Urea vs. Hyaluronic Acid

Urea vs. Hyaluronic Acid

Feature	Urea	Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
Primary Mechanism	Binds water, dissolves compacted keratin, and stabilizes the skin barrier.	Holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water to flood the skin with surface moisture.
Molecule Size	Very small, allowing it to penetrate effectively.	Large polysaccharide chain that primarily forms a hydrating film on the surface.
Visual Benefit	Smooths out rough, flaky texture and scales.	Delivers an immediate plumping effect to minimize fine lines.
Potential Irritation	Can cause mild stinging or peeling at high concentrations (over 10–20%).	Generally non-irritating and well-tolerated by all skin types.

 

Core Benefits of Urea

• Dual-Action Hydration: As a natural component of your skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), urea acts as a powerful humectant that attracts and locks in moisture deeper within the tissue. 
• Concentration-Dependent Exfoliation: At low concentrations (under 10%), it acts strictly as a moisturizer. At higher concentrations (10% to 40%), it becomes keratolytic, meaning it breaks down dead skin build-up to smooth out cracked heels, calluses, keratosis pilaris, or rough patches. 
• Barrier Repair: Unlike standard exfoliants that can thin or compromise your skin, urea actively accelerates cellular renewal and strengthens the skin's defense barrier.
• Penetration Enhancer: Urea temporarily modifies the skin structure to help other active ingredients in your skincare routine absorb much more effectively.

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

CeraVe 
3 fl oz.

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion helps repair damaged skin and maintain the skin's natural protective function with ingredients not commonly found in other moisturizers.

•Ceramides - Helps reduce lipid levels in damaged skin to repair, restore, and maintain the skin's natural barrier. Essential in preventing water loss from the skin
•Niacinamide - Helps the skin produce more natural ceramides and fatty acids essential for repairing and restoring the skin barrier. Also shown to reduce redness.
•Hyaluronic Acid - An essential ingredient (humectant) that attracts water to the top layer of the skin and ensures that the skin remains hydrated.

 CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion Benefits:

• With ceramides 1, 3 and 6-II
• Hyaluronic acid to help retain skin's moisture
• Oil-free, Non-comedogenic
• Fragrance-free
• Gentle, non-irritating formula

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid benefits:

• Elasticity
• Moisturizing 

Hyaluronic acid, also referred to in skin care as hyaluronate or HA, is a naturally occurring polysaccharide that is found throughout the skin. Hyaluronic acid is glorified for its ability to enhance moisture-retention and skin-hydration. This is due to hyaluronic acid’s ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. For this reason, products with hyaluronic acid (i.e. hyaluronic acid lotion, hyaluronic acid cream, hyaluronic acid liquid care) may serve as effective skin-soothing therapeutics for skin dryness. (1)

Hyaluronic acid molecule

As we age, our levels of hyaluronic acid and collagen decline, thus making our skin more susceptible to aging signs (i.e., fine lines and wrinkles). Topical application of hyaluronic acid has been shown to help decrease water loss from the skin’s surface as well as draw in moisture from the surrounding environment. By significantly increasing the water content in the stratum corneum, various skin factors, such as barrier function and texture, can be improved. 2 This may also enable hyaluronic acid skin care products to play a role in improving skin-elasticity.  Hyaluronic acid can most commonly be found in moisturizing skincare products such as lotions, creams, and serums.

(1) Pavicic, T. et al. Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment. Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD 10.9, 990-1000 (2011)
(2) Sundaram, H. et al. Pilot Comparative Study of the Topical Action of a Novel, Crosslinked Resilient Hyaluronic Acid on Skin Hydration and Barrier Function in a Dynamic, Three-Dimensional Human Explant Model. Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD 15.4, 434-441 (2016)

There are three types of hyaluronic acid:

1. Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is hyaluronic acid that has been broken down into elements small enough to penetrate the skin, Gasquet says. It’s moisturizing, but not the most moisturizing option, so it’s best for people who have oily or combination skin, since these skin types want to avoid over-moisturizing.
2. Sodium hyaluronate goes deeper into the skin and delivers even better results, though the effects aren’t very long lasting, Gasquet says. “Sodium hyaluronate is best for people who have normal skin, because it will allow moisture to seep in, but you don’t really need a heavy-duty, long-lasting effect.” This is the ingredient you’ll likely find in serums.
3. Sodium acetylated hyaluronate has the benefits of sodium hyaluronate but with longer-lasting results. It’s best for people who need moisture, such as those with dry skin, those who live in dry climates, or those looking for a product for the dry winter months.

Restylane and Perlane

What are Restylane and Perlane?

The Restylane family of dermal filler products includes Restylane and Perlane. Both are cosmetic dermal fillers that replace lost volume and restore youthful contours to the skin to smooth away moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds), and from the corners of the mouth downward (marionette lines). These dermal fillers can also be used to replenish volume in the lips and to help smooth the lines which radiate from the lips.

How do I choose between Restylane and Perlane?

You don't have to. In clinical trials, Restylane and Perlane dermal fillers were used in the same patients. The hyaluronic acid in both collagen injections is made by the same biotechnical process. The difference is in the gel particle size. Perlane gel particles are larger and designed for deeper injection than Restylane. Your practitioner will decide which dermal filler is right for you.

How does my practitioner know when to use Restylane and Perlane?

Your practitioner will decide which dermal filler is right for you based on an evaluation of facial wrinkled and folds.

How long do Restylane products last?

Restylane products are proven to deliver long-lasting results. Restylane lasts about six months. Perlane lasts at least six months, in a majority of patients.

Are Restylane and Perlane FDA approved?

Yes. They are approved by the FDA for the treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, like the ones from your nose to the corners of your mouth. Ask your practitioner whether this cosmetic procedure is right for you.

What is the history of Restylane?

Restylane has been used in over 1.4 million treatments in the U.S. and is available in more than 70 countries. It is the most-studied cosmetic dermal filler in the world with dozens of publications in medical literature. Clinical studies showed no significant differences in the safety of Restylane and Perlane.

What should patients do prior to treatment?

Restylane and Perlane require no pretesting, but you should take a few precautions before being treated. Avoid using aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. John's Wort, or high doses of Vitamin E supplements prior to treatment, because these may increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site. Also, if you have previously suffered facial cold sores, discuss this with your practitioner who may prescribe a medication to minimize recurrence.

How are Restylane products administered?

Restylane and Perlane dermal fillers are administered by injection into the skin at the treatment site. Before treatment talk to your practitioner about pain management.

Is any of the material left in the skin after it has dissolved?

No. Over time, Restylane and Perlane products are broken down and eliminated by the body.

What are Restylane and Perlane products made of?

Restylane is a cosmetic dermal filler made from hyaluronic acid that has been modified slightly to last longer than the body's hyaluronic acid. In the human body natural hyaluronic acid provides volume and fullness to the skin.

How are Restylane products different than other hyaluronic acid-based products?

Restylane and Perlane contain no animal proteins. This limits any risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reaction. You should not use Restylane or Perlane if you have allergies to microorganisms known as gram-positive bacteria.

How do Restylane and Perlane collagen dermal fillers differ from Botox Cosmetic?

Botox Cosmetic and Restylane are used to correct wrinkles in different ways, Restylane and Perlane are natural, cosmetic fillers injected into the skin, adding volume to smooth wrinkles and folds in the lower face. In contrast, Botox is a natural, purified protein that temporarily relaxes the muscles that cause lines in the upper face. In general, Botox is used to treat wrinkles in the upper half of the face. And Restylane/ Perlane is used to treat the lines and folds in the lower half of the face.

What should patients expect after a dermal filler treatment?

Often redness and swelling occur. This can last up to seven days, but usually about three days. You may have some bruising, which can be covered with make-up.

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum 
1.02 fl oz (30 ml)
drugstore.com : $33.99

Advanced Skin Care

• 8 actives with konjac root, ferulic & hyaluronic acid
• More active
• More results
• Uplifting antioxidant blend that brightens, tightens & smoothes the skin.
• No animal testing

What are actives?

• Active ingredients are those with known antioxidant & skin rejuvenating properties.

What is Ferulic Acid?

• Found primarily in plant cell walls, ferulic acid has been shown to double the UV protective effects of Vitamin C.

Genuine flower power natural antioxidants & active essentials work hand in hand to enhance your body's ability to heal & protect. By leaving out harmful chemicals, parabens, synthetic color & fragrance, Mad Hippie helps your skin achieve true harmony.

Made in USA