Neova Advanced HA Hyaluronic Acid Serum 1 Oz

A hyaluronic acid serum that carries three DNA repair enzymes alongside the hydration. Neova's own name for it is a self-correcting hyaluronic acid serum with DNA repair enzymes, and that is the accurate description of what is in the bottle.

What is Neova Advanced HA?

Neova calls it "a high-performance hyaluronic acid serum designed to deliver multi-level hydration", and says the low molecular weight form penetrates more effectively than one that sits on the surface.

The enzymes are listed above the hyaluronic acid

This is the fact worth knowing before you compare it against a cheaper hyaluronic acid serum. Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Micrococcus Lysate and Plankton Extract sit tenth, eleventh and twelfth on a list of thirty three. Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid sits thirteenth, below all three.

Our reading of it: the hydration is real and it is not what you are paying the difference for. The three enzymes are, and they are the same three in DNA Total Repair. Neova's own answer on owning both is that this one is an addition rather than a replacement, and that DNA Total Repair goes on first.

What else is in it

Three ceramides, Ceramide NP, AP and EOP, which Neova describes as lipids that support the skin's barrier function, maintain moisture balance, and protect against irritating environmental aggressors. Carnosine, ginkgo biloba leaf extract and tocopherol sit alongside them.

What to check before you buy

Witch hazel water is the second ingredient, ahead of everything except water. If witch hazel does not agree with you, that position matters. Alcohol is nineteenth of thirty three, which is a very different quantity, and it is ethanol rather than one of the fatty alcohols that behave as emollients. Neither is hidden, and the full list is in the Ingredients tab.

Apply it to damp skin, not dry

Damp, not dry. That half of Neova's instruction is the one most often skipped, and it matters: a humectant works by holding water, so it wants water to hold. The dose and the rest of the order are in the How to Use tab.

Advanced HA specifications

Texture, dose, frequency and the ingredient descriptions are Neova's own. Every position and every free-from line is read from the ingredient list.

Where it fits in a routine

After cleansing, on skin still damp, before anything heavier. It layers under a moisturizer or blends into one. If the concern is sun damage rather than dryness, Power Defense is the antioxidant serum in the same range. The rest of the line is on our Neova skincare page.

How to Use

• Two to three pumps on clean, damp skin, morning and evening. Neova's dose and Neova's word for the skin it goes on.


• On its own, or blended into your moisturizer. Neova permits both.


• If your face has dried off, mist or damp it again first. One of our reviewers does exactly that and reports it spreads more evenly.


• Using a vitamin C? Neova says apply the vitamin C first, then this, to boost hydration and reduce potential irritation.


• Using a retinol? Neova says use hyaluronic acid after retinol, or before and after, the sandwich method, and to follow with sunscreen.


• Own DNA Total Repair as well? Neova says that one goes on first, and that this is an addition rather than a replacement.

Neova Advanced HA FAQ

Does it contain copper peptide or niacinamide? Neither. The ingredient list runs to thirty three items and the word copper does not appear on it. The copper peptide products are Creme de la Copper, Night Therapy, Power Defense, Daily Moisture, Cu3 Gentle Cleanser and Cu3 Lip Repair.

Do I need this if I already own DNA Total Repair? Neova's answer is that it is an addition rather than a replacement: DNA Total Repair for targeted repair, this one for hydration, and DNA Total Repair applied first when you use both. They carry the same three enzymes, so the reason to own both is the hydration, not the enzymes.

Why damp skin? A humectant holds water, so it needs water to hold. One of our reviewers found it spreads more evenly on a misted face than a towelled one.

There is alcohol in it. Is that a problem? It is nineteenth of thirty three, and it is ethanol rather than a fatty alcohol. Whether that matters is a question about your own skin rather than about the formula. Witch hazel water is the more significant one, at second on the list.

Vitamin C, retinol or sunscreen? Neova says yes to all three. Vitamin C first, then this. After retinol, or either side of it. Sunscreen over the top.

Is it suitable for sensitive skin? Neova publishes no warning, caution or patch test for it, and its own concern tags are dehydrated and dry skin rather than sensitivity. The witch hazel position is the thing to check first.

KEY INGREDIENTS

Descriptions below are Neova's own.

• Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid). Humectant that binds to collagen and water to give skin its bounce. Thirteenth of thirty three.


• Three DNA repair enzymes. OGG-1 from Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, UV-endonuclease from Micrococcus Lysate and Photolyase from Plankton Extract, at tenth, eleventh and twelfth.


• Three ceramides. Lipids that support skin's barrier function, maintain moisture balance, and protect against irritating environmental aggressors. Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP and Ceramide EOP.

FULL INGREDIENTS

Water (Aqua), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Peg-12 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Plankton Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carnosine, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Ceramide EOP.

Thirty three ingredients in total. No copper peptide and no niacinamide.