How Hyaluronic Acid Benefits Skin

If there’s one skincare ingredient you should be looking out for right now, it’s Hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid has numerous functions in the body and it’s recently exploded on the beauty blogger seen as the ‘must have’ ingredient for glowing skin. It’s little wonder, considering that this super hydrator can hold up to 1,000 times it’s own weight in water!

Whether you’re new to Hyaluronic ccid and want to find out a little more about it before taking the plunge, or if I’m already preaching to the converted, there are tons of ways this super hydrator benefits the skin. Read on to find out more….

Boosts Hydration

As we have already established, Hyaluronic acid is proven to old up to one thousand times its own weight in water molecules. Therefore, when added to the skin, it is the perfect way to boost hydration. It works especially well if you apply a serum containing Hyaluronic acid to the face, before your usual moisturiser.

Moisturisers work best when the skin is already hydrated – despite common myths, they don’t really add extra moisture to the skin, they really just ‘lock in’ what is already there. Therefore, a Hyaluronic acid serum to hold in water, followed by a moisturiser that can keep that in place, is a great place to start with this ingredient.

Reduces Signs of Aging

One of the main benefits of Hyaluronic acid is its role in reducing the signs of aging. The plumper your skin looks, the less wrinkles will be able to form. Wrinkles and lines start to appear after the age of 25 when the collagen production in our skin starts to decrease (collagen is the chemical that keeps our skin looking plump). Plumper looking skin equals younger looking skin (less wrinkles), and Hyaluronic acid works to boost collagen production through hydration.

As a result, there is some evidence to suggest that using hyaluronic acid products could help to reverse or fade cellulite on parts of your body. This is thanks to the collagen-boosting properties it brings to your skin, which will help to iron it out and make the skin look a lot smoother. So, hyaluronic acid isn’t just something you should think about using on your face!

There are many different types of anti-aging Hyaluronic acid products, but sometimes I believe that less is more. Therefore, one of my favourite Hyaluronic acid serums is the simple ingredient focused Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 by The Ordinary. At just £5.90, it’s easy to use, effective and uncomplicated.

Lightens Scarring

Most of us have suffered with scarring at some time in our lives, but for those who have acne prone skin (or used to), it can be more of a concern. This type of post-acne scarring is often referred to by Dermatologists as atopic scarring, and many are now choosing to use Hyaluronic acid-based treatments to light and reduce scarring.

Hyaluronic acid works to reduce scarring due to its ability to attract and bind water molecules in the dermal tissue, helping to even out skin tone and repair damaged complexions.

Works on Most Skin Types

Hyaluronic acid is suitable for most skin types, as pretty much all complexions can benefit from extra moisture to the skin. Despite its name, Hyaluronic acid doesn’t work the way that most acids do, and is actually the opposite of exfoliating agents such as lactic, glycolic and salicylic acids. It’s name is simply taken from the enzyme that synthesises HA, called hyaluronic acid synthase.

This makes using Hyaluronic acid easy for most people. Unlike ingredients such as alcohol and soap that need to be avoided by dry, sensitive and combination skin types, Hyaluronic acid is suitable for use by most people whether in it’s pure form or added as an ingredient to a serum or moisturiser.

It Can Be Ingested

If you are craving a hardcore Hyaluronic acid fix, it can actually be ingested through the use of supplements and vitamins. These can be purchased both online or in stores at health food shops such as Holland and Barrett.

Hyaluronic acid supplements can be safely taken by most people and can aid to reduce join point and complications of osteoarthritis.

There are also Hyaluronic acid eye drops available that have proven to work for those suffering from dry and itchy eyes – a common complaint of frequent flyers or, like me, if you work in a heavily air-conditioned office.

Over all, there are so many benefits to Hyaluronic acid that it would really be a shame not to see how this super hydrator ingredient could work for you!