Hyaluronic acid is nothing new, but it is currently enjoying a lot of hype! Being that skin is our largest organ, it is always last in line to receive the benefits of the water we drink, and can suffer in nourishment, elasticity, texture and resilience. Topical application of a multi-weight hyaluronic acid (HA) serum helps bridge the gap, particularly in older skin and wounded skin, in which hyaluronic acid facilitates autolytic debridement (the body’s own healing process). Hyaluronic acid has been in your skincare products for many years, from serums and moisturizers to sheet masks and night creams, but what is it exactly?
What is hyaluronic acid?
HA is a moisture attracting, water retaining gel substance capable of holding 1000 times its weight in water. This is important news for every skin type. Why? Every skin type and condition benefits from being well hydrated: dry, oily, acne, sensitive, and everything in between. As a binding agent, hyaluronic acid helps to restore damaged barriers, patches flaky spots, and smooths rough texture. Keep it in the fridge to layer under a cold sheet mask in the summer or under a creamy mask in the winter.
Hyaluronic acid is a main component of our extracellular matrix, playing a key role in tissue regeneration, inflammation response, and angiogenesis, all of which are phases of skin wound repair.
Pro tip
Hyaluronic acid is not a stand-alone moisturizer. It needs to be locked in to preserve the water it draws and traps. Used alone, it may pull water from skin, leaving skin further dehydrated.