Here’s a beginner guide for the skin care ingredient you probably have seen or heard a lot.  Have you heard of the Hyaluronic Acid (HA)? It is widely used skin care ingredient ranging from serums to sheet masks and even injectables. But have you even took some time knowing what HA really is? What makes it most commonly used skin care ingredient? And what sets it apart from other skin care product? According to dermatologist, Dr. Lily Talakoub – Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is actually a sugar found naturally in our skin that holds water. The HA within our bodies holds thousand times its weight in water. And the benefits our skin gets from it? It helps retain all that moisture in our skin and joints plus prevents moisture from evaporating into the air. As we age, just like the collagen and elastin, the amount of naturally-occuring hyaluronic acid in our bodies decreases. According to Dr. Howard D. Sobel, a dermatologist in New York City, our diet plays a big role in helping the stimulation of HA in our bodies.  Incorporate fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants to protect skin from inflammation which in turn could help our skin retain the HA it produces. Hyaluronic Acid as powerful Humectant Because of HA’s ability to draw and hold water, it serves as a powerful humectant in your skin care regiment.  Hyaluronic Acid when used in skincare products such as creams and serums helps bring and locked in moisture to the surface of the skin.  Have you tried checking the labels of your skin care product? Chances are, some of those might have this a one of the ingredient. In today’s time where skin aging is on the topmost primary concern, it is indeed important for all of us to fully understand what the skin benefits that Hyaluronic Acid could offer. Let us then explore what makes Hyaluronic Acid the Holy Grail to wrinkle-free youthful hydration.

Hyaluronic Acid provides Skin Hydration

Consider Hyaluronic Acid as a big drink of water for your skin because of its ability to draw and hold water. HA helps bring water to the skin using humectants – humectants which in turn helps collect moisture and bind water to skin cells, giving layers of skin with valuable, rejuvenating moisture.

Hyaluronic Acid enhances the lipid barrier

Lipid barrier is our skin’s natural barrier – made up of naturally occurring fatty acids. Our skin, being the largest organ in our body functions as our first line of defense from all the external environmental factors. As we age, the lipid barrier in our epidermis (part of the skin, thin outer layer of the skin that is visible to the eye and works to provide protection to the body.) slows down. There are a lot of factors to consider that causes damage to our lipid barrier, the most common of course is the UV rays, environmental pollution and your lifestyle choices. And the visible result of the damage?  Fine lines, dark spots and even drier skin. And that is where Hyaluronic Acid comes in to the rescue. HA enhances the skin’s natural barrier to help lock in moisture. Over time, this can primarily help slow down the deterioration of our skin’s lipid barrier.

Hyaluronic Acid helps lessen fine lines and wrinkles

Yep! You see it right. Hyaluronic Acid just addressed our most common skin care concern – fine lines and wrinkles.  Due to its capacity to retain large amount of water, it is a great source in keeping the skin hydrated. When a skin is protected and hydrated, increase skin cell production can take place. HA reduces visibility of fine lines and wrinkles by retaining moisture to the skin, creating plumping effect.

Hyaluronic Acid stimulates skin regeneration

A new skin cell would take about 28 days to make it to the surface of the skin. But as usual, we cannot stop ourselves from aging – the culprit to this wrinkles and visible fine lines. As we age, collagen and elastin production slows down same goes with the cell renewal process. Aging affects the ability of new skin cell to reach the surface of the skin. But worry a little bit no more. Why? Because HA could be of big help in the skin regeneration. While it won’t speed up the cell renewal process, hyaluronic acid on the other had promotes skin cell regeneration by what? By means of offering extra hydration and barrier protection to the skin. And the result? A healthier cells and a more vibrant complexion.

Say Hello to even tighter skin tone! 

So the gossip must be true that Hyaluronic Acid is holy-grail to youthful looking skin.  Who would ever want a saggy skin right? Do not assume that HA would replace your skin’s elastin, but wait! It can help with the appearance of tightness in the skin. As it fills the skin with moisture, HA actually helps tighten the overall complexion. How amazing does that appeals to you?