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.
