Hyaluronic Acid 101
The Skinsmith | 11th April 2022
Have you heard all about the amazing benefits of hydrating hyaluronic acid? A key ingredient in skincare, hyaluronic acid is the hot topic right now!
So, What Is Hyaluronic Acid and Why Is It So Beneficial to The Skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally produced by our bodies, it is a long carbohydrate or sugar known as a polysaccharide. You can find hyaluronic acid in the eyes, in between the joints for lubrication and in the skin and connective tissue. It is present in every tissue in the body with 50% of the bodies hyaluronic acid found within the skin.
Hyaluronic acid is a Humectant which means it has the ability to retain or preserve moisture or water. It is also Hygroscopic which means it can draw moisture from its surroundings (air). In the body it moisturises our tissues by retaining water, keeping them well lubricated and moist. In the skin where it is present in large quantities, hyaluronic acid provides moisture to the epidermis keeping the skin plump, firm, supple and hydrated.
If you lack hyaluronic acid in your skin, it will become dehydrated as dehydrated skin lacks water. Dry skin on the other hand lacks oil!
Dry skin can result in:
- redness
- a feeling of tightness
- rougher texture
- smaller pores
- flaking or peeling
Dehydrated skin can result in:
- itchiness
- fine lines and wrinkles
- sensitivity
- duller appearance
Are You Dehydrated?
A simple way to discover it your skin is crying out for moisture is to do a pinch test. There are two ways you can do this:
Photo Credit tiphero.com & sousvideresources.com
- Pinch the skin on the back of your hand or on your cheek and hold for a few seconds. If the skin snaps back to its original position quickly, then you are likely not dehydrated. If it takes longer then it could be dehydration causing the lack of snapback! It’s good to note here though, that as we age elasticity breaks down in the skin and this could also slow down that snapback!
So, another great way to test for dehydration is: - Hold your thumb and index finger tightly together for up to a minute, if you see an indent in your finger and/or thumb when you pull them apart, this could mean you are dehydrated.
If you find that you are dehydrated there are ways to help re-hydrate. Firstly, drinking water, this simple tip is vital for your bodies hydration levels, make sure you incorporate lots of fresh fruit and vegetables into your diet also as they are high in H2O, another way is to make sure you use a moisturiser to lock in that vital hydration within your skin where it is needed.
Causes Of Dehydrated Skin
Although our body produces hyaluronic acid naturally, as we get older, we produce less hyaluronic acid than in our youth. This decline starts very early though when we are around 18 years old! So, it is important to maintain hydration in your skin to help prevent premature ageing and to incorporate hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine as early as your late teens! Products from the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Collection are ideal for all skin types including younger skins. Dry climates, low humidity and warmer seasons may also affect the hydration of your skin. These types of climates draw water from within the body where it can evaporate and leave your skin dehydrated. We also produce an enzyme called hyaluronidase that breaks down hyaluronic acid, so it is key to make sure we have more hyaluronic acid than we do hyaluronidase by staying hydrated!
Hyaluronic acid is quite the molecule it can hold 1000 times its own weight in water, so when our skin is plumped full of hyaluronic acid it is just like the sponge on the right below. The dry one on the left would simulate dehydrated skin lacking in hyaluronic acid, whereas the hydrated sponge on the right is retaining all the moisture helping it to keep plump, firm, supple and more youthful-looking!
Photo Credit - soniakeu.com
Size Matters When It Comes to Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid comes in different sizes or molecular weights and this is important when considering a skincare product with hyaluronic acid. The best option is to look for a multi-weight hyaluronic acid like Eminence’s Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex, as this will deliver hydration on multilayers including the skin's surface and deeper into the layers of the epidermis. The lower the molecular weight the deeper absorption into the skin. Utilizing a product that hydrates deeply and, on the surface, means it will plump and hydrate the skin whilst also protecting the skin barrier function. A healthy skin barrier function means your skin is better protected from environmental stressors and lowers transepidermal water loss (TEWL) the natural evaporation of hyaluronic acid from the skin.
Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid
Making sure you have enough hyaluronic acid in your skin will mean that your skin remains healthy and hydrated, the benefits of a hydrated skin include:
- Smoother, more supple skin
- Plumped, firmer skin
- Lubricated, moisturised tissues
- Reduced lines and wrinkles
- Better and faster repair and rejuvenation of skin cells and even wounds
- More snap back in your skin
- Heathier skin barrier function
With all the benefits of hydration in your skin from hyaluronic acid, this gem of a skincare ingredient is a must for all skin types. Check out our newest products in the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Collection:
- Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Hydrator.
- Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Eye Gel.
- Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Body Lotion.
These three new products extend the benefits of the award-winning original Strawberry Rhubarb products which have been reformulated to contain the multi-weight hyaluronic acid in the Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex. All six products now contain the new multi-weight complex which you can find in Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant, Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum and in a Strawberry Rhubarb Masque
Find The Right Cleanser to Include in Your Skincare Routine by Checking Out Our Extensive Range of Cleansers Here
If you are looking to find out more about hyaluronic acid, get in touch and speak to a member of our friendly team today by emailing us at [email protected] or by speaking to a member of the Skinsmith team today on 01305 300950 . We look forward to hearing from you.