Introduction: Winter and Skin
Winter invites us to retreat, to introspection, and to rest. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this season is the season of Water: it nourishes the Kidneys, protects our vital essence, and teaches us serenity. Our skin, a mirror of this inner rhythm, becomes more fragile in the face of cold and dryness. It then craves a source of both retention and fluidity.
Hyaluronic acid, a molecule naturally present in the dermis, embodies this function: it retains water, preserves elasticity, and reflects the wisdom of Water within us. Bridging modern science and ancestral tradition, it becomes the bridge connecting skin protection and energy balance.
What is hyaluronic acid?
From a scientific standpoint, hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide naturally present in our skin, joints, and tissues. Its essential function is to retain water: a single molecule can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water.
This molecule was discovered in 1934 by Karl Meyer and John Palmer, two ophthalmologists at Columbia University (New York). They isolated it from the vitreous humor of a cow's eye. The term "hyaluronic" comes from the Greek words hyalos (glass, vitreous) and uronic (related to glucuronic acid), referring to its chemical structure.
Its use in cosmetics became widespread in the 1980s , where it became a key ingredient for hydration and anti-aging. Today, hyaluronic acid is no longer extracted from animal tissues as it once was. It is obtained through biotechnology: microorganisms (such as certain bacteria or yeasts) cultivated in the laboratory produce the molecule, which is then purified. This sustainable process allows for control of molecule size to target specific benefits, from deep hydration to surface protection.
Modes of action:
In the skin, it acts as a moisture reservoir, maintaining suppleness and firmness. Depending on its molecular weight, it acts at different levels:
- Low molecular weight (LMW) : approximately 20 to 300 kDa (kilodaltons). These small molecules penetrate deeper into the skin and stimulate regeneration, elasticity, and deep hydration. Indeed, by reaching the dermis, they promote the synthesis of collagen and elastin, improving skin firmness and elasticity.
- High molecular weight (HMP) : approximately 1,000 to 1,800 kDa . These large molecules remain on the surface, creating a protective film and limiting water evaporation. An immediate plumping effect and improved skin comfort are achieved.
| Characteristic |
Low molecular weight (20–300 kDa) |
High molecular weight (1000–1800 kDa) |
|---|---|---|
| Molecule size | Small, light fragments | Large, long chains |
| Penetration | It penetrates the stratum corneum and acts deep within. | Remains on the surface of the epidermis |
| Main action | Stimulates cell regeneration , promotes collagen production and elasticity | Forms a protective film , limits evaporation |
| Visible effects | Long-lasting hydration , firmness, suppleness | Immediate plumping effect , skin comfort |
| Importance of winter in Traditional Chinese Medicine | Preserves the skin 's internal vitality | Protects against cold and drought |
Hyaluronic acid and the Water element in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Water is the element of winter. It embodies depth, reserve, and vitality. The Kidneys , associated with this element, are considered the guardians of Jing , the vital essence .
Similarly, hyaluronic acid acts as a guardian of water in the skin: it stores it and works deep within. Winter is a time of conservation: the body rests, and energy reserves are lowered. Hyaluronic acid helps the skin retain its resources and remain supple.
Thanks to the protective film it creates on the surface, it helps maintain our defensive Qi and protects the skin against cold and dryness. Indeed, cold, wind, and lack of humidity weaken the skin barrier. The skin becomes dry, dull, and sometimes uncomfortable.
On an emotional level, water in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is linked to calm, serenity, and confidence. Taking care of your skin with a moisturizing active ingredient becomes a ritual of recentering, a way to nourish both body and mind.
Nuence-MTC WATER Ritual: The Holistic Response
In the Nuence-MTC Water ritual, the answer is holistic and coherent: the rich anti-aging cream and the anti-aging supplement combine two forms of hyaluronic acid that work deep down, each with a specific function.
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The face cream, formulated with a molecular weight of 10 to 150 kDa , penetrates the dermis to stimulate cell regeneration, strengthen elasticity and provide lasting hydration.
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The supplement, enriched with 800 kDa hyaluronic acid , also acts in the dermis, but with a more marked capacity for retention and structuring, consolidating water reserves and skin comfort.
Together, these two complementary products create an "in & out" synergy : a holistic, internal and external action that deeply nourishes, protects, and regenerates the skin, mirroring the Water element in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This ritual is thus an invitation to experience winter in harmony with Water, preserving one's vitality and inner beauty.
- Deep hydration : thanks to hyaluronic acid, the skin regains suppleness and comfort.
- Seasonal protection : a rich texture that envelops and protects, ideal for winter.
- Sensory ritual : a moment of pause, a breath, a connection to oneself.
Conclusion
Hyaluronic acid is more than a technical active ingredient: it is a modern incarnation of Water, a guardian of hydration, vitality and skin protection.
By integrating it into a holistic ritual, NUENCE-MTC creates this link between science and ancestral wisdom. This winter, let the Water nourish your skin and your vital energy.
And you, how do you take care of your skin in winter?
