June 26, 2023

All about Hyaluronic Acid

HYALURONIC ACID BENEFITS FOR YOUR SKIN

Hyaluronic acid may sound intimidating – many of us wouldn't dream of putting acid on our faces – but science shows us it's brilliant in skincare. Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance that has the unique ability to retain moisture. In fact, our bodies produce it naturally to keep our skin soft and supple. It's also found in our eyes, joints, and connective tissue. So it works wonderfully as an anti-aging component in face creams and serums, as the hyaluronic acid can hold over 1,000 times it's weight in water.

We produce less and less hyaluronic acid as we age. From around the age of 25, the skin's own production of hyaluronic acid slowly decreases. That means the skin loses moisture more quickly, and it loses volume. Fine lines form and finally the first wrinkles appear.

Injectable hyaluronic acid. Dermal fillers involve injecting a gel-like form of hyaluronic acid (or a similar molecule) into the skin to fill in wrinkles, provide structure to areas of the face that have lost volume, or to plump up the lips. Different products are designed specifically to provide optimal results for different areas of the face or body (fillers can be used on the ears, hands, etc.). The gel hardness, viscosity, consistency, HA concentration and other factors affect the aesthetic results of hyaluronic acid injections. Used in this form, the hyaluronic acid is actually providing a sort of “scaffolding” for the skin and other facial structures. The first hyaluronic dermal filler was approved by the FDA in 2003.

Topical hyaluronic acid. Unlike some other smaller molecules, hyaluronic acid is too large (3,000 nanometers) to be absorbed directly into the skin where there is only between 15 and 50 nanometers of intracellular space. And topical HA cannot produce the dramatic results resulting from dermal filler injections, but the right topical HA product can help skin look younger, brighter and more hydrated by employing full-size HA molecules as well as an array of sodium hyaluronates (a water-soluble salt form of hyaluronic acid) that come in smaller molecular weights that are able to penetrate the skin. The best products offer HA in a mix of molecular weights. The smallest molecules provide hydration, healing in the form of antioxidants, and even fill in fine lines and wrinkles. Medium-sized molecules penetrate to some degree and add a protective layer to hold in moisture. Meanwhile the largest, or full-size molecules, sit on the surface of the skin, providing a barrier while attracting moisture from the environment.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan present in the connective tissue of our body. Glycosaminoglycans are typically long unbranched carbohydrates, or sugars called polysaccharides. Our skin’s main component is HA which is responsible for a plump and hydrated look.

HA is of paramount importance as it is the key molecule that has a high capacity to absorb water, i.e. it is responsible for retaining skin moisture. Interestingly, 50% of the body’s total HA is in the skin.

HA content decreases in the skin that has been photo-aged by ultraviolet radiations. Decreased HA has been suggested to reduce the elasticity of the skin, and promote the formation of wrinkles.Therefore, to maintain skin function, it is essential to restore HA, which gets attenuated by the UV radiations. Furthermore, HA does not permeate through the skin because it is a water-soluble macromolecule.

Hyaluronic acid is a common ingredient in skincare products. It is mostly used in moisturizing creams, lotions, and serums because of its ability to moisturise and plump the skin. HA is also used in injectable dermal fillers to help smoothen wrinkles and add volume to the face and lips.

Lets understand the miracle of Hyaluronic acid

1. Skin hydration

Hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant, i.e. it provides moisturization and keeps skin plump and soft. It prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL). TEWL is the amount of water that evaporates through the skin to the external environment.

Moreover, HA tackles dry skin and retains moisture. Topical application of hyaluronic acid pulls moisture from the deeper layers of the skin to infuse the top layers of the skin with moisture.

2.Smooth and Radiant Skin

The ultimate property of HA enables smooth and radiant skin. Also, those fine lines common around your eyes and lips are often signs of dry or dehydrated skin. Highly moisturized skin looks less crinkly.

Apparently, if the skin is visibly scarred from acne, the hyaluronic acid will not fill in those scars. However, in such cases, HA combined with specific products can make the skin look smoother.

3. Works on All Skin Types

Hyaluronic acid boosts moisture levels in the skin without adding oil. It is quite light and a non-greasy ingredient. Consequently, it can be incorporated into non-greasy products that look appealing on oily-prone skins.

4. Skin Protectant

Hyaluronic acid has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

HA can promote regeneration of the skin and help it to heal. Moisturizer that contain hyaluronic acid are often recommended after a laser treatment.

5. Anti-Aging Property

skin-aging-effect-of-Hyaluronic-acid-derma

HA has a unique property in retaining water. Besides, it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by increasing skin hydration. It also has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, protecting the skin from free radicals and environmental aggressors.

6. Rejuvenates the Face

HA can be injected directly into the skin to fill up the prominent lines and wrinkles. It is also used to recontour the face by repairing the skin cells and adding youthfulness to cheeks.

Moreover, it stimulates the skin to produce more collagen on its own, thereby acting as an anti-aging agent.

7. Wound healing ability

Hyaluronic acid, the main component of the extracellular matrix, regulates inflammation and helps in wound healing. HA is already present in the body, but its concentrations increase at the time of damage.

Inflammation is the body's natural defence mechanism against injuries. It sends signals to the body to build more blood vessels at the site of damage. It also has antibacterial properties that can minimize the risk of open skin wound infection.

Topical application on wounds has been shown to attenuate the size of wounds and reduce pain.

8. Lipid barrier enhancement

The skin acts as a protective barrier against certain harmful toxins that bombard on a regular basis. The epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin comes in contact with such environmental toxins.

As we age, the lipid barrier slows down its function, thereby depleting our natural hyaluronic acid levels. This further results in damage from pollution and environmental toxins which eventually cause prominent fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and drier skin.

To sum it up, hyaluronic acid has excellent hygroscopic properties, therefore it acts as a remarkable moisturizer. It comes in forms of creams and hyaluronic acid serums. Moreover, it is evident that vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, when used together, act significantly by improving skin texture and smoothening the fine lines and wrinkles.

WHAT DOES HYALURONIC ACID REALLY DO?

1. DEFINES CONTOURS It is quite normal for facial contours to soften as we age. Hyaluronic acid skin benefits include helping you maintain firmness for longer, and making skin appear plumper. We often recommend using a cream or serum containing hyaluronic acid.

2. PLUMPS SKIN

With age, the skin on the face loses its fullness. This is especially true on the cheeks and jaw line. Concentrated formulas with hyaluronic acid act as a volume dispenser that gives fuller cheeks and a more youthful appearance.

SKINCARE PRODUCTS FEATURING HYALURONIC ACID

Due to its plentiful benefits and increasing popularity, there has never been an easier or better time to add hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine. Hyaluronic acid can be found as a key ingredient in many products, the most popular being day creams, night creams, face masks, serums, eye creams and cleansers.

As it is a natural substance that our body has the capability to produce, you can use hyaluronic acid more than once in your 24hr skincare routine. This will help to keep your skin hydrated, whilst also helping to combat signs of ageing.

To get the most out of your hyaluronic acid skincare routine, we recommend applying it in both the morning and evening to freshly cleansed skin. Interested in adding hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine?

• Make-up: foundation, powder, concealer or BB cream – these products also ensure a fresh and firm complexion with a little hyaluronic acid.
• Hair care: Shampoos, conditioners and sprays with hyaluronic acid give more volume and ensure smooth and silky hair.

Even the best hyaluronic acid serum will not be effective in keeping your skin healthy, radiant and wrinkle free if you're not using it in tandem with a good daily skincare routine, especially as you age.