Understanding Skin Reaction to Hyaluronic Acid Mixed with Water

It's concerning to hear about the skin tightness, bumps, and rash you experienced after using Hyaluronic Acid (HA) mixed with water. While Hyaluronic Acid is generally considered a gentle and effective hydrating ingredient, using it in a simple homemade solution can sometimes lead to unexpected reactions.

Several factors could contribute to the symptoms you described:

• Concentration: Using too high a concentration of Hyaluronic Acid, especially larger molecular weight types, can draw moisture out of the skin in low humidity environments, leading to a feeling of tightness and potential irritation.
• Lack of Preservative: Mixing HA powder with plain water creates a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Without a proper preservative, microbial growth can occur rapidly, and applying this contaminated solution to the skin can cause rashes, bumps, and irritation. Product descriptions for HA powders often emphasize the critical need to add a preservative like Phenoxyethanol.
• Molecular Weight: Different molecular sizes of HA (such as Standard, Small, Large, Nano, or Super Low Molecule) penetrate the skin to varying degrees. Using a type or combination that isn't suitable for your skin condition or at an inappropriate concentration could cause issues.
• Quality and Purity: The source and purity of the Hyaluronic Acid powder can vary. Contaminants in lower-grade materials might trigger a reaction.
• Water Quality: The type of water used (e.g., tap water vs. distilled water) could also introduce impurities or microorganisms.
• Skin Barrier Health: If your skin barrier is already compromised, it may react more easily to any applied substance, even something typically mild.
• Interaction with Other Products: As the staff mentioned, other products in your routine could interact with the HA solution.

The tightness you felt could be related to concentration or molecular weight, while the bumps and rash strongly suggest an irritant reaction, possibly due to microbial contamination from the lack of a preservative.

To help pinpoint the exact cause and provide accurate advice, it is crucial to provide the details requested by the staff, including:

1. The specific type and concentration of Hyaluronic Acid used.
2. The type of water used for mixing.
3. Whether any preservative was added.
4. Your complete current skincare routine (all products used).
5. Your skin type and condition before and after using the HA mixture.
6. Any previous products used and if similar reactions occurred.

Providing this information will allow for a more precise analysis of the situation.

For future formulations or if you prefer a simpler approach, consider using a pre-formulated Hyaluronic Acid Gel Base or a liquid form of HA like 4D Hyaluronic Acid or 8D Hyaluronic Acid, as these products are typically manufactured with appropriate preservatives and tested for stability and safety when used as directed or diluted according to recommendations.