The Moisture Power of Hyaluronic Acid

         Human skin is the most outer part of the body that serves as a barrier and provides a
primary defense from bacteria or infections so it requires a strong structure. Whereas, the
outer layer of skin, stratum corneum, is particularly prone to peeling and evaporating. It is the
deficiency of intercellular lipids, namely, the ceramides, cholesterol, and unsaturated fats that
structure the bilayers, harming the water hindrance development along these lines prompting
dry skin (Sethi et al., 2016). Moreover, in Indonesia, the skin will be volatile because we are
situated on the equator and is a tropical country that gets daylight for quite a while (Atmanto,
2019). In addition, dehydration is also associated with increased urbanization and pollution.
Considering that in metropolitan regions like the city of Jakarta, industry and transportation
have developed, all of which radiate exhaust gases that can be inciting dry skin (Atmanto,
2019). To summarize, with the many reasons for lack of hydration referenced above, we need
products that help the skin design hold water out. The product is called moisturizer.

         Moisturizers are pharmaceutical ingredients applied through the skin aimed at
maintaining the unity of the skin structure, reducing TEWL (Transepidermal water loss),
restoring skin protection capabilities, and redistributing water (Varothai et al., 2013). Based
on its mechanism of action, moisturizer is divided into 3 types namely occlusive, emollients,
and humectant (Sethi et al., 2016). First, occlusives are essential oils that genuinely block
TEWL in the Stratum Corneum. They make a hydrophobic obstruction over the skin, add to
the network among corneocytes, and have the most articulated impact when applied to the
marginally hosed skin. Examples of occlusive are petroleum, paraffin, mineral oil, etc.
Second, emollients are basically lipids and oils, which hydrate and improve skin texture and
appearance. Examples of emollients are cholesterol, squalene, fatty acids, etc. Last,
humectant is fundamentally hygroscopic mixtures which mean they attract water from two
sources, from the dermis into the epidermis and in moist conditions from the climate.
Examples of humectants are glycerol, hyaluronic acid, propylene glycol, urea, etc. In
conclusion, with the three mechanisms described above, the most suitable mechanism used in
the Indonesian environment is the humectant type. One of the most commonly used
humectants is hyaluronic acid.

         Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a long unbranched polysaccharide composed of repeating

disaccharides of D-glucuronic and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, that is available in the
extracellular matrix (ECM) of the skin or Stratum corneum and its essence is crucial for the
rheological, hygroscopic, and viscoelastic properties of the tissue (Abatangelo et al., 2020).
The molecule of HA is available in many strains of microorganisms and is omnipresent in all
vertebrates, where it is especially abundant in embryonic tissues. Hyaluronic acid plays a
vital role in the synthesis of extracellular matrix molecules and epidermal cell interaction
with the surrounding environment (Jegasothy et al., 2014). One of its most important
properties is that it can attach and hold large amounts of moisture from the dermis and the
environment, roughly 6 liters in 1 gram (Jegasothy et al., 2014). Hyaluronic acid has been
used in various forms of pharmaceutical preparations as one of the basic parts of cosmetic
and nutricosmetic products in the type of humectant moisturizer due to its tremendous
biomedical and tissue regeneration potential (Bukhari et al., 2018).  In brief, the essence of
hyaluronic acid in the extracellular matrix in all vertebrates plays a vital role as a humectant
type i.e to attach and hold large of water for moisturizer skin.

As a moisturizer in pharmaceutical formulations, hyaluronic acid works by attracting

water from two sources: from the dermis to the epidermis and the humid conditions caused
by the climate (Sethi et al., 2016). They are able to attract water from the dermis into the
epidermis, and also trap water from the external environment if relative ambient humidity
exceeds 70% (Sirikudta et al., 2013). This indicates that hyaluronic belongs to the humectant
type. Whereas, hyaluronic acid can expand TEWL by absorbing and evaporating water from
the dermis into climate particularly in obstruction compromised skin and low ambient
humidity, thus humectants are frequently used with another type of moisturizer (Purnamawati
et al., 2017). It is mainly combined with occlusives to help prevent TEWL and hydration.
Occlusives are essential oils that genuinely block TEWL in the Stratum Corneum (Sethi et
al., 2016). Overall, hyaluronic acid is a humectant type of moisturizer that is able to draw
water from two sources and make the skin more hydrated thus we can get many advantages
for our skin.

         Proper hydration of the skin with hyaluronic acid in our body offers many benefits to
our body, including anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, tissue regeneration, wound recuperation
(Bukhari et al., 2018), and many others. First, the loss of skin moisture can make skin aging
(Papakonstantinou et al., 2012). Therefore hyaluronic acid moisture the skin with capacity
and retain water molecules thereby it can be anti-aging roles. Second, HA is actively
produced, regulating tissue repair and diseases, also activating T cells as the inflammatory
cells during tissue injury (Marinho et al., 2021), thus making hyaluronic acid role as an anti-
inflammatory. Third, regeneration tissue starts right after tissues damage thus HA is actively
produced and makes viscous gel formed as a buffer for the surrounding tissue and remodeling
the process of moisturization of the skin (Marinho et al., 2021). Third, wound healing is a
combination of anti-inflammatory effects and tissue regeneration. Last, besides the four
benefits above, HA also benefits cancer therapy, cartilage regeneration, adipose tissue
engineering, etc (Abatangelo et al., 2020). In sum, In the event that we get sufficient HA, we
will get quick skin recovery thus we can get the different benefits. 

The benefit of hyaluronic acid as a moisturizer is essential to the Indonesian

environment. In addition, hyaluronic acid works effectively by attracting water from two
sources, from the dermis to the epidermis and the humid conditions caused by the climate are
suitable for the humidity condition in Indonesia. However, many Indonesian products are not
using hyaluronic acid as their main ingredient of moisturizer. Most of them are still using an
occlusive type of moisturizer, such as petroleum jelly which has a high demand of products in
the market, and also jicama moisturizing cream that has been the best choice in years. In fact,
hyaluronic acid can be combined with an occlusive type to maximize the moisturizing result
obtained. In conclusion, the advantages of hyaluronic acid will be optimal in tropical
countries such as Indonesia. 
 References :
Abatangelo, G., Vindigni, V., Avruscio, G., Pandis, L., & Brun, P. (2020). Hyaluronic Acid: Redefining Its
Role. Cells, 9(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/CELLS9071743

Atmanto, D. (2019). Effectiveness of utilizing VCO oil and castor oil on natural creams for dry skin
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https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1402/2/022093

Bukhari, S. N. A., Roswandi, N. L., Waqas, M., Habib, H., Hussain, F., Khan, S., Sohail, M., Ramli, N. A., Thu,
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Purnamawati, S., Indrastuti, N., Danarti, R., & Saefudin, T. (2017). The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing
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