What is Hyaluronic Acid1?
The body's connective tissue contains hyaluronic acid , a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan. Glycosaminoglycans are referred to as polysaccharides, which are, in essence, long, unbranched sugars. Your skin looks plump and moisturized because of Hyaluronic Acid. In fact, hyaluronic acid is the primary ingredient that gives the skin its structure. With all the talk about anti-aging, hyaluronic acid needs to be an essential component of your skin care regimen.
What are the Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid?
What is hyaluronic acid so effective? There are so many benefits that are worth noting:
• Promotes skin hydration
First off, in water, hyaluronic acid may bind up to 1000 times its own weight. To put it in simpler terms, it acts as a humectant, retaining water molecules on the skin's surface to keep it moisturized. When we discuss well-moisturized skin, we are primarily referring to skin that is high in water content. The measurement of the amount of water that evaporates from the skin is known scientifically as transepidermal water loss or TEWL. By ensuring that water doesn't escape from your skin's surface, a product that inhibits TEWL keeps your skin moisturized. By slowing down the pace at which water evaporates, hyaluronic acid accomplishes just that.
• Enhances the Lipid Barrier2
External damage (toxins) mostly affects the epidermis, the topmost layer of the skin. The lipid barrier in the epidermis, which is made up of fatty acids that retain water and keep irritants out of the skin, slows down with age. Dark spots, drier skin, and more fine lines and wrinkles are the effects of this process. Hyaluronic acid strengthens the skin's natural defenses against moisture loss. This can help strengthen and preserve the lipid barrier over time by slowing down its degradation.
• Tightens the skin
The skin's elastin degrades with age, causing the skin to lose its snap or bounce-back. Pinching the skin on the top of your hand is a simple way to measure your elastin. You still have a lot of elastin if it returns rapidly. The skin won't regenerate as rapidly as it once did.
Although it won't replace your elastin, hyaluronic acid can lessen the look of skin tightness3. Hyaluronic acid tightens the complexion overall by hydrating the skin. It helps create more youthful-looking facial features.
• Smoothens the skin’s texture
Hyaluronic acid smoothens the skin's texture in a similar way to how it makes the skin appear tighter. You can see and feel the silky-smooth finish that arises from this. Hyaluronic acid won't cover up acne scars that are clearly visible on the skin. However, hyaluronic acid can gradually make skin appear smoother.
• Reduces visible fine lines and wrinkles4
Because it keeps the face hydrated, hyaluronic acid makes the skin look plumper and less prone to wrinkles and fine lines. Since the skin isn't fighting for moisture while it is covered and hydrated, it may create more skin cells. This makes skin cells plumper and smoother.
• Provides the skin with clarity
Oily skin overcompensates to hydrate itself by generating oil when it is deprived of hydration (water). It's a common misconception that skin that is oily or prone to acne doesn't require hydration; it actually does. Hyaluronic acid helps the skin maintain a healthy moisture balance, which inhibits the overproduction of oil5 that clogs pores and leads to breakouts.
Learn more about the benefits of Hyaluronic acid for skin here.
Methods for Including Hyaluronic Acid in Your Skincare Regimen
When used properly, hyaluronic acid is simple to include into your everyday skincare routine and has a high level of effectiveness. To get the most out of this potent substance, follow these steps:
• Select the Proper Product
There are several types of hyaluronic acid, including moisturizers, creams, and serums. Because it may permeate deeper into the skin, choose a serum with a high concentration of hyaluronic acid for the most advantages.
We highly recommend checking out our best seller Neutrogena Hydroboost range of products which helps lock in moisture for 24 hours and is enriched with Hyaluronic Acid
• Use on Wet Skin
The optimal use of hyaluronic acid is on moist skin. After washing your face, use a towel to gently massage your skin, leaving it just a little wet. This improves the moisturizing qualities of your skin by enabling the hyaluronic acid to attach to the water that is already there.
• Seal it in
After using hyaluronic acid, use a moisturizer to seal in the moisture. This forms a barrier that keeps your skin moisturized all day long by preventing water loss.
• Use other products
The majority of skincare components, including retinoids, vitamin C, and niacinamide, may be used with hyaluronic acid. Always start with your hyaluronic acid serum and layer items from thinnest to thickest.
• Use Twice Every Day
Hyaluronic acid should be used both at night and in the morning for best effects. By keeping your skin hydrated, it can help get it ready for the day in the morning. While you sleep at night, it helps with skin regeneration and healing6.
You can optimize hyaluronic acid's advantages and preserve healthy, radiant skin all year long by carefully including it into your regimen.
To sum up, hyaluronic acid is a potent component that has revolutionary effects on the skin. Its many uses, which range from improving the lipid barrier and encouraging deep hydration to smoothing texture and lessening the visibility of fine wrinkles, make it a necessary component of every skincare regimen. By using this powerful humectant in your routine, you may attain a more youthful, moisturized, and glowing complexion.
References
1 Papakonstantinou, E., Roth, M., & Karakiulakis, G. (2012). Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermato-endocrinology, 4(3), 253-258.
2 Ewurum, A., Alur, A. A., Glenn, M., Schnepf, A., & Borchman, D. (2021). Hyaluronic acid–lipid binding. BMC chemistry, 15(1), 36.
3 Malone, C. H., Walters, N., Stroh, R., & Munavalli, G. (2021). New technologies in skin tightening. Current Otorhinolaryngology Reports, 1-14.
4 Papakonstantinou, E., Roth, M., & Karakiulakis, G. (2012). Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermato-endocrinology, 4(3), 253-258.
5 De Tollenaere, M., Meunier, M., Lapierre, L., Chapuis, E., Guilleret, A., Harrison, I., ... & Reynaud, R. (2024). High molecular weight hyaluronic acid vectorised with clay provides long‐term hydration and reduces skin brightness. Skin Research and Technology, 30(4), e13672.
6 Manuskiatti, W., & Maibach, H. I. (1996). Hyaluronic acid and skin: wound healing and aging. International journal of dermatology, 35(8).