Hyaluronic Acid: The Fastest Way to Get Hydration Back Into Thirsty Skin
Hyaluronic acid might sound like a substance chemists use when they want to dissolve something, but the superstar ingredient only sounds intimidating—it’s in fact an amazing, skin-friendly substance, perhaps even one of the very best. Read on to find out exactly what makes hyaluronic acid so special.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is not an acid in the same sense as glycolic or salicylic acids (which are used to exfoliate). It is a sugary molecule, or polysaccharide, that is naturally occurring in the human body. It is found in areas like the joints, lips, connective tissues and eyeballs. It is also found in the skin. It’s essentially what keeps skin plump and hydrated, and looking youthful and fresh. (Babies have it in abundance).
As we age, particularly after 40, the levels of hyaluronic acid in our bodies begin to decrease. This leads to visible aging signs like fine lines, wrinkles, sagging and dryness. Hyaluronic acid can be found in a variety of skincare formulas, as well as in injectables (like Restylane and Juvederm) used by plastic surgeons and dermatologists.
What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do?
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, a substance that helps bind moisture to the skin. It essentially works like a sponge, drawing moisture from the environment around you to provide deep hydration to your skin cells.
It also has the remarkable ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water (this is the equivalent to about six litres). This ability is what makes it such a great hydrator for thirsty skin.
The hyaluronic acid molecule is too large to penetrate skin, so it stays on the surface to draw moisture and give skin that plump appearance. However, advanced technologies have created smaller molecules that allow hyaluronic acid to penetrate even deeper where it can better release hydration back into thirsty skin. Sodium hyaluronate, the salt of hyaluronic acid, is of much smaller molecular size, which allows it to penetrate deeper.
How Hyaluronic Acid Benefits Skin
Hyaluronic acid keeps skin smooth and supple, either helping to prevent the appearance of wrinkles or helping to “plump up” the look of skin so lines are less noticeable. It is safe and suitable for all skin types, even sensitive. As your skin moisture levels drop with age, products containing hyaluronic acid are the perfect solution to incorporate into your skincare routine to help combat the visible signs of ageing. These products work quickly and efficiently to help replenish lost moisture. Think of it like a tall glass of soothing, cool water for your skin.
Try These IMAGE Skincare Products with Hyaluronic Acid
VITAL C Hydrating Water Burst
This remarkable gel-textured product releases a burst of hyaluronic acid upon application, helping to plump up the appearance of skin, as well as thoroughly hydrate the skin, relieving dry patches and quenching parched areas. Antioxidants and peptides also present in this product further help to revitalise environmentally stressed skin and smooth out the appearance of wrinkles. Together with hyaluronic acid, these ingredients promote a much more youthful, more radiant look.
AGELESS Total Pure Hyaluronic 6 Filler
This is an amazing concentrated topical filler that contains six forms of high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid. The combination of different molecular weight forms of hyaluronic acid allows for superb and immediate hydration. It essentially helps to “fill in” the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without having to get actual injections.
