You've probably heard about hyaluronic acid (HA) if you're into skincare. A quick tour around beauty or skincare aisles will show how prominent this ingredient is in today's market.
Hyaluronic acid can do wonders for your skin barrier, allowing it to heal and regenerate more quickly. This ingredient is known to promote skin hydration and fight signs of aging. Additionally, it can help wounds heal more quickly and supplement the growth of new skin cells.
Other than that, what can HA exactly do for your skin? Read this article to learn more about the ingredient.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Roughly half of the hyaluronic acid in the body is found in the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar molecule that helps keep the skin moisturized and supple by binding to other water molecules. The acid is also present in joints, eyes, and tissues, where it helps to maintain them in good condition by keeping them hydrated and lubricated.
The outer layer of your skin gradually loses hyaluronic acid as you age, making it more difficult to retain moisture. Fine lines, blemishes, and wrinkles might appear when your skin becomes drier and less elastic, which is where the HA ingredient might come in handy.
Benefits of Having Hyaluronic Acid Ingredients in Your Skincare
HA might be one of the holy grail products you need to get clear skin. So, without further ado, here are six of the best benefits of incorporating HA into your skincare.
1. Hydration
As mentioned above, hyaluronic acid is a hydrating substance that attracts and holds moisture in the skin. It's also responsible for giving you that coveted "dewy" appearance. Consider HA to be a sponge that traps moisture for your skin. HA enters the skin and attaches water to your skin cells. This renews hydration to all the pores of your skin.
2. Helps treat inflammation
Hyaluronic acid effectively reduces inflammation which is critical in treating eczema and psoriasis. Moreover, HA improves the delivery of psoriasis medications to your body, giving your treatments a boost.
3. Tightens the skin
The collagen in your skin disintegrates as you get older, and your skin can lose its bounce. Pinch the skin atop your hand to quickly gauge how elastic your skin feels. You may have low elastin levels if it slowly bends back. Fortunately, an easy fix for this is HA.
Although hyaluronic acid will not replace your elastin, it may assist in reducing the look of tightness in your skin. Hyaluronic acid reinforces the epidermal layer by filling it with moisture.
4. Resilience
Your skin is better equipped to fight against external threats and contaminants when the lipid barrier is strong. The lipid barrier can further be preserved by hyaluronic acid. The skin stays less wrinkled, brighter, and bouncy for longer when it isn't battling these pollutants and other impurities.
Most people with acne-prone or sensitive skin have an ineffective lipid barrier. This promotes inflammation, blemishes, and irritation. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid offers moisture, aids in lipid barrier protection, and is ideal for people with acne-prone skin.
5. Reduced acne and acne scarring
Hyaluronic acid can help heal wounds quickly. HA is naturally found in the body. Its levels rise when there's damage that must be repaired. This natural substance aids wound healing by reducing inflammation and alerting the body to stimulate blood vessel growth in the injured region.
It has been proven that applying a product with hyaluronic acid to topically to wounds reduces its size and discomfort quicker than nothing at all. When administered directly to open wounds, HA can also help lower the risk of infection since it has antibacterial characteristics.
6. Anti-aging
The anti-aging benefits of hyaluronic acid products may differ from person to person, depending on their genetics, diet, history of smoking, and alcohol use. Environmental factors such as pollution and sun exposure also impact the skin's receptiveness to HA. While its effects may vary, one thing is certain: HA can enhance your skin's suppleness and minimize its blemishes.
Hydrated Skin from Within
The benefits of having great skin are endless. Hyaluronic acid might be a great ingredient to incorporate into your routine for a dewy, hydrated complexion. But as you become older, your skin's hyaluronic acid levels can drop, resulting in dry skin and wrinkles. Using products packed with HA may help keep the skin hydrated and alleviate indications of aging.
This power ingredient can also help reinforce your skin's natural barrier and increase its resistance to free radicals. However, keep in mind that using HA can have possible side effects such as itching and redness. So, make sure to do a patch test first.
Written by Lisa Garcia
About the Author
Lisa is a content marketing specialist for L’Oreal Paris - an everyday, luxury beauty brand that empowers women to effortlessly be their most beautiful and confident selves through its hair, skin, and makeup products. As an advocate for women’s rights and empowerment, she is passionate about beauty and fashion as a form of art and self-expression. Outside the beauty world, you can find Lisa jamming to her favorite tunes, going on an online shopping spree, or spending time with her friends.
You may also like
How to Approach Your Skin Care Holistically
How Wearing Makeup Can Boost Self-Esteem and Improve Mental Health
What You Should Know About Hair Loss
How to Incorporate More Zen and Mindfulness in Your Life