Hyaluronic acid is a well-known ingredient out there and is considered as an MVP in the skincare world. Our skin cells naturally produce hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture levels. However, our skin goes through a rough roller coaster ride of dust, pollutants, and all the environmental aggressors. As a result, those moisture levels tend to dip. While hyaluronic acid is an all-in-one ingredient that makes your skin smooth, supple, and glowy, it is essential to know how it is supposed to be used correctly. Things like concentration levels, layering, and your skin's requirements are just some points to getting started. Hyaluronic acid is famous for its unique properties of attracting and holding onto 1000x its weight in moisture. It helps give a healthy look and feel by replenishing the skin.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a glycosaminoglycan(a substance that naturally occurs in the skin). Hyaluronic acid is a common ingredient that can be seen in several skincare products. It occurs naturally in the human body parts like skin, eyes, connective tissues, and joints. It is believed to give a proper structure to the skin, help repair tissues, and lubricates the joints. It is a molecule that intensely moisturizes the skin by pulling water from the air and sucking it into your skin to help your skin stay hydrated throughout the day. It can be found in many skincare products such as moisturizers, face serums, makeup products like foundations, and concealers. Hyaluronic acid is also a popular ingredient used in fillers because of its ability to bind water in the body and make the skin look plumped up. The hyaluronic acid level naturally fizzles out from the skin as we age, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, and saggy skin. Your body will not be able to produce it as effectively as it used to. It is the reason that you can see how people of older ages have thinner and drier skin.
Hyaluronic acid is highly recommended after the age of 40.
Minimalist's Tip:
A combination of hyaluronic acid and a water-loving liquid is a magic potion to get hydrated skin.
Why is it important to apply moisturizer after hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid can replenish a lot of moisture in the skin. One gram of hyaluronic acid holds up to six liters of water. It also revitalizes the skin's outer surface layers that help improve fine lines and wrinkles. If you are most concerned about fine lines and wrinkles and want to make the most out of hyaluronic acid as an anti-aging ingredient, use it in serum on damp skin and follow up with a moisturizer. Using a moisturizer is an essential step after applying hyaluronic acid. The moisturizer will help seal hydration into the skin and help hyaluronic acid absorb correctly if the air around you is dry.
Benefits of using hyaluronic acid:
1. Hydration at its best:
Hydration is the primary role of hyaluronic acid. It's like a giant tub of water for your skin. It improves the hydration level by binding water into the cells and helps penetrate the skin. Used topically hyaluronic acid infuses top layers by pulling the moisture from deeper layers of the skin. Products containing hyaluronic acid also help reduce transepidermal water loss that holds the water into the skin and prevents it from evaporating into the air.
2. A great humectant:
A lot of skincare products are packed with humectants. It acts like a sponge that draws and holds on to the moisture into the skin even after it is collected by allowing hydrogen bonding and attracting water. Ingredients like sorbitol, glycerin, butylene glycol, and hyaluronic acid are examples of humectants. After filling the skin's top layer with the required moisture, hyaluronic acid then acts as a humectant. It always draws water from the surroundings for lasting hydration for the skin.
3. Improvement in lipid barrier:
Our skin protects our body, internal organs, bones, muscles, etc. from the outside world. It also protects our body from harmful toxins that we come across daily. Our skin's top layer takes the brunt of the damage to protect the skin's deeper layers. The lipid barrier in the skin layers slows down as we age. Everything from the outside (environmental factors, sun damage, lifestyle choices, etc.) causes damage that results in fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, dark spots, and other skin issues. Hyaluronic acid helps the skin's natural barrier to seal the moisture to give a more hydrating effect on the skin that helps improve the lipid barrier.
4. Increased Resilience:
When the lipid barrier is enhanced by hyaluronic acid, it would be better for the skin to defend itself against external damage, including pollutants and environmental factors.
5. No more saggy skin:
No one is a fan of saggy skin. The elastin and collagen in the skin break down as we age, the skin loses its stiffness and firmness. You can even check your elastin by on the top of your hand. If it bounces back quickly, then you may still have a lot of elastin. This process becomes less bouncy as you grow older. To be honest hyaluronic acid won't be replacing your elastin, but it will help with the appearance of tighter and firm skin as it fills the skin with moisture.
6. Improved skin texture:
Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient if you are looking for something to make your skin's texture smoother. If you think that this ingredient will magically fill up your acne scars, it won't be possible. But if you combine hyaluronic acid with a tool like a derma roller, it will surely make your skin look and feel smoother.
7. Lessen signs of fine lines and wrinkles:
You can experience hyaluronic acid benefits at any age, whether you are a twenty-year-old or an eighty-year-old. Hyaluronic acid is excellent for retaining moisture into the skin, which helps create a plumping effect that reduces fine lines and wrinkles' visibility—cell production in our skin increases when it is well protected and hydrated. Areas where our skin is thinner, like around the eyes, are the first to show the signs of fine lines and wrinkles. Applying an eye cream with hyaluronic acid can prevent new lines and help keep the skin hydrated.
8. Promotes skin cell regeneration:
That doesn't mean it will fasten the cell renewal process. Hyaluronic acid is still believed to promote skin cell regeneration by providing extra hydration to the skin to improve the complexion and healthier cells.
9. Pigmentation:
Hyaluronic acid helps reduce some skin issues like pigmentation and age spots. It won't be possible for hyaluronic acid to do that alone, but a combination of vitamin C would be preferable for excellent results.
10. Clarity:
There is a massive misconception that oily and acne-prone skin should stay from hydrating products. When moisture is stripped away from oily skin, it overcompensates to provide hydration by generating more oil. Hyaluronic acid helps prevent the excess production of oil and balances out the moisture in the skin.
How to use hyaluronic acid:
- Hyaluronic acid is applied best while the skin is still damp. Start by making sure or ensuring that your skin is cleansed. You should take off all the makeup, sunscreen, and dirt. Double edit is a fabulous way to ensure that you can use an oil-based cleanser first to help remove your natural oils, allergens, pollutants, etc.
- After that, you can opt for a more gentle cleanser to help you go through the process efficiently and minimize disruption to the skin barrier.
- When you are done cleansing your face, and your skin is still damp, that's the time you should be applying hyaluronic acid. You do not need to lather your face with that. Just a small amount would be a lot more beneficial.
- You can also use hyaluronic acid to focus more on some particular areas to treat different skin issues like just around your eye for fine lines and wrinkles.
- Immediately cover your skin with a moisturizer with emollient or occlusive ingredients to seal the water in place. If you don't do this, then the hyaluronic acid you have applied won't hold on to the water on its own without any topcoat, and the water will start evaporating, pulling more water out from your skin, which can leave your skin dry.
- Occlusive ingredients are those that seal in transepidermal water loss like shea butter or mineral oils. People with oily skin should avoid occlusive ingredients because they may clog pores and lead to acne.
Side effects:
Hyaluronic acid is a safe ingredient to use, and it is usually suitable for all skin types. It is sporadic to see any side effects with hyaluronic acid because hey! It naturally occurs in our bodies. Studies show that the lower molecular weight of hyaluronic acid penetrates deeper into the skin layer, resulting in inflammation, so if you come across any irritation or dryness, discontinue the usage of hyaluronic serum or consult your dermatologist
Final Note:
Hyaluronic is a great ingredient if used correctly. Remember to clean your skin before using it, make sure your skin is damp, and lock it in with a moisturizer.
