Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance that is present in human bodies, with the highest concentration in eyes and joint fluids. It can also be applied topically through various creams that contain it, in order to heal wounds, burns, skin ulcers, or can be used even as a moisturizer. Since the availability of Hyaluronic acid depletes with age, its current popularity stems from the label “fountain of youth” as it has been shown to prevent aging if applied daily in the form of night creams by both women and men.

A typical face cream that contains Hyaluronic acid also contains other essential nutrients such as Vitamin C for protecting skin, plant collagen to provide more resilience and a youthful look to the applicant, organic apricot oil for providing soothing and healing properties, Vitamin E to heal and renew the skin, and other organic oils of rose or geranium for oxygenating and rejuvenating the skin. Beauty care products are increasingly utilizing it as an ingredient as it refreshes skin after sun exposure, comforts the thirsty skin and provides an even base for moisturizer or makeup.
Just like proteins, carbohydrates, and other nutrients, Hyaluronic acid is also a necessity of our body and its intake should be ensured through a healthy diet or supplements available in the form of topical creams or injected shots. For consumption in diet; the connective tissues of animals, along with skin and bones, particularly of chickens, can be a good source of this chemical and can be easily eaten by making a broth of these parts. People who eat a vegetarian diet can benefit from a number of vegetables containing this acid, such as starchy vegetables like sweet potato, green peas and carrots that stimulate its production. Soy raises the estrogen level in the body that correlates with an increased level of Hyaluronic acid as well. Spinach, beets, beans, or any vegetable that is high on zinc is also a good option because people who lack zinc can also have Hyaluronic acid deficiency. Fruits like apples, tomatoes, strawberries that are rich in magnesium are also good sources as magnesium is an essential part of hyaluronan synthesis. The supplements utilize the acid extracted from animal products such as rooster combs; however, most are made from these vegetable sources.
Topical creams containing Hyaluronic acid are used to moisturize the keratinous tissue of humans comprising the procedure of topically applying to the keratinous tissue, with the composition comprising of lecithin in an organic solvent and water through which the composition is delivered into the stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis. The other method involves treating the keratinous tissue that involves the step of topically applying the cream on keratinous tissue, with the composition of water dispersible lecithin. This second type of invention can contain poloxamer with the desired form being poloxamer 407. Lecithins can be found in egg yolks, soy (most common and economical source), nervous tissue, cardiac tissue, and hepatic tissue.
The polymer Hyaluronic acid, as shown above, is an important natural constituent of our skin that depletes with age as it is produced by fibroblast skin cells that also decrease with age. Hyaluronic acid starts decreasing as early as 18 years of age, but wrinkles or other skin damage caused by its depletion start showing by 30 or 40 years of age. Moreover, it also moisturizes skin as 1 gram of Hyaluronic acid can store up to 1000 ml water. When applied on the skin, the topical cream containing the acid forms an air permeable layer and penetrates into the dermis, providing the skin with the desired hydration and elasticity. These effects produced are caused by the physiochemical properties of the polymer and its interaction with other macromolecular components.
Since Hyaluronic acid is a natural compound of the human body, any risk with regards to its side effects or toxicity is eliminated when it is used as an ingredient in topical creams. The acid is popularly used in beauty products due to its viscoelastic properties and phenomenal biocompatibility. There have been very few instances of extremely mild side effects, such as itching or minor discomfort, which can be easily alleviated by wiping off the cream from the affected area. An extensively randomized and double blind study conducted by Jarvis and Figgitt showed that 3% diclofenac in 2.5% Hyaluronic acid gel was well tolerated, safe and efficacious among patients. Thus, the side effects from topical products like serum or cream are not serious or long lasting. The attraction of creams containing Hyaluronic acid particularly rest on its risk free usage, particularly when compared to alternatives like Botox for wrinkle prevention.
Various studies have been carried out by doctors and researchers in order to determine the usefulness of including Hyaluronic acid in topical creams for treatment of wounds or other damages caused to the skin. A clinical trial by H.M. Hammad and other researchers in Jordan showed no negative effects of using the acid in creams that healed excisional wounds with epithelial and connective tissue defect. Another study carried out by T.J. Brown and fellow associates supported the efficacy of hyaluronan absorption from the surface of the skin and penetration into the epidermis through topical application. Jason K. Rivers observed that topical 3% diclofenac in 2.5% Hyaluronic acid can be a clinically useful topical agent for the treatment of actinic keratoses. G. Weindl and fellow researchers in Munich showed an improved wound healing after HA topical application; particularly in acute radioepithelitis, venous leg ulcers, or even diabetic foot lesions. An article by Vincenzo Liquori and other researchers concludes that the prophylactic use of a cream reduces the incidence of high grade radio-epithelitis, which suggests a unique role of Hyaluronic acid cream as a supportive treatment for patints undergoing radiation therapy. A group of plastic surgeons led by Veronique Voinchet in France used creams consisting of Hyaluronic acid in treating acute trauma or surgical wounds on 43 patients, and showed complete healing by 6th application in 56% cases with 84% wounds showing little or no exudate. Thanks to Advanced Dermatology and Skinacea for the research funding for this project. Advanced Dermatology and Skinacea are specialists in Botox research Sydney treatment.

Intro – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hyaluronic-Perfecting-Facial-Cream-Vitamin/dp/B006I3ILOU

http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/beauty-hair/beauty-tips/best-new-beauty-products-hyaluronic-acid

Sources – http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-hyaluronic-acid-sources.htm
Composition – http://www.google.com.pk/patents?hl=en&lr=&vid=USPAT5945409&id=fiABAAAAEBAJ&oi=fnd&dq=composition+of+hyaluronic+acid+in+creams&printsec=abstract#v=onepage&q=composition%20of%20hyaluronic%20acid%20in%20creams&f=false
Effects – http://www.livestrong.com/article/57045-benefits-hyaluronic-acid-skin/

http://organicbeautyandskin.com/what-is-my-skin-type/benefits-of-hyaluronic-acid.html

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb03650.x/abstract

Toxicity – http://www.zhion.com/Hyaluronic_Acid.html

http://dermage.shop.com.br/dermage/paginas/acido-hyaluronico1.pdf

Scientific references – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21226845

http://www.rejuvenation-science.com/hyaluronic_acid_abstracts.html

http://archderm.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=559326

http://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/80213

http://www.thegreenjournal.com/article/S0167-8140(96)01882-8/abstract

http://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00128071-200607060-00003#page-1