27 In Beauty

PureHA – can ingestible Hyaluronic Acid improve your skin from within?

I’m a huge fan of Hyaluronic Acid on the skin.  Many skincare products I use contain this ingredient, and I can see a big difference in the look and feel of my skin when I use it regularly (this one is one of my favourites).  PureHA contacted me to see if I’d like to try their sachets of digestible HA, so of course I said Yes!  I’m well aware of how it works on the skin, but I was curious to see how it would work from the inside out.  PureHA’s liquid HA is apparently stable enough to withstand digestive juices and still pass through the intestinal wall to be absorbed and used by the body.  They asked me to document the change in my skin over 60 day period of taking their product.  We agreed that once a week, I’d take a selfie with my iPhone, usually on my way to gym (a time when I’d have my hair away from my face and would have almost no makeup on).   In hindsight, I probably should have used a ‘real’ camera rather than an iPhone, because I look a bit distorted and deranged in a few of the photos (I was trying to take them close up so you could see any changes in my skin, but the closer you go, the weirder your face looks).  I knew I could consistently make time for a quick iPhone snap, whereas finding someone to take a photo when I was on my way out the door, with the same lighting setup every day isn’t so easy.

Here we go! Brace yourself for some interesting photos over a two month period… some where I’m still sleepy, or hungover, or still have wet hair.  I’m in front of  my bedroom window, so the lighting changes every day depending on the weather.   I haven’t edited or tweaked or filtered or done anything to the photos.  In fact, you’ll see my classic vacation breakout on the last one.  See if you can see a change and we’ll chat more after the photos.

A full makeup one, just to give you a break!

So, here are my personal findings on PureHA.  The ‘worst’ parts of my skin, like the area under my eyes, didn’t show lots of improvement.  My overall skin tone on the large ‘good’ areas, like my cheeks and forehead, felt softer and more hydrated.  The area where I saw the biggest improvement was on my eczema.  I had several dry patches just behind my ears, one in the crease of my eye (visible on the left side in the second photo), and two large patches that go from the end of my eyebrows out to my temples; those are all gone.  I keep the patches on my temples so slathered with oil and cream that they aren’t noticeable in these photos, but the dry texture is very visible in real life.  I drink more than 4 litres of water a day, so I definitely don’t have a general hydration issue with my skin.  The fact that I’ve seen improvement in my eczema is reason enough for me to continue taking PureHA.  I’d also like to see if the rest of my skin continues to improve as well.  In the interest of science, I’d like to then discontinue it, just to see if my eczema gets worse again.  I’ve also made another big change in my skincare routine recently (more on that in another post… my experimentation with skincare knows NO bounds!) which is probably also helping alongside the PureHA.  It is definitely worth trying this if you have dry skin or eczema, or if you are just a mad scientist with your skin, like I am!

My friend Liz of WhatLizzyLoves also tried PureHA alongside me, and you can read her thoughts on it here.

Thank you to PureHA for sponsoring this post.  I’m not sure about their international availability, but in the UK, you can find it here on their website.

 

linking to: honestmum, notdressedaslamb,

 

 

 

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27 Comments

  • Reply
    RetroChicMama
    July 17, 2017 at 6:15 PM

    You have the most amazing mouth woman! I want your lips…Oh is that weird? As for taking HA I’m embaressed to say I still haven’t even started using it topically even though everyone raves about it. I am going to start right now & order the Ren you recommended. Also I definitely need to drink more water, thank you for reminding me xx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 9:06 PM

      Oh my, well thank you SO MUCH, Michelle. I never thought my lips were anything special. You’d probably see amazing benefits if you started taking HA topically if you’ve never used it before. I adore the stuff. I’ve also used one from Dermalogica for years; you just add a few drops into any lotion to improve it. The REN one is my favourite one though. It even smells delicious. And Yes, drink up some H20 woman! xx

  • Reply
    melissa
    July 17, 2017 at 10:30 PM

    Yeah- what Retrochicmama said about your mouth. Ditto. Hyaluronic acid- I do love it topically and have been looking at a US brand that sells the ingestible type. Interesting findings…..I must know more. But all that aside- my hat goes off to you for the iphone selphies. As someone who recently tried to photograph her own eye for mascara reviews- I am in complete awe at your skill here. If I have to keep taking my own photos I am going to need serious therapy.
    Thanks for the great info!
    ~Melissa
    https://freshairandfalselashes.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 8:50 PM

      Oh that is so sweet, Melissa! Thank you 🙂 Definitely try a GOOD brand of the ingestible HA, and see if you see any improvement or not.

      Selfies are a pain, unless you have a stick, which I do NOT! Selfies in front of a window when you are squinting is also a pain. I only did this because the brand asked me to and was very sure I’d see improvement (which I did) but it isn’t well-captured on a phone. The distortion effect is real; I really do look crazed in some of them, or like my face has melted on one side, hahaha.

      xx

  • Reply
    notdressedaslamb
    July 18, 2017 at 2:24 PM

    This is very interesting reading about the effect on your eczema, Lisa – I have it in almost exactly the same places, weird! The worst patches are behind my ears so it would be interesting to see if PureHA had any effect on mine.

    Plus I’ll echo the mouth compliments… I’ve always thought you’ve got beautiful lips, it’s why you wear red lipstick so well!! 😉

    Catherine x
    http://notdressedaslamb.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 8:44 PM

      You should really give this a try if you have eczema, Catherine. It seems very skin-supportive and makes that weak eczema skin more resilient.

      Gosh, thanks about the lips. 🙂 xx

  • Reply
    Mithra Ballesteros
    July 18, 2017 at 7:15 PM

    Okay so your lips might have captivated your readers but I’d like to talk about your eyelashes. The bottom ones to be specific. I’d never before noticed until your brave selfie fest that you have a lower lash gift from the gods. Oh, and I’ve just gone off and purchased that REN cream. Thank you!

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 8:43 PM

      Ooo, let me know how you get on with the REN cream. You put it on, THEN add water, and then smoosh it all around on your skin to absorb, before you put a usual cream or lotion on top. I love it.

      Thank you re: bottom eyelashes! I’d never really noticed anything special about them, but thanks so much 🙂 xx

  • Reply
    Jamie
    July 18, 2017 at 11:34 PM

    Hmmm.. I’ve always wondered about this product and your review was quite interesting. (*although I thought I’d see a slight difference under your eyes)

    Thanks for sharing!

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 8:41 PM

      I’m hoping if I KEEP taking it for a bit longer, the benefits may eventually start showing up under my eyes. I’m a contact lens wearer, so I’m always fidgeting and adjusting with my eyes. xx

  • Reply
    mikialamode.com
    July 19, 2017 at 1:21 AM

    First off, you are a serious natural beauty! I love this eview of PureHA. I use products with Hyaluronic Acid but never thought of ingesting it. I have really dehydrated skin because I rarely drink water unless I work out (in which case I drink about 2-4 ltrs of water from just the workout because I sweat like a beast). It’s good to know about the hydrating aspect of it, which would be good for the healing process on my acne scars that I cover up with make up!

    Xo,
    Miki
    http://mikialamode.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 8:29 PM

      I think you should try it for a month or two and see how you get on! I don’t think this brand is available in the US, but others will be. It should really help with hydration issues. xx

  • Reply
    thestylesplash
    July 19, 2017 at 10:19 PM

    You have beautiful skin to start with, you’ve obviously worn spf every day! Your eyelashes are quite mesmerizing. I’m rubbish at doing selfies and the front facing camera on my iPhone makes me look like something the cat’s puked up!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 20, 2017 at 3:54 PM

      Honestly, I have been AWFUL with my skin; I should look like a leather bag. I could never wear sunscreen because it always broke me out, so I skipped it. At least the formulations have improved in recent years, so I’ve tried to wear makeup with sunscreen for the past 10 years or so. But THANK YOU 🙂 I find selfies either look really good (and look nothing like me!) or really terrible (and look nothing like me!). A real camera is much better, for sure. I can’t imagine you not looking gorge in a selfie, Emma. xx

  • Reply
    Lisa
    July 20, 2017 at 3:36 PM

    I’d love to see the results after a couple months! You’re a beauty my sweet friend! And you have the prettiest eyes! Great read Lisa!

    Lisa xo

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 20, 2017 at 3:56 PM

      I see enough of a difference that I’ll definitely continue to take it… fingers crossed my under eye area improves as much as the rest! Thank you so much, Lisa. xx

  • Reply
    LA CONTESSA
    July 20, 2017 at 5:45 PM

    GORGEOUS! YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Now I must GO back and RE-LOOK!!!!!!!!!!
    DRY PATCHES????!!!!!!
    I did not NOTICE ANYTHING except those EYES of YOURS!
    XX

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 20, 2017 at 9:11 PM

      I probably should have used a ‘real’ camera to capture the dry patches. In my yellow coat post (previous) I had terrible patches, but just used the photos where they weren’t visible! Thank you so much, darling Elizabeth. xx

  • Reply
    Abby@Midlifecrisisnut
    July 20, 2017 at 11:51 PM

    I envy you for your flawless skin Lisa! I mean I have those boiled menopause breakouts on my forehead and super thin, dry skin allover so seeing your well hydrated, glowing completion made me totally jealous. Thank you for introducing us to this marvellous product. xx Abby

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 24, 2017 at 1:55 PM

      Oh thank you SO MUCH Abby… it is FAR from flawless, but the iPhone doesn’t capture all of my dryness for some reason. I will do a post on eczema soon and I’ll be sure to use The Big Camera which will highlight all the shizzle that is wrong with my skin! Love to you xx

  • Reply
    No Fear of Fashion
    July 22, 2017 at 10:25 AM

    That was fun, seeing all your different faces haha. You look wonderful without make-up. This is not how I get out of bed.. no way. No lashes and no eyebrows. Like an alien. Please tell me you put on at least mascara.
    It is great you found a product that is good for your skin. On the photos it doesn’t show that you have any skin problems at all. But if it bothers you, then it is good to search for a solution.
    Greetje

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 24, 2017 at 1:53 PM

      Oh, I DEFINITELY have on some makeup here. Eyebrows and mascara for SURE. I won’t even answer the door without both of those 🙂 I even put on some blush in a few of them. I just didn’t put on my usual foundation in some of them so that you could see my skin better… the iPhone camera didn’t capture the level of detail that I’d have liked. xx

  • Reply
    Little Red
    July 24, 2017 at 5:18 AM

    You just said the magic words of “improved the eczema”! I’ve suffered from eczema all my life and while I manage to keep it at bay on my body, on my face, it still reoccurs. Currently, the corner of both my eyelids and above my upper lip are the preferred spots. I will definitely keep an eye out for product like this here in the US.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 24, 2017 at 1:41 PM

      Oh, I completely know the lifelong eczema issues, Little Red. I’ve been working on a post for a few months that addresses eczema, and lists everything that did and didn’t work for me. I’m working with a doctor to get some further info before I publish it, but it will be out this summer. See if you can find a similar product; it has really REALLY helped me. xx

  • Reply
    Glowology
    August 26, 2017 at 6:57 PM

    Hi Lisa! Lovely post and I’m a topical HA girl too. I’ve run out of The Ordinary serum and must reorder – loved it. I also drink a lot of water…but also too much wine! So, hopefully the water cancels out the dehydration from the alcohol 🙂 As well, I suffer from eczema behind ears and in the eyebrows by bridge of nose, so I wonder whether this might work for me? I will check it out. Have a lovely weekend! xx

  • Reply
    ompamela ap
    October 7, 2017 at 3:59 PM

    I’ve been using Hyaluronic Acid for a while. So far I am very pleased with the Lady Soma Renewal Serum (which contains hyaluronic acid) with it. No funky smell or stickiness. I have a combination skin type: dry and oily in t-zone area. My trick is to apply when my face is still wet when it feels really dry cause of the dry weather in California or apply right before.

    It helps my skin hydrated better this way without breaking-outs.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      October 7, 2017 at 9:00 PM

      Oh thanks! I’m going to have a look for that! xx

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