If you've been trying to fight the signs of aging, you've probably heard the term "hyaluronic acid".
It's found in many beauty products, but do you really know what it is and how it can help your skin combat the years of stress and toxins it's had to endure?
Before you make your next purchase of skin cream or serum, you should probably investigate what's in those products so you can do the best for your skin.
If you're considering a product that contains hyaluronic acid, here are some things you should know.
How Does Aging Impact the Skin?
Skin aging happens by way of two distinct functions; both internal and external factors contribute to the way we look as we get older.
When we're young, our skin is resilient and pliable because our bodies produce ample amounts of collagen and the skin cells are able to retain water, which helps keep them plump and full.
As we age, the natural collagen production slows and our skin cells are no longer able to hold in the moisture that keeps them looking fresh and vibrant.
Add to that the daily injury that comes from being in contact with the sun and environmental toxins, and the signs of aging can quickly start rearing their heads.
No matter what age you are, it can be helpful to have a skincare regimen that takes your skin's needs into account.
This includes finding products that help pull in moisture and retain it throughout the day so you can enjoy the face you see looking back at you in the mirror.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid isn't actually an acid at all.
Rather, it acts as a humectant, pulling moisture from the environment to help keep skin moisturized.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a key molecule that's involved in the retention of moisture in the skin, and it has a unique capacity to retain water.
When purchased from beauty brands, HA comes in the form of a clear, gooey substance, but it's important to note that it's actually also produced naturally in the body.
The largest amounts of HA are found in your skin, connective tissues, and eyes—the places where water is essential in keeping your tissues and organs well hydrated.
Its main function is to provide moisture and lubrication to your body.
While it can be taken in a supplement form, HA is commonly found in over-the-county beauty products, as well as eye drops and injections.
Why would anyone seek out the assistance of HA?
We're glad you asked!
Here are a few key benefits of this magnificent molecule:
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It Promotes Healthier, More Supple Skin
Somewhere around half of your body's HA is found in your skin where it binds together to help combat dryness and keep moisture in.
However, years of exposure to the sun, pollution, and other irritants such as tobacco smoke can cause the body's natural supply of HA to deplete.
Adding HA to your skincare regimen can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and make skin look smoother.
It can also reduce redness and dermatitis, giving you a more youthful appearance with an all-around glow.
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It Can Speed Wound Healing
When your skin is in need of repair, higher concentrations of HA appear naturally in the body.
This helps wounds heal faster because it regulates the inflammation levels in the skin cells and tells the body to send more blood vessels to the area that’s been harmed.
Applying HA to skin wounds has been shown to minimize the size of wounds and can also help decrease the pain that’s felt by injuries.
It contains antibacterial properties, enabling it to help reduce the risk of infection when it’s applied directly to cuts, scrapes, and other wounds.
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It Can Alleviate Dry Skin
While it’s important to note that everyone’s skin is different, many people report that HA has a calming, moisturizing effect that can combat even the aridest of climates.
Apply a product that contains HA after you’ve cleansed your face and applied a toner, then follow up with a cream moisturizer for best results.
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It Helps to Relieve Dry Eye and Discomfort
While not related to skincare, it’s important to highlight the reasons why HA is so effective in many parts of the body.
When it comes to the eyes, many people experience the symptoms of dry eye because they have reduced tear production.
This situation can be uncomfortable at best and incredibly painful at worst.
HA is used in some eye drop treatments because it’s renowned for capturing and retaining moisture.
It’s also been used during eye surgeries to reduce inflammation and increase healing time for patients’ wounds.
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It Soothes Acid Reflux Symptoms
Acid reflux happens when food and stomach acids are regurgitated into the throat, which causes pain for the person experiencing the situation and can damage the lining of the esophagus.
HA has been shown to possibly soothe the damaged lining of the esophagus and minimize the time it takes for people to recover from the situation.
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It Can Relieve Joint Pain
Often times, joint pain occurs because there’s not enough lubrication between the bones.
As a result, they rub against each other, causing friction that can be incredibly uncomfortable.
In fact, it can even lead to bigger health concerns, such as osteoarthritis—a degenerative disease that’s caused by wear and tear of joints over time.
HA, when taken as a supplement or injection, can help lubricate joints and alleviate pain.
Some research shows that people can benefit from pairing HA supplements with injections to get the most benefit possible.
This combination can help relieve pain and increase the amount of time needed between shots.
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It May Preserve Bone Strength
Some studies have begun looking into the effects HA has on the rate of bone loss in animals that suffer from osteopenia (the beginning stage of bone loss that’s usually followed by osteoporosis).
It’s thought that hyaluronic acid might actually increase the activity of osteoblasts.
These are the cells that are responsible for building new bone tissue.
Although the effects of this study haven’t yet been tested on humans, it seems possible that HA could, in fact, present a very promising lead when it comes to strengthening people’s bones and eliminating the pains that can be caused from bone loss.
Here ate Skin Beautiful MD, we have combined the HA with a list of wonderful ingredients to create our Deep Moisturizer, to be used as often as you need.
This is the most complete and advanced skin hydration formula available.
Click here to discover the full list of ingredients and save 25% with HYDRATION25 code.