Hyaluronic acid is a common ingredient in skin care products. It is mainly used in moisturizers, lotions and serums for its ability to hydrate and plump the skin. Hyaluronic acid is also used in injectable dermal fillers to help eliminate wrinkles and add volume to the face and lips. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan that occurs naturally in the skin, connective tissue, eyes and joints.
Hyaluronic acid, what is it? Hyaluronic acid is an incredibly popular and common ingredient in skin care and cosmetic products. Because it has "acid" in its name, it's often mistaken for an exfoliating ingredient, similar to salicylic or glycolic acid. However, hyaluronic acid has little in common with alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxy acids such as these.
Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the skin, connective tissues, eyes and joints. It helps to give skin firmness, helps to regenerate tissues and helps to "lubricate" the joints. The highest amount of hyaluronic acid in the body is found in the skin. It is a major component of the extracellular matrix, the gel-like substance that surrounds your skin cells. The better-known proteins collagen and elastin are also part of this substance, as are other glycosaminoglycans (a family of polysaccharides or carbohydrates of which hyaluronic acid is a part).
Hyaluronic acid isn't just a substance that surrounds your skin cells. It is very important for keeping the skin hydrated. Hyaluronic acid attracts water from the dermis (the deeper layer of the skin) and transfers it to the surface of the skin, the epidermis. Hyaluronic acid and other glycosaminoglycans also affect skin elasticity and tone, cell metabolism, regeneration and healing. As we age, the amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin naturally decreases. Your skin doesn't produce it as efficiently as it used to. This is partly why skin becomes thinner and drier as we age. The amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin begins to decrease sharply after the age of 40.
Benefits
Hyaluronic acid, while often touted as an anti-aging ingredient, actually has a different primary function – it's a great skin moisturizer. As a macromolecule, hyaluronic acid is too large to be effectively absorbed into the skin, so it is unable to increase the skin's natural reserves of hyaluronic acid and does not provide a pronounced wrinkle-reducing effect. Nevertheless, hyaluronic acid has several other benefits that have a positive effect on the skin:
- Moisturizing effect: Hyaluronic acid is a highly effective hydrating agent that attracts and retains moisture in the skin.
- Drawing moisture from the deeper layers of the skin: Products containing hyaluronic acid help to draw moisture from the deeper layers of the skin, ensuring hydration of the upper layers.
- Drawing moisture from the air in humid areas: Hyaluronic acid acts as a magnet for water, so if you live in a humid area, it can help draw water directly to your skin.
- Reduction of transepidermal water loss: Hyaluronic acid helps to reduce water loss through the skin, retaining moisture and preventing its evaporation into the air.
- Water retention power: It can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, providing intense and long-lasting hydration.
These are the main benefits of hyaluronic acid that justify its popularity in skin care products such as face creams, serums and body creams.
Smooth and glowing skin
While HA won't erase fine lines and wrinkles, the added moisture helps plump the skin, making those lines appear smoother. Also, the fine lines around the eyes and lips are often signs of dry or dehydrated skin. Well-hydrated skin looks less wrinkled and plumper.
Suitable for all skin types
Hyaluronic acid increases the moisture level in the skin without adding oil. By itself, hyaluronic acid is not a greasy-feeling ingredient. It is quite light, so it can be added to non-greasy products that feel great on oily skin.
Skin protectant. Some research suggests that hyaluronic acid may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, even when applied only to the skin. Hyaluronic acid can promote skin regeneration and help it heal. For this reason, moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid are often recommended after chemical peels or laser treatments.
Rejuvenates the face
Hyaluronic acid applied topically to the face may not reverse the superficial signs of aging, but injectable forms of hyaluronic acid can. Hyaluronic acid can be injected directly into the skin to fill deep lines and wrinkles. It is also used to re-contour the face, add youthful fullness to the cheeks or fill in the lips. Another benefit of hyaluronic acid injections is that they stimulate the skin to produce more collagen, which means they can have long-lasting anti-aging effects.
Choosing the right product
Hyaluronic acid is incredibly popular and is found in many skin care products, from face washes and face masks to makeup. If you want a moisturizing effect from hyaluronic acid, it is best to choose a moisturizing cream, lotion or serum. These moisturizers are a great way to deliver hyaluronic acid to your skin, hydrate it, help it feel better and (at least temporarily) help it look plumper and younger.
Look for hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate on the ingredients label of your skin care product. Sodium hyaluronate, another ingredient you may see in skin care products, is a salt derived from hyaluronic acid. The biggest difference between the two is that sodium hyaluronate is absorbed into the skin much more easily than hyaluronic acid. Ideally, you'll want 1% or more hyaluronic acid in your skin care product. If the percentage is lower, it probably won't do much for your skin. If the product doesn't list the percentage of hyaluronic acid, at least make sure it's high enough on the ingredients list and not one of the last.
Most hyaluronic acid moisturizing products are used twice a day, morning and evening. Be sure to review the instructions for the specific product and follow them carefully. Apply hyaluronic serums after cleansing your skin (and toning, if you use a toner). Moisturizers are applied on top. During the day, your SPF product will be the last step of your skin care routine.
Many people notice a difference in the way their skin feels immediately after using a hyaluronic acid product. However, as with any skin care product, it takes a few weeks of use before you see the full benefits.
Dermal fillers
If you're looking for even bigger results, injectable dermal fillers are the way to go. Dermal fillers – sometimes called liquid facelifts – provide instant results. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular dermal fillers because it is well tolerated. It is a natural component of the skin, so the risk of a negative reaction is very low. The downside, as with all dermal fillers, is that the results are not permanent.
The skin will eventually absorb all the hyaluronic acid. The treatment will need to be repeated to keep the skin or lips plump and to stop wrinkles from reappearing. Generally, the effects of HA fillers last from 6 to 18 months. Hyaluronic acid fillers can be administered by a dermatologist or at a plastic surgeon's office.
Possible side effects
Hyaluronic acid is a very safe ingredient to use on the skin or as a dermal filler. It is a very gentle substance for the skin. The ingredient itself is unlikely to cause any problems. However, it is important to monitor your body's reaction, as with any new skin care product.
If you experience any irritation, or if the product burns or stings when you apply it, wash it off and stop using the product. Call your doctor if the irritation does not go away after a few days.
Some people also notice that products containing hyaluronic acid used on the skin have the exact opposite effect: their skin becomes drier. If this happens, make sure you use a separate moisturizer (if you only use a hyaluronic acid serum) to restore moisture with emollient ingredients. You can also try another product or brand. Sometimes it is not the hyaluronic acid that doesn't suit the skin, but another ingredient of a specific product.
Dermal fillers with hyaluronic acid are also very safe, but in rare cases they can cause:
- Redness
- Bruising
- Pain
- Infection
- Skin necrosis (if injected into an artery or if an artery is compressed)
- Blindness (if injected into an artery and it is compressed)
It is important to find a board-certified dermatologist who knows anatomy well to avoid serious complications. The doctor performing the procedure will inform you of any possible side effects and how best to avoid them.
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https://www.verywellhealth.com/hyaluronic-acid-for-skincare-4582343 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.4161/derm.21923 https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/20/8/1963
Our recommendation. For daily facial care, choose Eubos Hyaluron Day Repair Plus SPF 20 face cream – hyaluronic acid moisturises the skin and SPF filters protect against UV rays.
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