowledge to ensure that hyaluronic acid not only hydrates the surface but also acts on all layers of the skin, enhancing the effects of melatonin.

What is hyaluronic acid used for on the face?

If we analyze what hyaluronic acid is used for, the short answer is that it plays a fundamental role in skin hydration and balance. By being able to retain large amounts of water, it helps maintain the appropriate environment for skin cells to function correctly.

When the skin loses hydration, many of its biological processes are compromised. For this reason, the use of hyaluronic acid in facial care has become one of the pillars of anti-aging treatments.

It is not just a cosmetic ingredient: it is a natural component of the skin that directly influences its structure, elasticity, and how it looks and feels to the touch.

Deep facial hydration: Does hyaluronic acid really hydrate?

It is common to confuse "hydrating" with "oiling." Hyaluronic acid hydrates in a different way: it does not add oil, but rather helps retain water in the skin. Its ability to capture and retain water is what creates that "plump" skin sensation.

What does hyaluronic acid do for the skin? It acts as a hygroscopic molecule that attracts and retains water, contributing to improved skin hydration. By applying it in a skincare treatment, we prevent transepidermal dehydration.

This is especially important in dry climates or after sun exposure, where the skin dehydrates more easily. A well-executed facial hydration with hyaluronic acid can transform dull and sallow skin into luminous and vital skin in just a few days.

Action against wrinkles and fine lines

One of the most repeated searches is "hyaluronic acid for wrinkles." Can it really eliminate them? Science indicates that, although it does not erase them like a magic eraser, it can help soften them thanks to its powerful hydrating capacity.

By retaining large amounts of water in the skin, hyaluronic acid contributes to improving the hydration and superficial volume of the skin tissue. This is what we know as the blur effect or softening of expression lines. It is particularly effective on "crow's feet" and the nasolabial fold, where the skin tends to show more with the loss of hydration and elasticity over time.

Recovery of skin elasticity and firmness

Facial firmness depends on a complex network of collagen and elastin. We can imagine these fibers as the springs of a mattress, while hyaluronic acid acts as the filling that surrounds them and keeps the tissue hydrated and flexible.

When analyzing the benefits of hyaluronic acid, one of the most interesting aspects is its role within the skin's extracellular matrix. In addition to its ability to retain water, certain fragments of hyaluronic acid can participate in cell signaling processes that influence the activity of fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen.

Well-hydrated skin tends to be more elastic: when stretched, it recovers its shape more easily. Over time, the decrease in natural hyaluronic acid contributes to the loss of hydration, elasticity, and volume of skin tissue.

For this reason, treatments that help replenish or strengthen this component, such as Mel13, promote more flexible, luminous skin with a visibly smoother appearance. Here we elevate the content from "basic hydration" to "cellular biotechnology," introducing the differential value of MEL13.

Benefits of hyaluronic acid: Beyond hydration

When we think about what hyaluronic acid is good for, we usually focus on its most well-known effect: hydration. However, its properties go far beyond simple water retention.

Hyaluronic acid is part of the skin's extracellular matrix and participates in various biological processes that influence the balance and health of the dermis. In addition to maintaining tissue hydration, it can intervene in cell signaling mechanisms that contribute to the maintenance of skin structure.

Understanding these deeper benefits is what differentiates a basic skin care routine from a high-performance skincare treatment.

Properties of hyaluronic acid in cell regeneration

Did you know that hyaluronic acid participates in tissue repair processes? Beyond its well-known moisturizing effect, it helps create an appropriate environment for skin cells to regenerate.

Among the lesser-known properties of hyaluronic acid is its role within the extracellular matrix, where it can influence processes such as cell migration and the modulation of the inflammatory response. These mechanisms are fundamental for the skin to recover from external aggressions such as solar radiation, intense cold, or certain aesthetic treatments.

By maintaining the extracellular matrix in optimal conditions, hyaluronic acid acts as a kind of "biological scaffold" that facilitates the efficient development of the skin's natural renewal and repair processes.

Synergy with Melatonin: MEL13's secret for mitochondrial health

This is where MEL13's true innovation lies. Many wonder what happens when hyaluronic acid is combined with other active ingredients. In our formulas, low molecular weight hyaluronic acid does not act alone: it integrates with melatonin to enhance the benefits of the treatment.

Over time and under the effect of oxidative stress, mitochondria, the "powerhouses" of our cells, become less efficient, producing less energy and generating more free radicals. This process directly influences skin aging.

In MEL13 formulations, hyaluronic acid contributes to maintaining a hydrated and balanced skin environment that promotes the action of melatonin at the cellular level. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, melatonin helps protect cells against oxidative stress and preserve the skin's energy balance.

This synergy multiplies the benefits of the treatment: while hyaluronic acid improves skin hydration and volume appearance, melatonin helps protect the cellular mechanisms involved in skin regeneration.

The result is not only skin that looks better on the outside, but skin that better maintains its biological balance. It is an approach that combines advanced hydration and cosmetic biotechnology to care for the skin at multiple levels.

How to use hyaluronic acid in your skincare routine

Knowing how to use hyaluronic acid correctly is what makes the difference between simply hydrated skin and skin that truly harnesses the full potential of this active ingredient.

Although it is a very well-tolerated ingredient and compatible with most cosmetic active ingredients, its application has certain keys that allow optimizing its properties and improving skin results.

When to apply hyaluronic acid? (Morning or night)

One of the most frequent questions is when to use hyaluronic acid. The answer is simple: morning and night.

• In the morning: Hyaluronic acid applied to the skin helps retain water and maintain hydration during the day, helping the skin maintain its flexibility against factors such as sun, air conditioning, or temperature changes. In addition, it prepares the face so that sunscreen and makeup are applied more evenly.

• At night: This is when the skin activates its natural regeneration processes. Applying hyaluronic acid before bed helps maintain a hydrated skin environment, promoting nightly renewal mechanisms and the action of active ingredients like melatonin.

Difference between moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and serum

We often see both formats and don't know which to choose. The main difference is in their texture, active ingredient concentration, and function within the skincare routine:

1. Hyaluronic acid serum: This is a lighter formula, concentrated in active ingredients. It usually contains hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights and is designed to be absorbed quickly and provide hydration to the more superficial layers of the skin. Its goal is to improve hydration, elasticity, and the appearance of fine lines.

2. Moisturizer with hyaluronic acid: It has a richer texture and usually combines hyaluronic acid with lipids, ceramides, or other emollients. Its main function is to strengthen the skin barrier and help retain moisture on the skin's surface.

How to use them together? First apply the serum to slightly damp skin. Once absorbed, use the moisturizer to seal in hydration and strengthen the skin barrier. This order allows you to better take advantage of the moisturizing properties of hyaluronic acid.

Is it good to take hyaluronic acid? (Capsules vs. Topical)

With the rise of nutricosmetics, many people wonder if taking hyaluronic acid supplements can benefit the skin. In reality, this active ingredient can be used in different ways, each with distinct objectives.

• Injectable hyaluronic acid: Used in aesthetic medicine for localized dermal fillers.

• Hyaluronic acid pills (Capsules): Help with systemic body hydration and joint health. Some studies suggest that they can also contribute to improving skin hydration, although their effect on the outer skin layers is usually more gradual and less direct.

• Topical hyaluronic acid (Creams and Serums): This is the most widely used form in cosmetics to improve hydration, elasticity, and the appearance of facial skin. When applied directly to the skin, it allows for localized action against problems such as dehydration or loss of radiance.

At MEL13, we opt for advanced topical formulations, designed to optimize skin hydration and enhance the action of other active ingredients such as melatonin. The goal is to promote more balanced, luminous skin with a visibly healthier appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hyaluronic Acid

The use of hyaluronic acid for the face generates a lot of curiosity due to its great versatility in skin care. Below we answer some of the most searched questions to better understand what hyaluronic acid is for and how it can benefit your skin in each case.

Is hyaluronic acid good for oily skin?

Yes, in most cases it is one of the most recommended ingredients for this skin type. There is a myth that oily skin does not need hydration, but the reality is that sometimes it is dehydrated (lack of water). When this happens, the sebaceous glands can produce more sebum to compensate for that deficiency.

Hyaluronic acid helps hydrate the skin without adding lipids or oils. As a molecule capable of attracting and retaining water, it helps maintain skin hydration without creating a heavy feeling on the skin.

For this reason, light formulas — such as serums — are usually especially suitable for oily skin, as they are absorbed quickly and help keep the skin hydrated without a greasy feeling.

At MEL13, we opt for light serum textures, designed to provide hydration without saturating the skin, leaving a soft and comfortable finish.

What are the effects of injectable versus topical hyaluronic acid?

It is important to differentiate between injectable hyaluronic acid (used in dermal fillers) and hyaluronic acid applied topically in creams or serums:

• Injectable: Used in aesthetic medicine to provide immediate volume in specific areas (lips, cheekbones) or soften deep wrinkles. Its effect is mechanical and localized.

• Topical (Serums and Creams): Its objective is to improve hydration, elasticity, and the overall quality of the skin. When applied regularly, it helps keep the skin hydrated and strengthens its barrier function. In the case of formulations such as those from MEL13, it is also combined with other active ingredients, such as melatonin, which contribute to protecting the skin against oxidative stress as well as repairing and regenerating the skin.

Both are complementary: a good topical treatment prolongs the effects of the injectable and improves the quality of the surrounding skin.