When it comes to our bodies’ aging process, hyaluronic acid plays a crucial role in helping our skin maintain its youthful appearance. We see it in numerous skincare products for its prized capability to revive and renew skin, yet we’re often left wondering what it is and how exactly it works. Is it really the anti-aging ingredient it’s hyped up to be?
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is actually produced naturally in our bodies. Also referred to as hyaluronan or hyaluronate, it is a fluid found most abundantly in our skin, (accounting for more than 50% of the bodies’ total hyaluronic acid production), but is also present in all tissues and body fluids. It helps maintain crucial aspects of our bodies, like our eyes and joints.
How Does Hyaluronic Acid Benefit Your Skin?
Overtime, our natural HA production naturally diminishes due to aging or other external factors like pollution and the sun’s UV radiation. This leaves our skin vulnerable to dehydration and affects our skins’ capability to act as an effective barrier from the outside world. Fortunately, using topical hyaluronic acid is a great way to help improve volume loss and laxity of the skin, notes Harvard Medical School.
So, how does it work? HA helps increase hydration in the skin as it binds water to collagen proteins. It comes in different sizes and molecular weights to help penetrate different levels of skin.
High molecular weight hyaluronic acid bonds more water molecules but is less penetrable to the skin, resulting in short term, yet effective hydration on the skin’s outermost layer, ideal for reducing inflammation and soothing skin.
Hyaluronic acid with lower molecular weight is more penetrable and ensures that water is stored in deeper layers of skin. Though it binds less water than HA with a higher molecular weight, the hydration is long-term and provides substantial moisture to the skin’s connective tissue, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and replenishing skin.
How to Obtain Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is available in many forms. Though it can be applied topically, it is also readily available in the form of peptides or oral supplements. To experience the effects of hyaluronic acid on your skin, try our gentle Hydrating Cream, an ideal moisturizer for any skin type.