Ask The Pros: What Are the Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid?

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Despite sounding like something that’s made in a lab, hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that your body produces as well. With a chemical structure that’s made from a group of sugar molecules, hyaluronic acid is present in the body’s connective tissues. Its main function is to lubricate and cushion the joints and skin, but as you age, your body’s natural reserves of hyaluronic acid go down. Aside from age, environmental aspects like air pollution and smoking can also speed up the degeneration and loss of hyaluronic acid. That’s why it becomes important to supplement the body’s natural stores with supplements and topical treatments, such as serums.

How Does Topical Hyaluronic Acid Work

Topical skincare products containing hyaluronic acid rebuild the body’s depleted stores of hyaluronic acid. It does this by attracting water molecules and binding to them, which increases hydration in the skin. It also pulls moisture towards the surface of the skin, so your skin looks hydrated and glows naturally. While it seems like it only moisturizes the skin, the reason hyaluronic acid is so effective is its ability to hold a thousand times its water weight. Since it packs so much hydration in each drop, you’ll often find that a little is all you need to plump and smoothen the skin.

Smoothens The Skin

As we age, the tissues of our skin become texturized, which promotes the appearance of bumps and blemishes. This happens because the tissues lose their elasticity and become more rigid. Hyaluronic acid helps bind the tissues together so the skin feels smooth to the touch. Dry patches along the surface of your skin also give your skin a bumpy texture. Applying hyaluronic acid will even out the skin’s hydration levels. The biggest advantage you get from smoother skin is that makeup application becomes much easier.

Prevents Dryness

If you have dry skin that’s prone to flaking and cracking, hyaluronic acid can increase its level of moisture to give you supple skin. It works by cushioning the skin to enhance flexibility, so the tissues can easily stretch. Because it’s a humectant, it attracts moisture to the skin to give it a dewy and nourished look.

Reduces Signs of Aging

This brings us to the next benefit: anti-aging. Hyaluronic acid helps the skin cells hold water, so as you grow older and levels of hyaluronic acid decrease, your cells lose their ability to retain water. This, they dry up quickly and lose their elasticity. This causes sagging and makes signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, look more prominent. Studies also show that consistently using hyaluronic acid in your skincare routine can encourage the skin to produce more collagen – a crucial protein that gives the skin its structure.

Speeds up the Skin’s Healing Process

If your skin is prone to breakouts and acne that leaves scars, hyaluronic acid can be highly beneficial. While it’s naturally available in the body, levels increase whenever the skin suffers from damage and requires repair. In that case, hyaluronic acid promotes the healing process by reducing inflammation. It also signals the body to produce more blood vessels, which increases blood circulation to the damaged area. Moreover, research indicates that it has antibacterial properties, so lessens the risk of a skin infection.

What Hyaluronic Acid Products Should I Use?

Wondering about the types of hyaluronic acid products you can find on the market? Because of its hydrating properties, you’ll often find it in boosting, moisturizing, and nourishing products. These include serums, moisturizers, and masks respectively. Serums like The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% give your skin an instant boost of hydration by pulling water towards the skin for a dewy and quenched look. Meanwhile, moisturizers like the COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream give your skin a layer of hydration that seals moisture to prevent dryness. Lastly, masks such as the Thalgo Thirst Quenching Shot Mask nourish the skin to restore its structure at a cellular level. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2 B5 30Ml Cosrx Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream Thalgo Thirst Quenching Shot Mask But these are just a few examples, and you can always look for products with supporting ingredients that work along with hyaluronic acid to increase its efficacy. For personalized recommendations based on your specific skincare concerns, you can always talk to our beauty pros.