One of the most popular ingredients in skincare recently is Hyaluronic Acid (HA). It’s so popular because of its amazing anti-aging properties and moisture retention properties.
Hyaluronic acid can only come from a few sources. The acid may be derived from 1) humans 2) animals or 3) bacteria and yeast. Humans naturally produce hyaluronic acid in our eyes, joints, and skin. In fact, about half of the hyaluronic acid we produce is hyaluronic acid of the skin. However, our natural production of hyaluronic acid decreases as we age. Consequentially, as we grow older, we are losing the agent responsible for binding water molecules to the epidermis. The water content the outer skin layer and skin surface lipids are vital factors in our skin’s appearance. As your body loses this important hydrant, your skin will look older. By applying hyaluronic acid through creams and serums, it helps skin retain water and appear more youthful.
Lately, we’ve been concerned about what is a “botanical hyaluronic acid” or “vegan hyaluronic acid*.” Knowing what we know about HA, that it can only be found in humans, animals, or grown in a lab, we wanted to consult an expert. Here’s a quote from a microbiologist, “Hyaluronic acid is not found in any plant. Hyaluronic acid is also a salt, which does not occur in plants. Hyaluronic acid can only be extracted from animal byproducts, bacteria, or yeast. The closest plant alternative is Cassia Fistula flower extract, but it is only a plant alternative to HA.” Therefore, there is no such thing as a vegan AND natural hyaluronic acid. The two are mutually exclusive.
The tremella mushroom
What they are extracting from the plant is not hyaluronic acid – it’s a polysaccharide (/polly-sak-er-ide/). At a molecular level, a polysaccharide is a bunch of bonded sugar molecules. The polysaccharide from plants is not a form of hyaluronic acid. The polysaccharides may perform similarly to HA, but they are not the same.
We’re discussing this ingredient today because we have a new product that’s launching very soon. We have been searching for an amazing hydrating ingredient similar to hyaluronic acid, but vegan-friendly. We wanted our ingredient to be all-natural and vegan, and we found the best vegan alternative to hyaluronic acid. Our star ingredient is a polysaccharide extracted from the Tremella Mushroom. It has been proven to have excellent moisture retention effects. The Tremella extract can hold up to 500 times its weight in water, which is better than glycerin and natural hyaluronic acid.
Our new eye serum contains extracts from watermelon seed, cucumber seed, and the tremella mushroom.
In China and Japan, Tremella is considered the “mushroom of beauty.” It is said that the most beautiful woman in Chinese history used Tremella for her “facial and body maintenance.” The mushroom also goes by the names, Silver Ear Mushroom, White Jelly Leaf Mushroom, and Snow Mushroom.
This week, we are bringing this ancient beauty secret to you in our new Crystal Eye Serum, launching on August 2nd. This vegan eye serum also features cucumber seed oil and watermelon seed oil as fellow key ingredients.
- Cucumber Seed Oil contains a large amount of phytosterols which help support skin elasticity and help maintain healthy, hydrated skin.
- Watermelon seed oil contains various minerals, antioxidants, & unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid, omega 3 & 6, & various vitamins and is known for moisturizing dry skin.
- And, unlike any other product on the market, it has a beautiful amethyst as the rollerball. A stone of spirituality and contentment, amethyst conducts the energy of calm and peacefulness to help enhance cooperation between one’s mental and physical bodies.
OY-L can’t wait to bring you our new, vegan Crystal Eye Serum and continue to bring you Beauty Without Secrets. Tune in to our Instagram on August 2nd at 7pm EST to see our official launch!
*Vegan Hyaluronic Acid does exist, but only synthetically made in a lab.
Don’t miss A Night For Green Beauty! This Thursday, August 2nd at 7pm EST, join OY-L on Instagram for a look into our launch party!
Sources:
An Introduction to Biomaterials, Second Edition (Editor: Jeffrey O. Hollinger) 2011. John H. Brekke, Gregory E. Rutkowski, Kipling Thacker, Chapter 19 Hyaluronan.
Sator, P.G.; Schmidt, J.B.; Hönigsmann, H. Comparison of epidermal hydration and skin surface lipids in healthy individuals and in patients with atopic dermatitis. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2003, 48, 352–358.
“Tremella: Ancient Mushroom For Beauty & Health.” Forever Healthy and Young, foreverhealthy.blogspot.com/2012/04/tremella-ancient-mushroom-for-beauty.html.
Hyde, Kevin & Bahkali, Ali & Moslem, Mohamed. (2010). Fungi – An unusual source for cosmetics. Fungal diversity. 43. 1-9. 10.1007/s13225-010-0043-3.
