Hyaluronic acid is a product that is loved by people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, skin types, and income brackets. But what is it about this staple skincare piece that makes it so wildly popular? Here’s everything you need to know about what it is, what it does, and why you need to start incorporating it into your skincare routine.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a clear, gooey substance that is naturally produced by the human body. It’s most commonly found in skin, eyes, and connective tissues. The substance is great at retaining moisture, and its key function is to keep body tissues well lubricated.
While it’s often taken as a supplement, HA is also commonly used in topical serums, and even eye drops. But why is it used so often in skincare and what does it do for your skin? We’ll answer all of your questions and more below.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is an essential player in the elasticity and moisture of our skin, but as we age, the amount of HA found in our skin decreases. That’s why serums and topical applications of HA are so common in skincare products today. Here’s a look at some of the benefits HA can offer your skin.
It Hydrates Your Skin
Picture this. You just finish washing your face. You pat it dry with a towel and then apply a solid amount of your favorite moisturizer. Things are feeling good. But a couple of minutes later, your face feels dry again. Did you not apply enough moisturizer? What is going on?
Here’s the deal. Most moisturizers are great for applying the much-needed oils to your skin to keep it healthy and smooth. But what they’re lacking is water. Wait a minute. You had plenty of water on your face when you were washing it. That’s not enough? Not quite. Straight water on your skin dries out too fast to really be effective as a moisturizer. That’s where hyaluronic acid comes in.
HA is capable of holding up to 1,000 times its molecular weight in water. The substance easily penetrates your skin and binds the water in so it doesn’t dry out as quickly as splashing water alone on your face. Applying an HA serum to your skin after washing and before moisturizing will lock in moisture and completely eliminate that pesky “dry face” feeling.
Keep in mind that hydration and moisturizing are two different things. Moisturizers moisten, and HA hydrates. You need both for happy, healthy skin.
It Fortifies The Lipid Barrier
Think about the skin on your body. Its purpose is to protect your internal organs, blood vessels, bones, muscles, and more from harmful outside forces. Every day you are exposed to things like germs, dirt, UV rays, cigarette smoke, and other environmental hazards. The outer layer of your skin has something called a lipid barrier that traps in water to prevent these toxins and hazards from entering your body.
The lipid barrier is highly effective in young people, but as we age, the outside hazards have an impact on our skin and the barrier slows down significantly leading to wrinkles, dry skin, and dark spots.
HA naturally strengthens these barriers and helps your skin continue doing its job for much longer than it would on its own. The hydration it provides fortifies your lipid barrier and slows deterioration, leading to beautiful and healthy skin for years to come. It increases the resilience of your skin so it can more easily fight off the toxins it’s regularly exposed to and stay brighter and less wrinkled for longer.
It Reduces the Visibility of Wrinkles
HA offers advantages to people of all ages, whether you start using it in your teen years or wait until you qualify for senior discounts. You’re never too old to reap the benefits it can offer your skin.
Incorporating HA into your skincare routine can help reduce the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines by hydrating the skin and holding in moisture. This naturally plumps the skin and smooths out wrinkles. Hydrated skin and healthy skin, so it can also help with skin cell production and fuller skin cells.
Although you should use care when applying any products to the delicate skin under your eyes, HA in addition to a specialty eye cream can help hydrate and smooth there too.
It Improves Skin Elasticity
Do you know those elderly cartoon characters that are depicted with the skin on their face hanging down inches off of their faces? That can happen in real life too. But not if you use hyaluronic acid regularly. It’s natural for the elasticity in your skin to break down with age and slowly your skin loses its ability to bounceback.
Worried your skin is already there? You can check by pinching the skin on the back of your hand. Once you let go, pay attention to how long it takes to snap back into place. If it goes back quickly then you’re in good shape. But if it stays in a pinched position even after you’ve let go, your elastin is fading.
While HA can’t replace the elastin in your skin, it can help with how tight your skin looks and improve the overall appearance. It fills your skin cells with moisture and tightens your complexion, firming the contours and making you look years younger.
GetGlowing Skincare Has Everything You Need For Flawless Skin
If you’re ready to perfect your skincare routine, GetGlowing Skincare has everything you need to get started. We offer an extensive line of Korean skincare products that won’t break the bank, including hyaluronic acid, facial moisturizers, masks/peels, sun protection, acne repair systems, and more. Our products are specially designed to clear your skin and make it glow from the inside out. Check out our online store today to find new facial care products you’re sure to love!