You’ve probably heard about hyaluronic acid, an ingredient that has been buzzing around skincare enthusiast communities, in recent years. As experts tout the near “miraculous” results of hyaluronic acid, also referred to as HA, it’s hard not to get sucked into the hype.
Present in face creams, exfoliators, serums and other daily skincare products on the market, it is hailed as a hero ingredient. But do you really know what the benefits of using it are? Should you add it to your skincare routine?
It’s propensity to hold moisture provides relief to those with dry skin and plumps up skin to help counter premature aging. It’s hardly a surprise that an ingredient capable of tackling many concerns at once has taken a hold on the skincare community.
We’re breaking down everything you need to know about it and how to incorporate it into your daily routine.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that naturally occurs in the joints and connective tissue of the human body. It’s squishy consistency helps keep skin flexible and it acts as a humectant, retaining moisture and providing ample lubrication. Its ability to provide intense hydration is what makes hyaluronic acid such a valuable component in skincare as it remedies a multitude of problem areas caused by dehydrated skin.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
There are many hyaluronic acid benefits, with hydrating the skin at the top of the list. This superstar molecule can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, drawing moisture from the air to help keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. As it rehydrates the skin it also slows down the evaporation of water from the body preventing transepidermal water loss.
The key to healthy, vibrant skin is hydration, which is why hyaluronic acid is often found in antiaging serums. It infuses the skin with water to smooth fine lines, soften wrinkles, firm sagging skin and brighten dull complexion. Its non-irritating formula allows it to be used across the board for many products and many skin types.
Because HA is readily absorbed into the skin, the benefits are magnified by not being lost through the application process so you are able to see rapid results.
Is Hyaluronic Acid Good for Acne?
When it comes to acne-prone skin, hyaluronic acid benefits the skin in different ways. As a topical solution HA protects the skin’s moisture barrier. A compromised moisture barrier allows bacteria and other toxins to penetrate the skin easier, leading to more inflammation and breakouts.
Hyaluronic acid repairs the skin’s first line of defense by rebuilding its lipids to hold water. For clearing and improving acne scarring, many turn to dermatologists to inject hyaluronic acid into the skin. This method is used to soothe irritation and inflammation by minimizing redness and reducing the appearance of scarring.
Whether you chose to use a topical HA product or opt for an injectable to help treat your acne, is totally up to you, but the plethora of options of how to add hyaluronic acid into your routine has undeniable appeal.
Best Hyaluronic Acid Products
You’ve joined the hyaluronic acid bandwagon (welcome to the hydrated team!). What's next? Serums and lotions are great ways to apply hyaluronic acid for the face, especially when they are coupled with other hydrating and collagen boosting ingredients.
Take SkinMedica’s HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator which uses a blend of peptides, antioxidants and a proprietary blend of 5 types of hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin for up to 8 hours. If you are looking for long-lasting hydration this hydrator does the trick and also supports your body to produce its own HA, working to protect from the inside and out.
If you’re prone to extremely dry skin, Neocutis offers an intensive hyaluronic serum. The Neocutis Hyalis+ Intensive Hydrating Serum uses a high concentration of hyaluronic acid to treat severe dry skin caused by environmental elements and also acts as a soothing solution if you have eczema or rosacea.
What we love the most about iS Clinical’s Hydra-Cool Serum is the combination of plant botanicals and HA that helps soothe skin and refreshes and repairs it. Plus, it is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Our NEW Dermavenue Hydra-L Hydrating & Smooth Lotion hydrates skin and locks in moisture to prevent transepidermal water loss. Plant botanicals, peptides and hyaluronic acid help soothe, rejuvenate and nourish the skin to give it a healthy, youthful glow.
Supplements
As you age the amount of hyaluronic acid present in the body declines, which is why many people choose to add HA into their skincare routine and apply it topically. As we mentioned earlier, injecting hyaluronic acid into your body is a popular route people take. With HA there are many ways to obtain its benefits including ingesting it as a supplement.
The best hyaluronic acid supplements are the ones that have appropriate dosing, are suitable for your lifestyle and recommended by your doctor. Available in gummy and capsule form, speak to your healthcare professional to see which one is a right fit for you.
Side Effects of Hyaluronic Acid
As a molecule that is derived from the body, hyaluronic acid is a relatively safe substance to take. It is rare to have a negative reaction to HA, yet, with most things, too much of a good thing can be bad and too much hyaluronic acid can have side effects. The best way to determine if you might have adverse side effects is to patch test on your skin.
It is also important to pay attention to dosage amounts. With HA a little goes a long way. As tempting as it might be to bath yourself in it use it sparingly. Stick to formulations that have concentrations between 0.2 percent and 0.5 percent.
If ingested orally HA could interact negatively with medications, you might be taking. It is always recommended to follow up with your healthcare provider to confirm the safety of any vitamins you start taking.
Please contact Dermavenue at 800.805.3752 or chat live! We have agents available 9-5pm Pacific Time to answer any questions.
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