fbpx

What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do For Skin

January 10, 2024

If there’s one skin-care ingredient that puts you in the fast lane to hydrated skin, it’s hyaluronic acid. You’ll find it as an active ingredient in seemingly every skin-care product category under the sun — serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and more. There is an active ingredient in one skin-care ingredient since plump, hydrated skin makes fine lines and wrinkles less visible.

Ingredient Spotlight: Hyaluronic Acid - Rejuvaskin Blog – Rejûvaskin

Here’s a scientific guide that touches on the basics of hyaluronic acid.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan found throughout the body’s connective tissue. Glycosaminoglycans are simply long unbranched carbohydrates, or sugars, called polysaccharides.

Technically, it’s a group of sugar molecules called polysaccharides, according to research. These molecules work to cushion and lubricate, and they’re found naturally in the body’s connective tissues.

Over time, your body’s stores of hyaluronic acid decline. According to another study, Age is one reason, but environmental factors — such as smoking and air pollution — also accelerate this process. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that topical products that feature hyaluronic acid, whether as part of the ingredients list in a moisturizer or as the star of a serum, can help rebuild depleted skin.

Hyaluronic acid attracts and binds to water molecules and increases the skin’s water content. It can absorb more than 1,000 times its weight in water.

The 3 Types of Hyaluronic Acid: How They Differ

There are three types of hyaluronic acid:

Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is broken into elements small enough to penetrate the skin. It’s moisturizing but not the most moisturizing option, so it’s best for people with oily or combination skin since these skin types want to avoid over-moisturizing.

Sodium hyaluronate goes deeper into the skin and delivers even better results, though the effects aren’t long-lasting. Sodium hyaluronate is best for people with normal skin because it will allow moisture to seep in, but it doesn’t need a heavy-duty, long-lasting effect.

Sodium acetylated hyaluronate has the benefits of sodium hyaluronate but with longer-lasting results. It’s best for people who need moisture, such as those with dry skin, those who live in dry climates, or those looking for a product for the dry winter months.

There’s also ingestible hyaluronic acid, a capsule filled with the active ingredient. The idea is that by taking a supplement, levels of hyaluronic acid will be steady, and the effects will last, according to one study. And it appears to work: The researchers found that participants who took 120 milligrams (mg) of hyaluronic acid daily for 12 weeks improved their skin wrinkles andoverall skin condition. However, more research needs to be conducted on oral hyaluronic acid.

What does hyaluronic acid do for you?

  • Hydrates skin

Many people use hyaluronic acid to hydrate their skin. People can take hyaluronic acid as a supplement or apply it topically as a cream.

Hyaluronic acid can increase skin moisture and improve the quality of life for dry skin.

One study involved female participants applying topical hyaluronic acid as a lotion, serum, and cream. The study results demonstrated an increase in skin hydration of up to 96% after eight weeks of use across the different types.

  • Lipid barrier enhancement

Our skin’s primary function is to protect our body. Our skin protects our internal organs, muscles, bones, etc., from the outside world. But our skin also protects the body from harmful toxins that bombard us daily.

The top layer of the skin (the epidermis) takes the brunt of outside damage (toxins). The epidermis’s lipid barrier (fatty acids that trap in water and prevent irritants from entering the skin)slows down as we age. Everything from UV raysto environmental pollution to lifestyle choices (like smoking) causes damage. This damage results in more fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and drier skin.

Hyaluronic Acid fortifies the skin’s natural barriers to help lock moisture in for an even more dramatic hydrating effect. Over time, this can help slow down the deterioration of the lipid barrier and help protect and fortify it.

  • Increased resilience

When the lipid barrier is further enhanced and protected by hyaluronic acid, the skin can better defend itself against environmental age factors and pollutants. When it’s not fighting these toxins, the skin remains less wrinkled, brighter, and bouncier for longer.

An excellent tip to remember: preservatives used in many products can break down your barrier by killing off the good bacteria that also defend the surface of your skin against toxins. The result is a loss of moisture and potential irritation and infection. Look for products with limited ingredients and a limited amountMany of preservatives. No people with oily or apneic skin want to apply harsher chemicals to “strip” the skin of oil. It’s important to know that most acne-prone skin doesn’t have a strong lipid barrier, which encourages inflammation and irritation. BIOEFFECT Hydrating Cream adds hydration, helps protect the lipid barrier, and is recommended for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Does Hyaluronic Acid Have Any Side Effects to Note?

Hyaluronic acid is generally safe for all skin types and doesn’t typically lead to any adverse reactions when applied topically. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance in our skin, so one should not expect any problems. When patients complain of rashes or other issues related to hyaluronic acid–containing products, it is often a result of a problem with another ingredient, such as one of the preservatives.

Sodium Hyaluronate - the must have hydrating ingredient! – Beauty Boosters  Supplements

While the ingredient itself is safe, the procedure can be risky. The process should be performed through a specialized skin care center. Get a quick, comprehensive skin treatment at Vancouver Laser today. Contact us to learn more about our skin treatments.

What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do For Skin

Related