One of the most popular products in skin care industry is hyaluronic acid known for its ability to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and maintain a healthy level of skin moisture.
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What is Hyaluronic Acid?
While at first, the name might make beauty novices weary, hyaluronic acid is an essential part of a skincare regime. At first, people think of acid as a product that strips things away, but that is not the case with hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid is responsible for smooth, hydrated, and flawless skin.
While our skin cells naturally produce hyaluronic acid, we need to add more to keep moisture levels up as we age.
When produced by our body, molecular weight hyaluronic acid molecular ranges from 4000 to 8,000,000 daltons.
Once it sinks into the skin, it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, creating a high molecular weight.
The fact that it is naturally produced, meaning that if you have ever wondered who should use hyaluronic acid, the answer is the product is safe for everyone, regardless of their sky type.
Hyaluronic Acid vs. Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium hyaluronate is incredibly similar to hyaluronic acid. In fact, oftentimes, in hyaluronic acid serums, the main ingredient is actually sodium hyaluronate.
This product also improves dryness, replenishes the skin, and provides structure and volume.
It is recommended for people of all ages and skin types and is especially beneficial to dry skin.
You can use the product twice daily as long as the concentration is 2% or less.
Sodium hyaluronate is a water-soluble salt derived from hyaluronic acid so when looking at skincare products, remember they are interchangeable.
What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do?
The product helps your cells retain as much moisture as possible, leaving you with skin that appears hydrated, plump, and healthy.
When the skin is protected and hydrated, cell production can increase since it is no longer fighting for hydration.
Other benefits of using hyaluronic acid, include:
- Leaving your skin feeling soft, plump, and radiant.
- Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Works on every skin type.
- Includes antioxidant properties, acting as a shield against aggressors such as pollution.
- Helps eczema.
How to Use Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a sugar found naturally in our skin, known as glycosaminoglycan (GAG), that holds water and keeps the appearance of hydrated and plump skin.
Hyaluronic acid belongs to the extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules.
At first, it was believed only to impact the skin layers such as the epidermis, the dermis, and underlying subcutis and recently been also found to impact cellular function.
The product works by binding water to collagen, trapping it in the skin, which provides that dewy appearance sought after.
The hyaluronic acid in our bodies holds a thousand times its weight in water and prevents the water from evaporating and leaving our skin dry.
What is Hyaluronic Acid Good For?
There are many benefits to adding hyaluronic acid into your daily routine.
First and foremost, it is an amazing treatment for wrinkles. Since the product’s main function is to keep levels of moisture in the body up, it is the perfect product to promote fuller and supple skin that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Hyaluronic acid works wonders for those trying to reduce wrinkles’ appearance, such as smile lines and crows feet.
The product is also great for dry skin since it adds moisture. In addition to users who have chronic dry skin, hyaluronic acid is beneficial during harsh winters where the skin naturally dries out.
In addition to improved moisture, hyaluronic acid improves the skin texture.
How Hyaluronic Acid Helps with Fine Lines and Aging?
While aging is a biological process we all go through, the process is still not fully understood.
The first aging process is intrinsic or innate aging, which is an inevitable process that impacts the skin and all internal organs in the same pattern.
The second process is extrinsic aging, which results from external factors such as exposure to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, which is also known as photoaging.
Intrinsic aging begins in our mid-twenties with the decreased production of sex hormones and the diminution of estrogen and progesterone, which is associated with menopause.
Even though intrinsic and extrinsic aging are vastly different, there are similarities in the molecular mechanisms.
For example, reactive oxygen species (ROS), which arise from oxidative cell metabolism, play a role in aging processes.
ROS induces the transcription factor c-Jun by the mitogen-activate protein kinases (MAPK), which leads to the overexpression of matrix metalloproteinase (MPP), which leads to elevated levels of degraded collagen.
Another skin factor in the skin aging process is the loss of moisture, which is where hyaluronic acid comes in.
Is Hyaluronic Acid Good for Acne?
Hyaluronic acid will not fill or eliminate visible acne scars, but it can help reduce acne’s redness and visible appearance.
Additionally, hyaluronic acid can help protect the skin, which is imperative for individuals with acne-prone skin.
If you are aiming to prevent an acne flare-up, hyaluronic acid is a must.
Hyaluronic Acid Benefits Beyond the Skin
There are many other benefits of using hyaluronic acid that go beyond the skin. Those benefits consist of:
- It plays a key role in healing wounds by decreasing the pain faster than a placebo or no treatment at all.
- It can reduce the risk of infection due to its antibacterial properties.
- Restores skin post-procedures.
- Alleviates joint pain by keeping bones well lubricated and making it more difficult for them to grind against each other.
- Reduces acid reflux by helping soothe the damaged lining of the esophagus and speed up the recovery process.
- Soothes dry eyes by using eye drops that contain 0.2-0.4% hyaluronic acid.
- It prevents bladder pain by helping relieve the pain and urinary frequency of cystitis.
The benefits of hyaluronic acid, however, do depend on the type you are using.
Types of Hyaluronic Acid
There are various forms, but the most common is the topical serum used by many during the skincare regime. Other varieties include:
- Oral
- Topical
- Injectable Dermal Filler
Is Hyaluronic Acid Safe?
Hyaluronic acid is completely safe to use!
This product does not strip any skin upon application; in fact, it delivers hydration to the area of your skin that needs it the most.
The product can be used on all skin types meaning that those with dry skin can benefit from the additional moisture, while those with oilier skin can use the product without feeling greasy.
When using injections, there are additional side effects. Those side effects include pain, bruising, flushed skin, itching, and swelling.
Other side effects that are less common include bleeding, blistering, burning, discoloration of the skin, inflammation, redness, scarring, tenderness, tingling, and warmth at the injection site.
A Hyaluronic acid filler is a type of temporary dermal filler. Unlike Botox, which freezes muscles to stop creases and wrinkles, the injectable hyaluronic acid works to fill in or plump areas with lost volume and smoothness due to the aging process.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to speak to your healthcare provider first.
What Products Use Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a common ingredient found in various serums, sheet masks, and moisturizers, with the most common applications are moisturizers and anti-aging products.
The products only contain about 1-2% of hyaluronic acid. If the percentage goes beyond that, it could pull too much moisture, and the benefits would be diminished.
Popular products that contain HA include:
- Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair
- Staked Skincare HA Hydrating Serum
- Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum
- SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator
- Magicstripes Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Treatment Mask
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
How to Use Hyaluronic Acid?
The product should be used while the skin is still damp to soak into your skin. It is suggested that you apply once or twice daily after showering or washing your face.
Below are some mistakes to avoid making when using this product so ensure you are getting the most benefits:
- Using hyaluronic acid without a moisturizer.
- Not suing hyaluronic acid as the final step.
- Applying the product to dry skin.
When it comes to storing your product, it can be stored in the refrigerator, which has been stated to be beneficial by demonologists since cold skincare products constrict blood vessels for a firmer, tighter appearance.
The product, however, does not have to be cold and can be kept in a cool, dry place.
If you notice any discoloration or deterioration with the product, it is best to discard it as soon as possible.
Summary
Adding hyaluronic acid into your skincare regime to increase hydration and hide the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is a no-brainer!
Once you have fully integrated this product into your daily routine, you will notice a difference in how your skin looks and how it feels.