A new favorite making the rounds in all the discussions about anti-aging in the skincare industry is Hyaluronic Acid. It may sound like some complicated chemical to be used in labs only by trained specialists but it really isn’t.
While it is a more specialized ingredient for skin care, it is not something that requires more than the usual precaution when handling skincare products. But what is Hyaluronic Acid why has it become so popular in the beauty industry for skincare?
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic Acid is a molecule naturally produced by our bodies which helps keep the body hydrated with its moisture binding properties. It is usually found in our eyes, joints and our skin. Despite being naturally occurring, the amount produced by the body on a daily basis starts reducing as we age.
How Does is Affect the Skin?
Due to its moisture locking properties, Hyaluronic Acid has a deep impact on the look and feel of the skin. It can hold up to 1000x its weight in water which allows it to efficiently absorb water and then use it to keep the skin moisturized.
Given its properties, coupled with the fact that the body production of Hyaluronic Acid reduces over years, it is easy to understand why it plays such a significant role in aging.
Key Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid for the Skin:
Hyaluronic Acid is very multidimensional in the range of benefits it offers in addition to hydration. Following are some of the ways in which Hyaluronic Acid helps the body:
1. Improves Hydration
Due to its moisture locking properties, Hyaluronic Acid helps keeps the skin moisturized and plumped. The moisture keeps the skin from losing its softness and elasticity and overall helps improve skin health.
2. Fights Free Radicals
Hyaluronic Acid has antioxidant properties which help defend against the free radicals in the body. Because free radicals can be dangerous to the body, this is an important benefit of the molecule.
3. Boosts Production of Collagen
Collagen is an abundant protein in the body which boosts immunity, fights free radicals and provide a range of benefits. Because Hyaluronic Acid boosts the production of collagen, it indirectly plays a part in providing these benefits to the body.
4. Has Anti-bacterial Properties
Hyaluronic Acid has been found to have anti-bacterial properties. Using these properties, it allows the body to defend itself against some common colds and diseases.
5. Supports Healing
Hyaluronic Acid not only helps reduce inflammation, it also boosts healing and skin based wounds. Because collagen also boosts healing, Hyaluronic Acid’s role in production of collagen also contributes to healing support.
How Has It Entered the Skincare Market
Hyaluronic Acid has a significant impact on the skin’s health, hence, it is no surprise that skincare industry is now flooded with demand for products which include the ingredient. However, how did it enter the skincare market?
Simply put, the important role Hyaluronic Acid plays in skin care and hydration got noticed by the brands conducting cosmetic and skincare research. Once highlighted, it was only a matter of determining which combinations best worked with Hyaluronic Acid to boost skin care.
Market Growth
Since its discovery by the beauty industry, Hyaluronic Acid’s market growth has been phenomenal! Its largest market is in North America and market forecasts predict a CAGR of 9.8% for Hyaluronic Acid between the years 2020-2025.
This demand is a result of the shift in consumer focus towards health and wellness especially when it comes to the cosmetic and skincare industries. With Gen X seeking anti-aging products and millennials more natural skin care, the demand for Hyaluronic Acid is here to stay.
Hyaluronic Acid and Korean Skin Care
Korean skincare regimes started gaining immense popularity around 2015 when the western market started following the Korean makeup and beauty influencers. Because of the effectiveness of Korean skin care, it soon became a hit with its global audience and it wasn’t long before an explosive demand for it emerged in the western market.
Focus on Natural Ingredients in Korean Skin Care
One of the reasons for the effectiveness and popularity of K-beauty is that the Korean skin care products extensively use naturally occurring ingredients. This ensures that products are less likely to cause the skin to react badly and are more compatible with a variety of skin types.
One of the most common components of the Korean skincare products is Hyaluronic Acid because of the number of ways in which it boosts skin health.
Incredible Results and Demand for Korean Skin Care
The usage of Hyaluronic Acid, along with other well researched and dermatologically sound ingredients, in Korean skincare products led to amazing results for most consumers but especially for people with sensitive skin.
Since then, Korean skin care has seen a drastic increase in demand in not just the western but in the global market and the demand simply keeps growing. Consumers are hooked onto the various Hyaluronic Acid based Korean skincare products and go the extra mile to acquire them.
Because K-Beauty products have shown consistent results and the demand is growing, there is also emerging a supply gap in the market for them. This has created a sizeable opportunities for the western retailers and wholesalers in the skincare industry to move in to fill the gap and profit off the $10.3 billion (2019) market.
Popular Hyaluronic Acid Products in the Market
Since the K-beauty Hyaluronic Acid based products are in such high demand, let’s look at some of the most popular ones which have drawn the most attention from the consumers.
1. COSRX : Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence
One of the most well liked K-Beauty products with Hyaluronic Acid is the COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence. The most common opinion shared by skincare enthusiasts who have used the product is that the products leaves the skin extremely well moisturized.
With the deep nutrition offered by Sodium Hyaluronate (a water soluble form of hyaluronic acid), the Essence freshens up and livens up the skin. It gives the skin a soft and dewy glow and regular usage helps it continue looking young, fresh and healthy.
2. Laneige : Water Sleeping Mask
Designed to heal dehydrated skin, this sleeping mask acts as a super moisturizer and return the lively glow back to the skin. It has been infused with multiple ingredients which allow it to heal from the regular skin.
Hyaluronic Acid especially boosts the process of skin healing and helps lock moisture in the skin overnight while allowing the skin to absorb the multiple nutrients of the product.
The result is a healthy looking, soft and radiant skin.
3. Dr. Jart+ : Cryo Rubber Mask With Moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid
This Cryo Rubber Mask, made from a patented formula by Dr. Jart+, is the go to Hyaluronic Acid product in Korean skin care for a number of consumers. Designed for all skin types, the mask allows the moisture to seep into the skin and get absorbed with the help of the efficient actions of the Hyaluronic Acid.
It has a clinical trial research backed claim of stimulating blood circulation and reducing redness. It helps the skin stay fresh and radiant and heal from the routine damage.
4. Banila Co : Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm
Perfect for the deep cleaning required during make up removal, the Banila Cleansing Balm has incredibly hydrating properties as a result of Hyaluronic Acid and other key ingredients.
It helps moisturize the skin and deep clean the more while simultaneously removing any lasting effects from the make-up residue. It heals the skin and returns to it the natural radiance and plumpness in addition to making it healthy.
Conclusion
Hyaluronic Acid has provided irreplaceable solutions for healthy and moisturizing skin care. It has had a lasting impact on the beauty industry and its demand is only going to increase further with time.
K-Beauty products have a significant share of the total hyaluronic acid based products in the market. This makes it a sound decision to invest in them in order to capitalize on the phenomenal demand.
K-Beauty products are still not as widely available in the US market and this presents a spectacular opportunity to the wholesalers and retailers in the beauty industry. Now is the right time for them to make the most of this business opportunity because the competition is still in the process of realizing the significance.
With the state of demand, the ones to move first will have the advantage.
Opportunity for You
If you are a retailer/wholesaler who wants to take full advantage of this opportunity and are looking to partner with a supplier, we can help.
UMMA offers wholesale K-Beauty e-commerce for a number of renowned Korean skin care and cosmetic brands to interested wholesalers or retailers. Partnering with us comes with a range of benefits including:
- Access to the biggest Korean skin care and beauty brands.
- Staying ahead of the competition.
- Staying updated about the latest trends in K-Beauty
Simply register on our website for free and get a registration bonus you can use on your first purchase!
