The 'powerful' skin care ingredient experts swear by to 'significantly decrease' wrinkles in 28 days

Skin gurus said: "It can be a minefield trying to work out what's what in the world of skin care.

"However, Dr Janine David [GP & Women’s Health Specialist], says that hyaluronic acid is vital to slow down the signs of ageing and quench skin's thirst."

So...what is hyaluronic acid, and why is it so good for the skin?

Hyaluronic acid, the key ingredient within Hada Labo Tokyo's range, is "a powerful humectant which binds to and holds water molecules". (Humectants are essentially ingredients that attract water to the skin and prevent it from drying out.)

The experts explained: "Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule found throughout the body. It's most abundant in the skin and is important for hydration and wound healing.

"As a humectant, hyaluronic acid binds to and holds water molecules, helping keep skin hydrated and bouncy."

Our levels of hyaluronic acid deplete over time, though, confirmed GP and skin specialist Dr Nisa Aslam. For "hydrated and bouncy" skin as you age, topical application is key.

Indeed, the expert warned: "A lack of hyaluronic acid can lead to wrinkles, dryness, and fine lines."

Super hyaluronic acid and anti-ageing

There are several types of hyaluronic acid out there, but according to the gurus, one remains the gold standard.

The experts referenced a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, which found that acetylated sodium hyaluronate (aka super hyaluronic acid) enables "better and deeper penetration through the skin layers".

What's more, it promises fast results: exhibiting "efficient anti-wrinkle activity" in just 28 days.

Researchers confirmed that the use of super hyaluronic acid "significantly decreased" the number and total area of nasogenian wrinkles (the fine, deep lines on the sides of the mouth) in this time frame.

As for crow's feet (the fine lines that form on the outer corners of the eyes), researchers "observed a slight decrease in the total number of wrinkles six hours after application" when evaluating the "flash effect".

Of course, these didn't disappear forever; "throughout the day, skin fatigue occurs, thus increasing wrinkle number and depth".

However, it "confirmed at the clinical level that sodium acetylated hyaluronate, through its rapid penetration into the deep epidermis and resistance to hyaluronidase, provides a benefit on wrinkles by filling them".

"Thus, sodium acetylated hyaluronate preserved the initial state of the skin and limited the formation of wrinkles associated with skin fatigue, acting as a natural filler with a mechanical effect," experts added.

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The various forms of hyaluronic acid can be found in all types of skin care products, such as cleansers, sunscreens, hydrator lotions, eye cream, and more.

But alarmingly, not enough women are using it. In fact, only 29 per cent of women use sunscreen that contains hyaluronic acid, even though it's "the hydration hero known for its anti-ageing properties".

"This is despite 81 per cent [of survey respondents] acknowledging a clear link between sun damage and skin ageing, and three-quarters being concerned about the sun's impact on ageing skin," the experts added.

The Hada Labo Tokyo Water-resistant moisturising sunscreen lotion SPF50 (50ml) is retailed at £18.99 in Superdrug, and contains three types of hyaluronic acid, including the "super" variety.

Aside from hyaluronic acid, there are countless active ingredients out there promising skin-boosting benefits.

One 77-year-old who maintains a radiant complexion shared the products she's been using for years.