Does Hyaluronic Acid Work In Ottawa?

In Ottawa, we experience a semi-continental climate, meaning we get higher summer temperatures with increased moisture, but then harsh cold, dry winters. During the winter, it might feel like your skin has a mind of its own. Dryness and irritation set in. Your office and home might have humidifiers running, and you're drinking plenty of water. On top of it all, you're applying a ton of moisturizer. During the winter months, you've likely switched up your makeup routine to incorporate products that look good on top of dry skin and provide some nourishment. A few months ago, I shared my skincare routine on my IG TV Channel. In that video, I mentioned that I start with the AnteAGE Cleanser, followed by another popular Hyaluronic Acid product. There are other steps to this, too, but we'll stop at the hyaluronic filler or "HA" filler. The big draw in using this is that Hyaluronic Acid packs a huge punch when it comes to moisturizing. Some formulations are interesting because they can carry up to three forms of HA, each a different molecular weight, allowing them to penetrate at different levels of the skin to maximize plumpness. When it comes to molecular weight, you'll want to take notice. Some low molecular weight HAs might be responsible for inflammation.

But we want to know more about how Hyaluronic Acid works on skin in Ottawa.

The way Hyaluronic Acid works is that it pulls water molecules from the environment and binds to itself, providing a barrier to the skin and giving us that great plumpy "hydrated" look.

But what happens when the humidity is low, such as it is in winter months? Does HA still work?

When the HA molecules have nothing to work with and there is very little moisture in the air, this can actually cause it to draw moisture out of our skin, not in. If our skin is more humid than the dry winter air around us, then this will cause water molecules to be drawn from within our skin and actually pull moisture away from areas that need it.

So what can we do in winter or drier months when the humidity drops but our skin desperately needs moisture? Is HA out? Not necessarily, this is where additional support comes in such as with hydrating mists. When the environment is dry, remember to apply a hydrating mist BEFORE using any hyaluronic acid. Not only will the mist give the HA something to work with, but it will allow your other skincare products to spread further and have greater impact. Remember that HA filler is a serum, and serums are step 1 followed by step 2 of applying a regular moisturizer.

So to recap:

• Wash with a cleanser
• Apply a hydrating mist
• Apply your HA Filler serum
• Apply your moisturizer
• Apply your sunscreen

If you don't have a hydrating mist handy, then think twice about whether you want to apply an HA.

So, now with these new facts, you might be excited to update your skincare routine. Remember to consult with your physician or dermatologist before you create your skincare treatment plan. They will help identify any underlying medical concerns.