Beyond hydration to anti-aging, everything you need to know about Hyaluronic Acid and the wonders it does for your skin. The benefits of nature’s exceptional moisturizing ingredient are about to go next-level.
Hyaluronic Acid is one of the best ingredients in moisturizers. Renowned for its’ capacity to hold water at 1000-times its own weight for a plumping power that helps skin look not only hydrated but younger. Now major developments in formulation are giving hydration’s essential ingredient a renaissance in anti-aging. Here’s what Hyaluronic Acid can do for our faces in 2018.
there’s nothing acid-like about Hyaluronic Acid
First, a recap, what is Hyaluronic Acid anyway?
The most deceptive name, there’s nothing acid-like about Hyaluronic Acid. In fact it’s a sugar (a glycosaminoglycan).
This natural component was first found by biologists made in the human body in the eyes, but it’s all over the body, holding water in the tissues and the skin.
Researchers have discovered half of the total Hyaluronic Acid we have is in the skin, most in the dermis (skin’s second layer) but also the epidermis (skin’s first layer)
Hyaluronic Acid
can hold up to1000 timesits weight in water
Now, what does Hyaluronic Acid do?
Called the “sponge of the skin” its’ primary property is that it takes up and retains water – a capacity technically-termed - hygroscopic – the ability to hold water. Just as a sponge loads up with water, Hyaluronic Acid, thanks to its specific structure, holds onto moisture to give skin its’ fullness. But not just a little, this sugar acid will take 1000 times its weight in water. In the average person, 15g of Hyaluronic Acid holds 15kg of the body’s water. Efficient it is. Until it’s not. Because, like our other natural skin secrets, collagen and elastin, the amount of Hyaluronic Acid we make declines with age. Naturally.
Hyaluronic Acid for the face: to moisturize, to renew, to heal
Which is why skincare formulas with natural-origin Hyaluronic Acid come dermatologist-recommended. Beyond hydration, the ingredient is active in healing, anti-inflammation and cellular renewal. While busily storing water reserves in the dermis to prevent the epidermis drying out, Hyaluronic Acid also carries nutrients to skin cells to aid cellular renewal. At the skin’s surface, Hyaluronic Acid improves the infamous barrier effect – by literally physically covering the skin cell receptors involved in inflammation. Its capacity to soothe makes it of interest in dermatology to heal post cosmetic procedures. While its other cosmetic use is as a filler injected into skin itself, to improve hydration levels deeper down to restore its natural plumpness.
Where does Hyaluronic Acid come from?
There’s vegan, natural, naturally-derived, synthetic…the Hyaluronic Acid in skincare comes from a range of sources. When natural, it’s typically sourced from plant and wheat fermentation. Plants are fermented with certain bacteria, then purified to extract the Hyaluronic Acid within, for a naturally-derived Hyaluronic Acid. The Hyaluronic Acid used in Vichy products is naturally-derived from wheat.
Next-generation Hyaluronic Acid
Previously, to maximize the skin benefits of Hyaluronic Acid – you could combine it in low molecular weight in an anti-aging serum with a cream with high molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate. Now, innovations do both in one. To both hydrate AND fill, larger-sized Hyaluronic Acid to reinforce skin barrier is combined with a fragmented version for its anti-aging and smoothing results. A low-high combination to soak into skin for an impact on radiance, softness and overall fresh look to the complexion. In 2018, “nature’s moisturizer” can add “nature’s anti-ager” to its accolades.