Trusted and rightfully deemed as the Holy grail to plumpy, hydrated skin; - Hyaluronic Acid is now the favourite of many. Highly renowned for its hydrating and rejuvenating properties, hyaluronic acid has become a beloved staple in everybody’s skincare routines. Not only does it boost moisture content in your skin, but it also reduces the appearance of wrinkles and promotes the skin's wound-healing capacity.
In this blog, we'll delve into the numerous hyaluronic acid benefits for the face and explore why it is considered an essential ingredient for achieving youthful skin.
What is Hyaluronic acid (HA)?
(HA) is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan (a type of molecular sugar) found throughout the body’s connective tissue. Our skin holds its structure because of HA’s presence, making it look youthful and plumpy.
But, HA decreases as we age; just like collagen, and leads to saggy, aged skin. Therefore, it is an unmissable ingredient when it comes to skincare.
Now, there are 3 Types of Hyaluronic Acid:
1. Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
For it to easily penetrate into our skin, this type of HA needs to be broken down. You can consider this as a 6 out of 10 on the moisturization scale.
Therefore it is suggested and beneficial for people with an oily skin type.
2. Sodium Hyaluronate
This kind of HA seeps deeper into the various layers of your skin. It is effective in treating inflammation and attracting more moisture within.
People with a normal skin type can gain an advantage of this derivative.
3. Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Consider this as a more long-lasting version of sodium hyaluronate with increased benefits as well. So, people who experience dry skin can approach formulations that contain Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate.
Which skincare products contain Hyaluronic acid?
- Serums
- Facewash
- Sheet Masks
- Shampoos
- Lotions, Creams, Ointments
- Eye Creams
- Cleansers
- Moisturizers
- Lip Treatments
Is hyaluronic acid good for plumping skin and what are its other benefits?
- HA is an incredible ingredient for the skin prominently because of its molecular weight and concentration. It's a bit science-y concept but not a tough one to understand. The molecular weight refers to the mass - basically how big the molecule is; measured in daltons denoted as ‘kDa’ (unified atomic mass units).
- An HA molecule that ranges between 50-1000 kDa is very effective for our skin. A kDA lower than 130 is said to be the most effective one (as per a few researchers) that not only increases skin elasticity by 20% but also hydrates the skin. So if you are wondering - is hyaluronic acid good for flaky skin? - Well, surely it is.
- HA is a humectant that holds water on your skin’s surface, helping it stay hydrated. It is also believed that HA binds up to 1000 times its weight in water. HA aids your skin by working against TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and not letting water evaporate from your skin faster.
Hyaluronic acid helps our skin by
- Tackling ageing
- Healing wounds faster
- Increasing skin elasticity
- Decreasing wrinkles and fine lines
- Treating eczema
- Treating inflammation and redness
Benefits of Hyaluronic acid
As we have covered the basics here, let’s quickly move on to the other miraculous (yet scientifically backed) benefits of Hyaluronic acid in depth:
1. Provides ultimate hydration
Our skin craves and longs for hydration. Never let it stay thirsty. Hyaluronic acid is like water for your skin, and its main benefit as you may know by now is providing hydration.
When you experience hyaluronic acid use for the face, your skin feels rejuvenated and well nourished. But, is hyaluronic acid good for uneven skin tone?! Well, it is a great way to achieve glowing skin naturally. Just make sure to use a product that contains HA in its purest form to see the difference. Serums are arguably the best way to incorporate HA. You can try out iORA’s Prebiotic Radiant Serum which contains essential organic superfoods along with our showstopper - HA.
2. Acts as a Humectant for Skin
As stated earlier, HA can hold and bind water onto your skin’s surface - making it a great humectant. Moreover, it has a long-lasting effect as well, so that’s a cherry on top.
3. Improves Lipid Barrier
Our skin’s lipid barrier becomes weak as we age and this process gets accelerated even more due to external environmental stressors like pollutants and UV rays. Fine lines, wrinkles, uneven patchy skin, and dark spots are the results of this menace. The solution to this is Hyaluronic acid which actually repairs and strengthens the skin’s natural barrier. Moreover, it also slows down its degeneration process.
Once the skin barrier is in its optimal health, it is resilient enough to defend itself from the environmental stressors effectively.
4. Tightens skin
Is hyaluronic acid good for sagging skin?
Yes, absolutely!
As we age, we keep losing our skin elasticity and collagen. Our skin doesn’t bounce back anymore and the plumpiness is all gone. Generally, ageing starts while you are in your late 20’s, but it can also start early due to a lack of good skincare habits. But even the natural cycle of aging can be postponed by making conscious skincare efforts and using the right products.
HA is one potent ingredient that replaces the weakened elastin in your skin and improves your skin’s texture. It also visibly plumps up your skin and firms facial contours.
5. Evens out skin texture
A smooth silky skin texture is very appealing and is also a sign of good skin health. People who suffer from acne, or black/whiteheads tend to have uneven skin surface and bumps. Using HA regularly improves skin texture and gives you silky smooth skin.
6. Reduces signs of ageing
If your skin is undernourished, it is prone to age faster. So you start looking older than your actual age. This also means that you start getting fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, etc.
But, remember this - it is never too late to revive your skin. With proper care and the right ingredients, it is possible to slow down ageing. Hyaluronic acid is one of those powerful ingredients to incorporate into your routine. Now you must be thinking - Is hyaluronic acid good for mature skin?! Well, even an 80-year-old can use and benefit from it. P.s. You can start using HA in your mid-twenties.
As it has hydrating qualities, regularly applying it to your skin makes fine lines and wrinkles less visible.
7. Aids in New Skin Cell Regeneration
Our natural skin regeneration is sometimes triggered due to obvious skincare mistakes we make. Plus, it is a slow process to start with. While using HA doesn’t accelerate this process, it protects and repairs the barrier by moisturising it - which in turn aids the skin cell regeneration process.
8. Fades Pigmentation
Everyone wants to get rid of discoloration, pigmentation, dark spots, tanning, leftover acne marks, and similar nightmares. Using Hyaluronic acid alongside brightening treatments prevents pigmentation.
Combining Vitamin C serums is a great way to deal with this issue.
9. Improves Overall Skin Health
Hyaluronic acid is an amazing ingredient for skin recovery and revival. Just like other skincare activities, you must include it in your routine every time. It also contains certain antioxidant properties that help clear your skin in the most natural and effective way.
HA even has an antioxidant property that protects your skin from free radicals, giving you tighter, smoother skin.
Moving on to some FAQs to decode Hyaluronic acid even further -
Hyaluronic acid is good for which skin type?
- Fortunately, every skin can benefit from it. Hyaluronic acid is good for sensitive skin, oily skin, dry skin, and even combination skin types.
Is hyaluronic acid good for oily skin?
- It is a myth that oily skin doesn’t need moisture. In fact, humectants like Hyaluronic acid help control excess sebum production while working wonders on your skin.
Is hyaluronic acid good for teenage skin?
- Yes, you can use it during your early ages, but it might not be necessary. Consult your dermatologist if you wish to start using it.
Is hyaluronic acid good for dark skin?
- Yes, absolutely, you can use it even if you have a deeper complexion.
Is hyaluronic acid good for eczema skin?
- If you suffer from mild to moderate eczema, you can use Hyaluronic acid as it helps improve the symptoms. Although a foam-based formulation is suggested in this case.
Is hyaluronic acid good for rosacea skin?
- Yes, it can help soothe the affected skin and also level up the hydration which is always a good sign for people suffering from rosacea.
Is hyaluronic acid good for fungal acne?
- Fungal acne can lead to dry, irritated skin and therefore, suing HA is a good choice. Additionally, fungal acne can leave behind scars and minor skin injuries (sometimes which are even invisible to the naked eye) that can be healed by regularly applying HA.
Things to consider and keep in mind while using Hyaluronic acid
- If you are new to HA or even using it daily for some time, please check its concentration level mentioned on the label or the website you are buying it from. Make sure its concentration level is below 2 percent.
- HA can never cause any ugly skin reactions, especially when used on its own, but if you still feel or see any visible changes that concern you; consult an expert dermatologist regarding the same.
Conclusion
Have your player’s worth using Hyaluronic acid the right way to improve your skin health and glow like a glazed doughnut. HA is a great example of how youthful skin can be achieved naturally.
As an organic skincare brand, we understand the importance of natural and effective ingredients, and hyaluronic acid is undoubtedly a star player in the world of skincare. Therefore, we consider Hyaluronic acid as a star ingredient that aligns with our superfood-enriched skincare philosophy. So, we hope this article was enough to convince you to embrace its hydrating and rejuvenating powers through our prebiotic range.