Hyaluronic Acid: The Powerhouse Skincare Ingredient

Hyaluronic Acid: The Powerhouse Skincare Ingredient

Hyaluronic Acid is a powerhouse skincare ingredient that plumps and tightens skin, deeply moisturizes, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. It is an ingredient that can be found in facial serums, moisturizers, lip balms, and other cosmetics. While Hyaluronic Acid may seem intimidating to pronounce, the ingredient is not as scary as it sounds- Hyaluronic Acid is naturally occurring. Hyaluronic Acid is also great for all skin types- whether oily, dry, sensitive, or combination.  

What is Hyaluronic Acid? 

Hyaluronic Acid is a protein that is present in all connective tissues and is found in high concentrations in the viscous fluid that surrounds your eyes. Hyaluronic Acid cushions and lubricates your joints, attracts moisture, and can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. Unfortunately, the presence of Hyaluronic Acid in our bodies tends to fall away as we age. This is why it is an ingredient found in serums and moisturizers, lip plumpers and even makeup. There are many forms of Hyaluronic Acid, so multiple varieties can be found in a single product.  

The Perks of Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare 

1) Plumps the Lips and Skin 

The moment you apply a product containing Hyaluronic Acid, your skin will appear plumper and more hydrated than ever before. This is because the ingredient binds with water in order to make it easier for cells on our bodies to do their job- which means that they are able rejuvenate old looking or thinning out facial features.  

2) Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles 

The power of Hyaluronic Acid is also found in eye care products. Hyaluronic acid draws in water to temporarily fill out fine lines upon application. While some may hesitate to put skincare products around their eyes because of how sensitive the area can be, hyaluronic acid is safe to use and will lessen the appearance of fine lines around the eyes.  

3) Improves Makeup Application 

Hyaluronic acid is like a built-in beauty blender, making foundation go onto your skin in perfect lines. The ingredient Hyaluronic Acid has the ability not only to hold moisture but also smooth out any rough patches of our complexion making concealer and other products applied over it glide across smoothly without creasing or settling into wrinkles unlike many others do.  

4) Hydrates your Skin 

Many moisturizers only draw on the available moisture in your complexion, but Hyaluronic Acid actually provides its own moisture when applied to your skin. This delivers a powerful boost of hydration that leaves skin dewy, healthy, and youthful. Applying a serum that contains Hyaluronic Acid before your moisturizer will attract even more moisture than just applying it on its own. Aging skin loses its firmness, becomes less supple and often looks dehydrated. Using a product that contains Hyaluronic Acid can replenish the moisture that aging skin is lacking, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and make the skin appear smoother.  

Other Factors of Hyaluronic Acid 

There is a persistent myth that adding moisture to an acne prone complexion will cause more breakouts. However, drying out your skin with overprocessing or exfoliates can irritate skin and allow bacteria to grow. Hydrating inflamed or irritated skin can help speed up the healing process and improve your complexion. Hyaluronic Acid has already proven to be a powerhouse moisturizer and can help to hydrate inflamed skin.  

While the “acid” in Hyaluronic Acid may sound dangerous or scary, it is actually incredibly gentle and can be used on even the most sensitive skin types.  

Although Hyaluronic Acid is already present in our skin and body, it is still important to include a Hyaluronic Acid serum in your skin care routine since our naturally occurring levels tend to decline with age. For the best use, it is recommended to apply a moisturizer containing Hyaluronic Acid at least twice a day- once in the morning and once at night. However, more oily skin types can reduce their use to once per day with a serum or moisturizer.  

We all want to stay youthful and healthy, but sometimes it is hard to know what products will work for us. Fortunately, we know products containing Hyaluronic Acid and its varieties will improve the health of skin. Regardless of age, skin type or concern, everyone can and should be using a product containing Hyaluronic Acid.  

Acne and Mental Wellness: Understanding the Connection

Acne and Mental Wellness: Understanding the Connection

Acne is a common skin condition that affects adolescent and teen populations, but what many people do not know is the connection between acne and mental health. The relationship between acne and mental health is strongest among young people. According to research, adolescents with moderate-to-severe acne were more likely to experience symptoms of depression than those without it. This connection may be due in part because teens who suffer from acne often feel self-conscious about their appearance which can lead to anxiety or depression. 

Improving your mental wellbeing starts with understanding the connection between mental health and acne breakouts.  

How Mental Health and Acne are Connected

The connection between acne and mental health is most prominent among young people. Teenagers make up the majority of those who suffer from this condition, as hormonal changes during their formative years contribute greatly to breakouts. In fact, over 80% of those with acne conditions are teenagers, and research has found that teen girls are the ones who are most affected by poor mental health linked to acne. Depression, low self-esteem, and low levels of confidence can all stem from acne breakouts. 

Our confidence levels can be tied to our appearance and how others perceive us, so it is not surprising to see many acne patients suffer from chronic low self-esteem. Those with chronic acne can also become withdrawn and isolated as they avoid situations where others can see their complexion. Individuals who isolate themselves are more at risk for developing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.  

Those with chronic acne tend to believe their complexion is their fault, but the truth is acne is frequently beyond a person’s control (like from hormones or genetics). In these situations, acne breakouts have nothing to do with how often someone washes their face or lets it breathe without makeup. Acne does not always need to be chronic or severe to affect an individual’s mental wellbeing. Mild breakouts, or even the occasional zit, can cause someone’s perception of themselves to feel worse.

Not a One-Way Street 

It is not a surprise that your mental wellbeing can also affect your complexion. Higher levels of stress lead to hormonal imbalances that can cause breakouts. Higher stress levels can also lead to a decline in physical wellbeing (like eating more processed junk food) which leads to an increase in facial oil production, which in turn causes more acne.  

The more stressed you become, the more likely you will experience breakouts. In order to decrease the likelihood of breakouts, you must address your daily stress levels and make time to care for your mental wellbeing. 

How to Improve Skin and Mental Wellness 

The first thing to address is any lifestyle changes that could improve your stress levels and therefore decrease your breakouts. There are many lifestyle change options to choose from- regular exercise, a healthy diet of leafy greens and unprocessed foods, and participating in self-care activities can all improve your mental health. Chronic stress can cause mild to severe breakouts but taking the time to address your stress levels and care for yourself will help lessen those acne breakouts.  

If your acne breakouts are mild or infrequent, you may be able to see improvement from using over the counter (OTC) medicines. Some ingredients to look for are salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid will help to unclog pores, while benzoyl peroxide is used as an anti-inflammatory for existing breakouts.  

If OTC medicines do not help with acne, then there are always prescription options for helping to reduce acne breakouts, whether they are severe or chronic. There are a variety of options when it comes to prescription medications that help acne. Retinoids are used to unclog pores and antibiotics are used to kill bacteria that lead to breakouts. There is also hormone balancing prescription treatments like spironolactone and birth control (which can be used to help more than just menstruation).  

A Final Reminder 

Acne may cause embarrassment or frustration, but breakouts are just part of being human. Your complexion should not control how you live your day-to-day life, or how you view yourself. Acne breakouts do not make someone “dirty” or mean they have poor hygiene. Acne, whether mild or severe, does not always come from a lack of self-care, but frequently starts from something outside of the individual’s control.  

No one deserves to feel bad about their skin. You should be able enjoy life and love yourself without feeling ashamed or embarrassed, no matter what your complexion may look like! 

If you are looking to improve your complexion and your mental health, then there are options. Lifestyle changes build your self-esteem and can help stop breakouts from forming. OTC medicines can help mild acne cases, and prescription medications can help adjust hormone levels or kill bacteria that cause acne.

A Beginner’s Guide to Skincare: What Every Skin Type Needs

A Beginner’s Guide to Skincare: What Every Skin Type Needs

We all want a healthy, beautiful complexion that will make us look and feel great. But what do you need to know in order to get the most out of your skincare routine? What is the best way for you to take care of your skin type? We are here to guide you through everything from cleansers and moisturizers to toners and facials, so that no matter what your skin type or preferences are, you can find something perfect for you!  

The search for the perfect skincare routine can be overwhelming. You have probably read about all kinds of different beauty trends, but maybe you are still not sure how to find products that work well with your skin type or needs. Maybe you have acne problems or struggle with dryness or sensitivity. The right skincare routine is essential for every skin type. The best way to find your perfect match? Understand what lies beneath!

What should be part of your Daily Routine? 

Skincare can be broken up into four main steps: cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and protecting.  

Cleansing is the first crucial step in a solid skincare routine. Oils, dirt, dead skin cells, and even air pollution particles collect in and around your pores, so the first step in any skincare routine should be removing them and starting on a clean slate. It is also important to remember to wash your face both in the morning and at night because these particles can accumulate overnight as well as during the day.  

Toning can be a way to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Toner helps balance the composition of our naturally occurring oils while replenishing what gets washed away with dirt or makeup every day. Toners should be added to your nightly skin regime unless the product says otherwise. Toners can be added with serums, eye cream, or peels.  

Moisturizer is important for everyone, no matter what your skin type is. Moisturizers work to maintain hydration in your skin, but also keep your pores safe from clogging with excess oils.  

You might not think that sunscreen is necessary when it’s sunny and warm outside, but you should always be sure to protect your skin from the sun. Non-irritating SPF 30 or higher will provide adequate coverage for outdoor activities in susceptible areas. Too much exposure can result in dry skin, premature wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation, and even cancer. 

So what ingredients should you look for? 

One of the most important steps in maintaining your youthfulness is to protect and nourish skin with anti-aging ingredients like retinol. It can help slow down the appearance of aging, improve already developed wrinkles and fine lines, while also removing dead cells that cause acne outbreaks or blackheads. Retinol is a key component in anti-aging. 

Hyaluronic Acid is naturally derived hydration. There are many different forms of hyaluronic acid, so it is possible to have multiple types in one product. Because hyaluronic acid has the ability to deeply penetrate the skin, it can deliver long-lasting moisturization for healthier, glowing skin.  

Vitamin C is the ultimate immune system booster! It is often sourced from citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, or lemons. In skincare, it helps protect your cells against free radical damage which makes you healthier with a brightened complexion-and even protects against sunburns! 

We all want to know and understand what our skin needs. The right routine can make a huge difference in your complexion, so it’s important to remember that there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to skincare. It is time to start listening to your skin and give your complexion the extra attention it deserves.