Hyaluronic acid has a well-earned reputation, even while other notable skincare ingredients have appeared and vanished. It is packed with anti-aging properties and offers several benefits for any skin type. But these are not the only reasons why hyaluronic acid is offered in skin care products. This superstar ingredient has multiple ways to improve skin.
Also referred to as “glycosaminoglycan,” hyaluronic acid is often paired with Vitamin C in skin care products to assist with effective penetration. Due to its ability to naturally stop or “reverse” aging in both humans and animals, this substance has gained a reputation that stands apart from other ingredients used in the cosmetics industry. This naturally-occurring substance is found in joint fluid, younger skin, and other tissues.
As a natural structural component of skin, this ingredient is known to be part of the connective tissues in the human body which provide cushion and lubrication. Hyaluronic acid is a type of molecule that is partially composed of sugars.
Skin care products are, of course, used to treat wrinkled skin. As we age, hyaluronic acid is destroyed by the forces of nature. The level of hyaluronic acid in the human body can also be affected by diet and smoking over time.
When compared to any other synthetic or natural polymer, hyaluronic acid is considered to have a great capacity to hold moisture. Its ability to retain moisture is the main reason why hyaluronic acid is used in skin care products. Herein is the magic of this ingredient.
To demonstrate its water retentive ability, research has shown that 1 g of hyaluronic acid can hold up to 6 liters of water. Its moisture content is known to be part of the characteristics of youthful skin. Therefore, when it comes to aging, hyaluronic acid plays a large role.
Loss of pliability and firmness of the skin are major effects of aging. However, it is important to note that not everyone’s skin becomes dry with age. Due to sun damage and/or other factors, the skin tends to lose some of the moisture it contained in its youth for some, but not others. People can still have oily skin even when they are in their 60s (often as oily as when they were in their 20s).
Hyaluronic acid can enhance the skin’s natural barrier properties, as well as improve the moisture content. However, it does not just end there with hyaluronic acid, as there are many other benefits that go beyond a more youthful appearance.
One of the top benefits is that hyaluronic acid helps reduce skin inflammation by providing antioxidant defense against free-radical damage. And, that may be the most compelling reason that Hyaluronic acid is needed in skin care products..