Exploring Hyaluronic Acid
What effects does Hyaluronic Acid have on the skin?
Hyaluronic acid also knows as HA, is a naturally occurring substance in the human body. The primary function of hyaluronic acid is to moisturize the skin and keep it healthy, hydrated, and plump all the time. Hyaluronic acid is also a humectant, which is a category of skincare ingredients that are hygroscopic, meaning they draw moisture from their surroundings. Humectants are often found in water-based moisturizers, serums, and other leave-on skincare products because of their ability to help boost hydration for all skin types, which is especially beneficial for dry, dehydrated skins. It also works as a water retainer for the human body. Hyaluronic acid works impressively as 1 gram of hyaluronic acid can hold up to 7 litres of water. Yes, you heard me right 7 litres of water. Scientific studies have shown that Hyaluronic Acid helps improve skin hydration and production of collagen, fight free radicals, maintain skin elasticity, and even has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help with wound healing. Hyaluronic acid is also for sensitive and blemish-prone skin as it helps to calm skin while protecting it with its antioxidant properties. It can also be used safely during pregnancy.
But why would you want Hyaluronic Acid if our body already produces it?
The average human body contains about 15 grams of Hyaluronic Acid. However, one-third of that gets degraded and synthesized daily. We also produce less and less as we age. So, we want more, which is why many anti-ageing products contain Hyaluronic Acid. Plastic surgeons often inject Hyaluronic Acid into sunken areas of skin to plump it up, but you don’t need to get injections to reap its benefits. Just choose serum or moisturizer that contains Hyaluronic Acid (also commonly listed as Sodium Hyaluronate) for softer, smoother, more hydrated skin.
What are the benefits of Hyaluronic Acid?
- Then skin, when moisturized, feels extra soft and pillowy and also looks a lot more radiant.
- When the skin moisturizes itself, all the wrinkles and the lines get washed out, is a perfect ingredient for the ageing skin to retain its youthfulness.
- It also has antioxidant properties that help in shielding the skin from free radicals that aren’t under our control like pollution and other aggressors.
- It has anti-ageing benefits as it binds the moisture well with the skin cells, not letting them lose elasticity, which in tur leads to the skin being young.
- It can also speed up wound healing as it regulates inflammation levels and signals the body to build more blood vessels near the damaged skin.
- It also has antibacterial properties that help it reduce any risk of infections when applied directly to open wounds.
- It also relieves joint pains by keeping the bones well lubricated as with more lubrication; the bones are less likely to grind against each other. HA can also be injected directly into the joints for pain relief.
- It treats dry eye as it works like a charm in retaining moisture.
How to use Hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is incredibly gentle and phenomenally helpful for all skin types, even the most sensitive, redness-prone skin. Its positive influence on the skin’s surface is due in part to its natural calming benefit, which means it is also suitable for breakout-prone skin. Make sure you apply it on other parts of the skin to test your surfaces allergic nature with the serum/cream.- Make sure to buy a serum/cream with lower molecular weights as they penetrate deep into the skin quickly.
- Use a water-based serum if you have oily skin, as this will help you in avoiding any unnecessary oils to your skin.
- Take a few drops of the serum and rub it between your palms and start applying it on the face it an upward and circular motion to get it well into the skin.
- After this, use a moisturizer to cover the serum/cream up.
Experts advise using the cream in the morning (also making sure to apply a moisturizer) and even in the night before hitting the bed.
Side effects of Hyaluronic acid:
The only widely reported hyaluronic acid side effects experienced from its use in generic skincare products is dryness, which is often just a result of other ingredients used in over-the-counter skincare creams. As a dermal filler, hyaluronic acid has a slightly longer list of potential side effects. After getting injections, some people notice pain, bruising, itching, and swelling. It’s also possible to experience a rash on and around the injection site.