Hyaluronic acid is a gooey, slippery substance that your body produces naturally. Scientists have found hyaluronic acid throughout the body, especially in eyes, joints and skin.
Here are just a few of the benefits of hyaluronic acid:
It helps things move smoothly. Hyaluronic acid helps your joints work like a well-oiled machine. It prevents pain and injury from bones grinding against each other.
It helps keep things hydrated. Hyaluronic acid is very good at retaining water. A quarter-teaspoon of hyaluronic acid holds about two litres of water. That’s why hyaluronic acid is often used for treating dry eyes. It’s also used in moisturising creams, lotions, ointments and serums.
It makes your skin flexible. Hyaluronic acid helps skin stretch and flex and reduces skin wrinkles and lines. Hyaluronic acid is also proven to help wounds heal faster and can reduce scarring.
How does hyaluronic acid work?
Hyaluronic acid belongs to a type of long, complicated chain-like molecules called polymers. The chain has plenty of spots on it where other chemical compounds (like water, for example) can latch on, making it the best polymer — natural or artificial — for absorbing water (and a key ingredient in moisturising products).
Because it has lots of space for other molecules to latch on, hyaluronic acid is great for transporting other molecules throughout your body. It also has the ability to attach itself to cells, which is why targeted delivery of medications using hyaluronic acid is a major topic of study.
Hyaluronic acid’s chain-like structure also means it can act like a scaffold structure, allowing tissues to grow. This is a key step in how wounds heal on your body.
Does hyaluronic acid work?
Yes, depending on how it’s used. It’s a versatile molecule and scientists are still finding new and beneficial ways to use it. Right now, it’s most often used for skin, joint and eye health. It’s also the topic of hundreds of scientific studies and trials around the world.
What does hyaluronic acid do for skin?
Long-term use of hyaluronic acid serum on your skin or in a supplement taken by mouth can improve overall skin health. It’s also great for helping improve overall skin flexibility and elasticity (meaning it makes your skin more stretchy and soft).
"Poorly hydrated skin is unable to maintain an appropriately intact skin barrier, leaving the skin more vulnerable to damage from external and environmental sources" says Shari Marchbein, MD.
It is recommended to apply products with hyaluronic acid during the winter especially, when the skin tends to be at its driest.
There are three types of hyaluronic acid:
Hydrolysed hyaluronic acid is hyaluronic acid that has been broken down into elements small enough to penetrate the skin, Gasquet says. It’s moisturising, but not the most moisturising option, so it’s best for people who have oily or combination skin, since these skin types want to avoid over-moisturising.
Sodium hyaluronate goes deeper into the skin and delivers even better results. “Sodium hyaluronate is best for people who have normal skin because it will allow moisture to seep in, but you don’t really need a heavy-duty, long-lasting effect”, Gasquet.
Sodium acetylated hyaluronate has the benefits of sodium hyaluronate but with longer-lasting results. It’s best for people who need moisture, such as those with dry skin, those who live in dry climates, or those looking for a product for the dry winter months.
According to Cleveland Clinic, hyaluronic acid can be used with vitamin C products to assist in effective penetration.
Credit to Cleveland Clinic, Everydayhealth
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