We’re all looking for tools to help us look our best and this includes skincare. The benefits of hyaluronic acid are undisputed. It’s a popular heavyweight in the cosmetics industry. In this post, you’ll learn the benefits of hyaluronic acid for the skin, and why it’s the ultimate hydrator.
Table of Contents
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural compound present in all connective tissue. Its main responsibility is to retain moisture. This is what makes it so ideal as a skincare ingredient. One of the lovely effects of aging is the inability to hold moisture in the skin, causing it to become “thirsty.” You can clearly see the visual effects of dehydrated skin.
Not only does the lack of hyaluronic acid cause a dull complexion, it makes the skin look older. Over time, natural secretions from glands in the skin begin to decline, accentuating dry, flaky skin. HA is a glycosaminoglycan, a component of connective tissue that is made of complex polysaccharides. It decreases with age. No surprise there – a lot of great things decline with age.
Unhealthy lifestyle factors also hasten the decline of HA. Genetics play a part, as well, as does smoking and nutrient deficiencies – all factors within our control. Is it time to add HA to your skin care routine? I add it to my vitamin C serum to augment the beneficial effects.
The Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid For The Skin
HA is an essential component of skin. Once you’ve reached age 40, you’ll start to notice its decline. One reason for this is that estrogen is an important molecular signal for the production of hyaluronic acid. Young women, with plenty of estrogen, have beautiful skin due to HA’s ability to stimulate collagen and retain moisture.
This is why plastic surgeons have capitalized on HA for use in cosmetic procedures, and why anti-aging skincare products include this incredible ingredient in their formulas. The benefits of hyaluronic acid include:
- Promotes collagen production
- Retains moisture
- Has a plumping effect
- Prevents sagging and wrinkling
- Speeds wound healing
- Reduces scarring
- Strengthens skin structure
- Increases the effects of topical vitamin C
- Adds volume and fullness
- Improves elasticity
- Reduces under-eye bags
Why, exactly, would you not use it?
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HA Is A Natural Humectant
Take a minute and visualize a baby’s flawless skin. It’s amazingly smooth, supple, and plump. Thank you hyaluronic acid. Babies are born with high amounts of hyaluronic acid, which gradually declines with age. Fortunately, we can enjoy the benefits of HA by using it topically, or as an injection. HA powder is a great choice if you want to make your own serum.
HA is present in generous amounts in the spaces between skin cells, providing the necessary moisture to keep it smooth and firm. It’s responsible for that dewy, soft, supple look we all want. Hyaluronic acid is safe, gentle, and works for all skin types.
It even rights free radical-damage caused by excess sun exposure, radiation, alcohol, smoking, and toxic environmental chemicals. Preservatives in the food supply also contribute to free-radical damage.
Beloved for its high capacity for holding water, HA not only retains moisture, but prevents its loss.
Think of HA kind of like a sponge. It can hold a lot of water. Another perk of HA is that it doesn’t clog pores and is anti-inflammatory.
HA’s claim to fame, and rightly so, is that one gram of this magical substance can hold up to six liters of water. Do you see why it’s so awesome for anti-aging? After applying HA to your face, be sure and lock it in with a heavy night cream or your favorite moisturizer. If your skin is really dry, apply HA to dampened skin, followed by a moisturizing cream.
Hyaluronic Acid And Hair Care
It gets even better because not only is HA good for the skin, it’s also great for your hair, especially if it’s dry and fragile. The hair fiber itself contains a high percentage of water. If moisture is lost, hair can break and split. When moisture is restored and the hair is hydrated, it becomes stronger and more flexible, preventing split ends and breakage.
HA is particularly effective for color-treated and damaged hair. Not only is it an awesome moisturizer, it gives the hair a sleek, polished look, while restoring shine and fullness. HA will also keep your scalp healthy and prevent dandruff.
Check out this hydrating shampoo with HA
HA is also fantastic for lips, particularly lips that have lost volume. When lips are hydrated, they look and feel plumper. Lip balm with HA is especially good to use in the winter months when the air is dry. Because HA is a humectant, it attracts and binds water, keeping the lips moist and hydrated. Moist lips don’t crack or peel like dry lips do. In fact, HA is FDA-approved for lip augmentation.
HA Medical Grade Lip Balm
Key Points
HA is a tried and true natural ingredient that’s been around a while. If you want to take advantage of its many benefits, choose a serum or moisturizer that has hyaluronic acid in it.
Or you can buy serums just containing HA. It really is a must, especially if you have dry or aging skin.
Do you use HA? Have you noticed a difference? Let me know in the comments:)
References:
(1) US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health: Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
(2) US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health: Hyaluronic Acid: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Trajectory
(3) National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information: Hyaluronic acid, a promising skin rejuvenating biomedicine: A review of recent updates and pre-clinical and clinical investigations on cosmetic and nutricosmetic effects
(4) US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health: Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humans
(5) National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information: Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment
(6) National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information: Hyaluronic Acid in Inflammation and Tissue Regeneration
I never heard or read anything about hyaluronic acid and its many benefits until now when I came across your blog. I enjoyed your informative article. I appreciate that you included how to use it. I like that it can be used topically as a serum, although it can also be used as an injection. If I may ask, which one is more effective?
Many people aren’t familiar with hyaluronic acid. Most women over 40 are though because it’s used as an anti-aging skincare ingredient. It’s affordable and easy to use.
HA is used as an injection to plump lips. I haven’t used it for that purpose so I can’t speak to how it works. I like serums and lotions I can use at home on a daily basis. Thanks so much for your comment!
I’ve only just recently started worrying about trying to minimize signs of aging. Your statement that “HA is responsible for that dewy, soft, supple look we all want” caught my attention. So true.
After reading this, I want to add a source of hyaluronic acid to my skin care routine. I know that I am not interested in injections. I’ll check out your links. Thanks!
Hi Sondra,
HA is a good ingredient to have in your skincare arsenal because it prevents moisture loss. Dehydrated skin looks dry, dull, and older than it is. Keeping your skin moist will make it plumper and more supple, which will make you look younger.
I like that you can use it as a standalone moisturizer or add it to your existing creams and lotions. I make my own face cream and use it as one of the ingredients. It’s awesome. Give it a try.
Thank you for reading!
This was also recommended to me as a skincare product that could reduce acne scarring. Don’t know if you know anything about this, but it certainly sounds reasonable given this description. Just looking for a little more information.
Hi Jillian,
HA plumps the skin so I’m thinking that was probably why it was recommended for acne scarring. In my opinion, that would only be a temporary fix. If it were me, I would get more aggressive and use Retin-A, glycolic acid peels and microneedling, all of which can be done at home. Microneedling, also called dermarolling, will work on acne scars that aren’t too deep, and will improve the overall texture and tone of your skin. I have an article on my site specifically on dermarollering. You can read it here. I would also check out:
Laser resurfacing
Derma fillers
Punch crafts
Punch exicisions
I use hyaluronic acid in my vitamin C serum and love it, but I haven’t necessarily heard of it in regard to acne scarring. It’s used to hold moisture in the skin. I would try one of the aforementioned techniques, in conjunction with HA. Hope that helps and please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks so much for reading my article, and taking the time to comment:)