The TL; DR version of HA is that it's a huge polymer (big molecule from repeated subunits) found in the skin that acts as a sponge helping the skin to hold onto water, being plump and elastic. Jasmine has a fantastic post on the differences between retinoids here, if you're confused by it all (and don't worry, you won't be the only one who is! If you wanna become a real HA-and-the-skin expert you can read way more about the topic at hyaluronic acid (including penetration-questions, differences between high and low molecular weight versions and a bunch of references to scientific literature).

It’s a nice ingredient that just feels good on the skin, is super well tolerated by every skin type and easy to formulate with. The milky texture of the essence applies with a refreshing, lightweight feel, leaving skin with a healthy-looking glow.

Great natural moisturizer and skin-identical ingredient that plays an important role in skin hydration and general skin health. The specially designed vacuum bottle provides seven layers of active protection from external factors. Super common little helper ingredient that helps products to remain nice and stable for a longer time. If you have never used a retinoid product, or have ultra sensitive skin, this could be your introduction to the ingredient, but for my skin, this alone won't make any significant difference.

It often comes to the formula coupled with Sorbitan Olivate as the two together form the well-known, natural emulsifier trade named Olivem 1000. It's a high oleic acid oil ( 50-67% oleic acid and only 0-5% linoleic acid) that makes it very emollient and ideal for dry skin types (and less ideal for acne-prone skin). Its main job is to be a solvent, but it has also very good antimicrobial properties and acts as a true preservative booster. In reality, it's nowhere near that powerful, but it can smooth wrinkles to some extent by preventing facial muscles from contracting.In short, it can reduce fine lines, wrinkles and improve skin texture significantly (and at crazy low concentrations, the studies were done with just 3 ppm that is 0. retinal, and using a technology exclusive to AHC, it increases both the stability and the absorption of retinal, which in this range is 11 times more effective than retintol. After 8 weeks there was a significant reduction of wrinkle depth and height and skin roughness has also improved greatly.