What is Hyaluronic Acid??
There’s no doubt you’ve?heard?of?this beauty buzzword.?Everywhere you turn,?hyaluronic?acid?is?making waves?amongst beauty editors,?influencers,?dermatologists?– and the rest. Its?praises are sung loud and proud across the industry, celebrated for its ability to hydrate and plump?the?skin.?But what exactly?is?this powerhouse component, and how does it function as a hero ingredient in skincare??
Well, for starters, hyaluronic acid?(HA)?is?a?type of?sugar?naturally produced by our bodies.?It’s?actually?pretty?important: it?keeps our joints lubricated, our eyes moist and our skin hydrated.?Sadly, our?production?of HA does deplete as we age,?forcing?our skin?to?lose elasticity and?essential?moisture?over time.?Amazing news, right??
Other?forms of hyaluronic acid include?topical skincare treatments?and injectables.?Synthetic?HA?products are?thought?to possess?hydrating?powers, allowing?complexions to?remain?bouncy?and?youthful.?That said, there?are?discrepancies on how far topical?treatments?can penetrate the skin’s surface.?
Still, if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s this: hyaluronic acid is a vital?factor?in?any quest for supple, healthy-looking skin.?
Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare?
The hyaluronic acid our body generates?is different to?the ingredient?we?find?in?skincare.?In topical treatments,?HA operates at surface level, meaning it helps?hydrate?the outer layer of?the?complexion.?Acting as a humectant, it draws moisture?from the surrounding area?to the skin and locks it there.?
Hyaluronic?acid, contrary to its abrasive-sounding name, does not perform as an exfoliator, nor does it strip or irritate the skin. Its main function is to replenish lost moisture levels.?What’s more, it’s said to hold up to 1000x its weight in water, making it ideal for dry?or?dehydrated?complexions.?
As it’s so efficient in attracting moisture to the skin,?there’s no?need to overload your?existing?routine with hyaluronic-infused products, either.?
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
HA?arrives?fully-equipped with?a range of?benefits.?The?versatile?ingredient?is?gentle?and non-irritating, making?it suitable for use on all skin types and tones?(including sensitive and redness-prone).?Benefits of hyaluronic acid include:?
?1. Hydrating the Skin?
Hyaluronic?acid is a natural humectant. This means it?has a general knack for keeping skin plump and conditioned. Coaxing moisture into?parched?complexions,?HA?works to hydrate the skin’s surface for?fresh,?luminous results.?
2. Anti-Ageing?Properties?
Owing to?the fact we produce less?hyaluronic acid?as we age, it’s important to replace lost moisture with topical treatments. Dry, dehydrated skin can cause fine lines to set up camp,?making complexions?appear less youthful. Hyaluronic?acid?seeks?to combat this,?filling?the?appearance?of even deep-set wrinkles for smoother, younger-looking skin.?
3. Plumping?Powers?
HA’s?ability to retain moisture?is useful in lending?skin a supple and bouncy?appearance.?The?impactful?ingredient?fleshes?out dehydration lines as it targets?dull?areas of skin, leaving?it?fresh and revitalised.?HA?is also found in?lip fillers, known for?invigorating?thinner?pouts?with?that?voluminous, plumped-up?effect.?
4. Rich in Antioxidants?
Antioxidants are essential?for keeping skin bright and healthy.?Hyaluronic acid?is known for its high antioxidant benefits, making it a?positive?addition to any skincare routine.?
5. Healing?Action?
Though we’re instinctively sceptical?towards?anything that claims?it can?heal?skin, HA?is thought to alleviate discomfort, irritation and the look of surface wounds.?Some doctors even use?HA?to ease?joint?pain?in?those who suffer with arthritis.?
How to Use Hyaluronic Acid?
Found in?cleansers, toners,?serums, moisturisers, face masks and body creams alike,?hyaluronic acid has managed to secure a permanent spot in our bathroom cabinet in one form or another. Important not to overload your skin, we’ve scouted our favourite HA-infused products to help revamp your?current?routine:?
