Hyaluronic Acid Benefits
Hyaluronic Acid benefits skin in many ways—as a moisturizer, strengthener, and defense against aging.
The top 6 ways that Hyaluronic Acid benefits skin include:
Hyaluronic Acid as a Moisturizer
1.Attracts and Holds Moisture
Some experts say that Hyaluronic Acid has the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. This is a feat that even some of the best hydrators can’t accomplish. Hyaluronic Acid is able to do this in two ways:
First, when moisture is available in the atmosphere, such as when humidity is present, Hyaluronic Acid latches on to those water molecules and delivers them to the skin’s outermost layer.
Second, if moisture isn’t available externally, Hyaluronic Acid attracts water from deeper layers within the skin. Think of Hyaluronic Acid like a magnet pulling water from down below. It then redirects this source of hydration where it’s needed.
Shero Tip: Regardless of where Hyaluronic Acid pulls water, that water is at risk of evaporation. This can lead to dehydration (the opposite of what you want), so be sure to seal in your Hyaluronic Acid serum with a moisturizer rich in emollients.
2.Prevents breakouts
Part of Hyaluronic Acids benefits as a moisturizer is its ability to regulate the moisture balance in the skin. [1] It’s simple—take some water where there is too much and redirect it to where there is too little.
This can help balance the amount of the oil in the skin as well by treating dehydrated skin. When skin is dehydrated, it may become overly oily to compensate for the lack of moisture. This can lead to breakouts. By treating dehydrated skin and excessive oiliness, the moisture levels in skin become balanced and adult acne is prevented.
3.Hyaluronic Acid Makes Skin Stronger
Speeds Wound Healing
One of Hyaluronic Acid’s greatest benefits is its ability to heal and repair wounds, including skin. Because of its involvement in body and skin tissue, Hyaluronic Acid levels increase where wounds are present. [9] More than half of the body’s Hyaluronic Acid levels are in the skin, so when the skin is inflamed or wounded, Hyaluronic Acid benefits the rate at which the wound heals.
Hyaluronic Acid present during wound healing is also believed to aid in the synthesis of various types of collagen. [9] This is because collagen is also present during skin repair. When your skin is in trouble, both Hyaluronic Acid and collagen found naturally within your body come to the rescue. However, both these substances diminish exponentially with age, which is why it’s important to supplement with a Hyaluronic Acid cream or serum.
3.Defends Against Free Radicals
New research shows that Hyaluronic Acid benefits include antioxidant properties, which means that this substance defends against oxidative stress. [10] [11] Since Hyaluronic Acid assists in healing wounds and soothing inflammation, this is no surprise. However, more research is needed to expound upon the antioxidant properties of Hyaluronic Acid when applied topically.
4.Enhances Natural Barriers
The skin’s barriers are integral to skin’s overall health and protection. Since skin is our body’s first line of defense, we depend on it everyday to protect our organs from external contaminants and pollutants. However, when skin is unhealthy, skin’s barriers are compromised, inhibiting the body from defending itself from environmental aggressors.
Skin’s barriers are further inhibited by unsafe and harmful skin care ingredients and products. Fortunately, Hyaluronic Acid isn’t one of them. In fact, Hyaluronic Acid supports the natural barriers by keeping skin’s moisture balanced and defending against free radical activity. [12]
Hyaluronic Acid Promotes Anti-Aging
5.Fine lines and wrinkles
The anti-aging properties of Hyaluronic Acid have long been studied, and its role in combating the signs of aging have been confirmed. When applied topically, Hyaluronic Acid can decrease the depth of wrinkles by up to 40% and increase skin firmness and elasticity by up to 50%. [13]
Hyaluronic Acid in skin care products doesn’t penetrate the dermis. Instead, these molecules stay in the epidermis. This works out for aging skin because there’s significantly more Hyaluronic Acid naturally available in the dermis than in the epidermis, meaning that Hyaluronic Acid is needed in the epidermis. [1] Because existing Hyaluronic Acid in skin is rapidly degraded, external Hyaluronic Acid is needed to fill in fine lines and wrinkles.
UV radiation and sun damage are huge concerns when it comes to skin aging. In fact, research suggests that up to 80% of skin aging is related to the damages of UV radiation. [1] Since this is a form of skin wounds, and Hyaluronic Acid plays a huge role in skin repair, this substance can improve photoaging and sun damage. [1]
6.Skin tone and Pigmentation
In addition to decreasing fine lines and wrinkles and increasing skin firmness, Hyaluronic Acid helps skin tone appear more uniform and reduces the appearance of pigmentation. [13] Hyaluronic Acid smooths out roughness for even skin topography and improved skin structure. With the help of Hyaluronic Acid creams and serums, the overall texture of skin is noticeably more even in tone and color.
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