Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance found in various parts of the human body, including the skin. As we age, its levels decrease, impacting our skin's hydration and elasticity. Luckily, by adding products that contain Hyaluronic Acid to your skin care routine, you can benefit from its hydrating properties.
THE BENEFITS OF HYALURONIC ACID TO YOUR SKIN
Hyaluronic Acid has many biological functions. Its unique ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water makes it an exceptionally effective hydrating agent in skin care products.
HYDRATING YOUR SKIN
To understand how Hyaluronic Acid hydrates the skin, it's crucial to differentiate between "hydrating" and "moisturising". Moisturising is a process that creates a barrier on the skin's surface to lock in moisture and prevent it from evaporating. Hydrating refers to the process of retaining or increasing water content within your skin.
The smaller molecules of Hyaluronic Acid can, unlike some ingredients that sit on top of your skin, penetrate your skin's surface. These small molecules act as moisture magnets by forming bonds with water molecules present in your skin. In this way, Hyaluronic Acid helps to regulate the skin’s water balance and provides a deep and long-lasting hydration effect.
Bigger Hyaluronic Acid molecules also provide hydration on the outer layers of your skin, contributing to better surface hydration. Although Hyaluronic Acid is not a moisturiser, by retaining water in your skin, it can indirectly ensure that the outermost layer of the skin remains strong and intact, strengthening your skin's barrier function.
SMOOTHING AND SOFTENING SKIN
This deep hydration provided by Hyaluronic Acid has a smoothing effect on your skin's surface.1,3 Moreover, Hyaluronic Acid's ability to store moisture within your skin, leaves your skin feeling soft and supple with skin texture appearing smoother and more resilient throughout the day.
BOOSTING THE ELASTICITY OF YOUR SKIN
The presence of moisture in the skin helps to stabilise the structural integrity of your skin's connective tissues, such as collagen and elastin fibres.1,3 Collagen is responsible for providing support and firmness to the skin, while elastin allows it to stretch and bounce back to its original shape. Studies have shown that Hyaluronic Acid's hydrating properties therefore help the skin to retain its elasticity.
Hyaluronic Acid for sensitive skin
Hyaluronic Acid is a versatile skin care ingredient suitable for all skin types. Its gentle and hydrating properties generally make Hyaluronic Acid suitable for sensitive skin. For those with dry skin, using a Hyaluronic Acid moisturiser or Hyaluronic Acid body lotion can be an excellent choice, especially during colder months.
If you have sensitive skin, it's important to know how to take care of it properly. Our article on 5 Tips for Taking Care of Sensitive Skin provides helpful insights on caring for sensitive skin and keeping it balanced and soothed.
HYALURONIC ACID FOR OILY AND COMBINATION SKIN
Oily skin often attempts to compensate for the lack of hydration by producing excess oil.5 This overproduction of oil not only leads to a greasy and shiny complexion, it can also clog pores and contribute to skin concerns. Studies suggest that Hyaluronic Acid plays an important role in helping to reduce both oil production and the size of sebaceous (oil) glands.
To learn more about taking care of your specific skin type and finding the best products for your needs, read A Guide to Dry, Oily and Combination Skin.
HYALURONIC ACID IN MOISTURISERS AND BODY LOTIONS
Due to its ability to attract and retain moisture, Hyaluronic Acid is a popular ingredient found in various skin care products.3
For your morning skin care, try Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Moisturiser, a lightweight and quick-absorbing Hyaluronic Acid moisturiser, that provides immediate and long-lasting hydration, leaving your skin feeling smooth and refreshed.
If you are seeking deep hydration and rejuvenation during the night, try Cetaphil Hydrating Night Cream. As you sleep, this cream’s fast-absorbing formula replenishes moisture, leaving your skin soft and smooth in the morning.
Specifically created for the delicate eye area is Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel. This eye gel visibly diminishes dark spots and improves radiance after just 14 days of use. Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and Licorice Extract, it provides long-lasting hydration, while nourishing the skin around your eyes.
With Cetaphil's dedication to gentle and non-irritating formulations, the above products are suitable for even the most sensitive skin types, while tackling the 5 Signs of Sensitive Skin - dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness and a weakened skin barrier.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Incorporating Hyaluronic Acid into your skin care routine can noticeably improve your skin's texture and overall appearance. Whether you're looking for deep hydration or soft and smooth skin, this ingredient has the potential to deliver exceptional hydration results.
References
- Bravo B, Correia P, Gonçalves Junior JE, Sant'Anna B, Kerob D. Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin ageing: From literature review to clinical evidence. Dermatologic Therapy. 2022; 35( 12):e15903. doi:10.1111/dth.15903
- Harvard Health Publishing, The hype on hyaluronic acid. Accessed July 27, 2023. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-hype-on-hyaluronic-acid-2020012318653
- Bukhari SNA, Roswandi N, Muhammad W, et al. Hyaluronic Acid, a Promising Skin Rejuvenating Biomedicine: A Review of Recent Updates and Pre-clinical and Clinical Investigations on Cosmetic and Nutricosmetic Effects. International journal of biological macromolecules. 2018;120(Pt B):1682-1695. doi:120. 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.188
- Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakoulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):253-8. doi: 10.4161/derm.21923. PMID: 23467280; PMCID: PMC3583886
Jung YR, Hwang C, Ha J-M, et al. Hyaluronic Acid Decreases Lipid Synthesis in Sebaceous Glands. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2017;137 (6), 1215-1222, doi:10.1016/j.jid.2017.01.017
