Content Design

Scientists at the Matrix Biology Institute have developed a completely new complex hyaluronan system to be used in skin care formulations. Using proprietary polymerization methods, a network of large hyaluronan molecular chains is bound into an assembly of very large coils. These coils form spheroidal particles of virtually infinite molecular weight. The spheroidal particles can absorb and release large volumes of water, or water-soluble molecules, much like a sponge: thus the name HylaSponge® System. HylaSponges® retain a large amount of water even when they feel dry on the surface of the skin.

HylaSponges® are an essential component of the HylaSponge® System. Other components of the System are small and large molecular weight hyaluronan molecules. This unique mixture and the proprietary HylaSponges® provide longer lasting and more penetrating hydration.

Figure A

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Figure A. The HylaSponge® System acts as a “second skin” and retains much of its water (see also Figure B), while delivering its components to the skin. The space in between the HylaSponges is occupied by large molecular weight, soluble hyaluronan (2). The small molecular weight soluble hyaluronan (3) is inside as well as around the HylaSponge®. Optional additions of biologically active small molecules (4) such as vitamins, amino acids and peptides are distributed in the water around and filling the HylaSponges.

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Figure B

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Figure B. The HylaSponge® System releases water to the skin, enabling diffusion of the large (2) and small (3) hyaluronan molecules and the (4) biologically active molecules into the stratum corneum (5) of the skin, with the latter two molecules diffusing toward the deeper layers of the skin.
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Hydrating Properties

Water retention and distribution are essential elements for proper skin care. Figures 1, 2 and 3 demonstrate the effectiveness of HylaSponges® in retaining large volumes of water.

Figure 1. Dry (non-hydrated) HylaSponge® molecules.

Figure 3. The HylaSponge® System hydrates and swells in water or in the liquid part of a formulation. The tube on the right shows the dry HylaSponge® System (0.05 g in dry form). The tube on the left shows how the dry HylaSponge® System picks up water in the formulation and forms a viscous and elastic liquid. The volume (or weight) of the hydrated HylaSponge® System is 100 times greater than that of the dry particles. This demonstrates the exceptionally high “hydrating properties” of the HylaSponge® System. When it feels dry on the on the surface of the skin, it still contains about 30% water. (Courtesy of Matrix Biology Institute)

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Figure 2. Three hydrated HylaSponges® close to one another. Note how the sponges have increased 100 times in volume during the hydration process (Courtesy of Matrix Biology Institute)

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Molecular Weight Analysis

The HylaSponge® System is comprised of three different hyaluronans
• The HylaSponge® – an infinitely large single molecule
• Large Molecules – average molecular weight 2,000,000
• Small Molecules – average molecular weight 70,000

Figure 4. In this graph, the distribution of small and large molecular weight, water-soluble hyaluronan in the HylaSponge® System is represented in a gel electrophoresis analysis of molecular weights. Hyaluronan is a polymeric molecule consisting of a family of molecules with various molecular weights (sizes). This is how they appear in nature as well as in purified form. The curve shows the distribution of the small and large molecules. Note that the molecular weights are in a logarithmic scale. The peak molecular weight for the small molecules is at 70,000 and for the large one, 2,000,000. (Courtesy of Matrix Biology Institute)

Filling and Smoothing Effect

Figure 5. The “filling and smoothing” effect of the HylaSponge® System. A drop (0.02 mL) of the HylaSponge® System, containing 40 µg of pure hyaluronan dissolved in water (concentration 0.2%), was spread on the skin on the tip of the finger and photographed at 10x magnification.

(Courtesy of Matrix Biology Institute)

A. The grooves on the surface of the human skin (finger) before application.
B. The drop of the HylaSponge® System on the skin
C. The drop of HylaSponge® System spread as a very thin layer on the surface of the skin, masking the deep grooves