What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid (HA) or sodium hyaluronate is a humectant, it is a hygroscopic ingredient, meaning that it draws moisture in from its surroundings. It can retain over 1,000 times its weight in water within the cells of skin, making it a brilliant moisturiser. The average human body contains 15 grams of HA, one third of this gets synthesised on a daily basis; 50% of the remaining is found in connective tissues throughout our bodies, the other 50% can be found in the skin as HA it is a major component of the extracellular matrix. Our naturally occurring levels of  HA decrease with age therefore it is great to have hyaluronic acid in a skincare routine to help plump and hydrate lacklustre, dry skin.

What are the benefits of Hyaluronic Acid?

• Improves skin hydration and production of collagen
• Fights free radicals
• Maintains skin elasticity
• Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to help with wound healing

How does Hyaluronic Acid work?

When Hyaluronic Acid applied topically via skincare products the skin acts as a highly effective barrier and the hyaluronic acid molecules are too large to penetrate the dermis, which is where the moisture needs to be to help plump up fine lines and wrinkles. It sits on the skins surface and acts as a moisturiser due to its humectant properties, water is drawn into the skin from the surroundings, penetrating beneath the dermis, plumping up the skin, keeping it hydrated and supple. Hyaluronic acid is also an antioxidant, meaning it removes free radicals from the skins surface, preventing them causing damage to the skin.

Which of our FTT products contain Hyaluronic Acid?

FTT Prime and Protect SPF 20 – Daily Moisturiser with SPF 20

Organic UVA and UVB filters, 2% Hyaluronic Acid, 2% Vitamin E, 5% Aloe Vera

An ultra-skin nourishing and anti-ageing moisturiser, providing all day hydration and protection. Harnessing peptides, to tighten and firm whilst diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Skin loving antioxidants encourage cell re-growth and regeneration. Your skin will be thoroughly hydrated whilst looking fresher, firmer and tighter.

FTT Rejuvenate – Stimulating Daily Active Serum

12% Glycolic Acid, 2% Hyaluronic Acid, O.5% Salicylic Acid

Contains the natural clinically proven AHA, glycolic acid to gently remove the build-up of dead skin cells. It increases cell turnover to reveal the fresh, younger looking skin and it is effective at controlling breakouts, reducing pigmentation and fine lines.

FTT Recover – Active Night Cream

0.8% Retinyl Palmitate, 1% Hyaluronic Acid, Argireline (Hexapeptide 12)

Provides some much needed extra care for your skin to help it repair and renew from the stresses of the day whilst you sleep. It has been specifically developed to help rejuvenate through its antioxidant activity. It also re-hydrates your skin to allow overnight recovery and reveal a softer more youthful appearance for the new day ahead.

FTT Refine – Intensive Eye Serum

1% Lactic Acid, 7% Refined Silica, 4% Vitamin E, 1% Vitamin C

Refine is an intensive eye serum which actively works to rejuvenate and repair the signs of ageing. Containing a unique blend of ingredients including vitamin E to hydrate, almond oil to repair and protect against the signs of ageing and lactic acid which has gentle resurfacing properties to diminish the appearance of crow’s feet and visibly improve clarity and tone.

What is Retinol?

Retinol helps keep pores clear by reducing the build up of skin cells. Plus, it can block inflammation pathways in the skin.  Retinol also helps speed up the cell turnover process and promotes brighter, smoother skin. It also goes deeper into the skin to encourage collagen production and further plump the skin. It is a type of vitamin A that naturally occurs in the skin, regarded the powerhouse of skincare ingredients. Retinol and Retin-A are very different but are both classed at retinoids; retinol is an over the counter vitamin A, Retin-A is a prescription only retinoid used to treat more severe acne, arguably 2 of the most popular Retin-A products are Tretinoin and Adapalene. Over the counter products range from 0.1% to 1% although not all products disclose their concentration sometimes making it difficult to tell the potency

What are the key benefits of Retinol?

• Encourages cell turnover
• Smooths skin texture by sloughing off dead skin cells and promoting the production of new ones
• Reduces dark spots and pigmentation
• Reduces fine lines
• Calms spot prone skin due to it’s anti-inflammatory properties
• Increases the natural production of hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin

How does Retinol work?

When retinol is absorbed into the skin, enzymes work to convert it to retinoic acid, which overtime stimulates the production of new skin cells, fading away skin imperfections such as sun damage, hyperpigmentation and fine lines. Once absorbed and converted to retinoic acid, collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid levels increase; these perform as antioxidants, neutralising free radicals and prevent ageing inflammation.

Which of our FTT Skin Clinics products contain Retinol?

FTT R+ – 1% Liposomal Retinol Serum

A powerful and highly effective serum containing one per cent liposomal retinol, a stabilised vitamin A derivative which has been clinically proven to increase cell turnover. R+ will reduce pore size, resulting in firmer younger looking skin as well as reduce, visible signs of ageing including pigmentation and uneven skin tone.