10 Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
In the world of skin care, trendy ingredients come and go (and many of them never should have been popular to begin with!). Research shows that hyaluronic acid is not just a trend; on the contrary, it’s one of the best skin care ingredients you can use.
So, what does hyaluronic acid do? Hyaluronic acid can enhance moisture content beyond comparison. It also revitalizes skin’s outer surface layers, so they look and feel softer, smoother and radiantly hydrated. This instantly improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Read below and learn about the Top Ten Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid:
1. Hydration
Hydration = Hyaluronic Acid.
The science-based magic lies in hyaluronic acid’s ability to replenish moisture, a lot of it. HA is able to hold up to 1,000 times its molecular weight in water! What’s even more impressive is that hyaluronic acid can do this for skin without tipping the scales and giving skin too much water (which, surprisingly, can be a problem because it breaks down key substances that normally hold skin’s surface intact).
Hyaluronic acid penetrates the skin and binds water to skin cells, infusing all layers of the skin with valuable, rejuvenating moisture.
Environ HA Intensive Hydrating Serum is a revolutionary treatment that contains a high concentration of Hyaluronic Acid and Transcutol CG – a highly effective penetration enhancer – that intensely hydrates and adds volume visibly reducing fine lines and treating dry, photo-damaged skin.
2. Humectant
Humectants are used A LOT in skincare. Think of a humectant like a sponge; it will continue to draw in and hold onto moisture after it is collected. They allow hydrogen bonding and attract water. Examples of humectants in skincare products include ingredients like glycerin, sorbitol (sugar alcohol), hexylene and butylene glycol, and of course, hyaluronic acid.
After infusing the epidermis (top layer of the skin) with valuable moisture, hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant and continues to draw moisture in from the surrounding environment. This will provide lasting hydration for the skin.
3. Lipid Barrier Enhancement
Our skin’s main function is to protect our body. Obviously, our skin protects our internal organs, muscles, bones, etc. from the outside world. But, our skin also protects the body from harmful toxins that bombard us on a daily basis.
The top layer of the skin (the epidermis) takes the brunt of outside damage (toxins). As we age, the lipid barrier (fatty acids that trap in water and prevent irritants entering the skin) in the epidermis slows down. Everything from UV rays, to environmental pollution, to lifestyle choices (like smoking) cause damage. This damage results in more fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and dry skin.
Hyaluronic Acid fortifies the skin’s natural barriers to help lock moisture in for an even more dramatic hydrating effect. Over time, this can help slow down the the deterioration of the lipid barrier and help protect and fortify it.
4. Increased Resilience
When the lipid barrier is enhanced and protected by hyaluronic acid, the skin is better able to defend itself against environmental age-factors and pollutants. When it’s not fighting these toxins, the skin remains less wrinkled, brighter, and bouncier longer.
A good tip to remember: preservatives used in a lot of products can break down your barrier by killing off the good bacteria that also help defend the surface of your skin against toxins. The result is a loss of moisture, as well as potential irritation and even infection. Look for products with limited ingredients and not a lot of preservatives. Many people with oily or acne-prone skin tend to apply harsher chemicals to “strip” the skin of oil. It’s important to know that most acne-prone skin doesn’t have a strong lipid barrier, which encourages inflammation and irritation. Hyaluronic acid adds hydration, helps protect the lipid barrier and is recommended for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
5. Tighter Skin Tone
No one wants saggy skin. Ever. As we age, the elastin in the skin breaks down and skin loses its snap, or bounceback. A quick trick to check your elastin is to pinch the skin on the top of your hand. If it snaps back quickly, you still have a lot of elastin. As you age, the skin won’t bounce back as quickly. Next time you visit your mother or grandmother, try the test on them.
While Hyaluronic Acid will not replace your elastin, it can help with the appearance of tightness in the skin. As it fills the skin with moisture, hyaluronic acid tightens the overall complexion helping to firm facial contours for a more youthful appearance.
A growing body of research confirms oral intake of hyaluronic acid can make it to the skin, where it helps the lower layers influence what happens and becomes visible on skin’s surface. Amounts of 120-150 milligrams per day have been shown to increase skin’s hydration, aid in the transport of nutrients in skin, visibly improve elasticity, and complement the plumping, wrinkle-smoothing results topical hyaluronic acid provides.
Interesting fact: As we age, our skin’s natural content of hyaluronic acid drops dramatically. People between the ages of 19 and 47 have twice as much hyaluronic acid in their skin as those in their 50s and 60s. As we age into our 70s, that amount drops even further, making hyaluronic acid supplements even more important, as they help replace what skin loses with the passage of time (and of course, cumulative sun damage hastens this and other skin-aging processes).
6. Smoother Texture
Much in the same way it makes the appearance of the skin look tighter, hyaluronic acid also smooths the texture of the skin. This results in a silky smooth finish you can see and feel.
If skin is visibly scarred from acne, hyaluronic acid will not fill in those scars. But, combined with a tool like CIT Microneedling Dermaroller, over time, hyaluronic acid plus a dermaroller can make skin look smoother. Learn more about microneedling, the other benefits to using a dermaroller.
7. Less Visible Fine Lines and Wrinkles
It’s never too early to start protecting and nourishing the skin. Hyaluronic Acid helps reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles retaining moisture to the skin, creating a plumping effect. When the skin is protected and hydrated, increased skin cell production can take place, as the skin isn’t busy fighting for hydration. This leads to smoother, plumper skin cells.
The skin around the eye area is one of the first to show fine lines and wrinkles. We recommend using an eye cream such as Environ Vita-Peptide Eye Gel twice daily will help keep skin supple and hydrated, and prevent new lines from forming.
8. Stimulates Skin Cell Regeneration
While it won’t speed up the cell renewal process, hyaluronic acid does help promote skin cell regeneration by providing extra hydration and barrier protection to the skin. This naturally leads to healthier cells and a more vibrant complexion.
9. Pigmentation
When there is increased cell turnover, hyaluronic acid also helps reduce and prevent age spots and pigmentation issues. But, it cannot do it on it’s own. When looking to treat dark spots, a Environ Multi-Bioactive Mela-Prep Lotion, Intense C-Boost Mela-Even Cream and Vita-Botanical Mela-Fade Serum System should be paired with hyaluronic acid.
Also, no amount of sun damage can be undone without first protecting the skin from future sun damage. Always wear an Broad Spectrum Sunscreen with an SPF of at least 25 on a daily basis. Even on overcast days, and the days you don’t plan to be outside if you work in an office with compact fluorescent bulbs (which produce ultraviolet light).
10. Clarity
When oily skin is stripped of hydration (water) it overcompensates to hydrate the skin by producing oil. A big misconception is that oily and acne prone skins don’t need hydration, but in fact, they do.
By promoting proper moisture balance in the skin, hyaluronic acid prevents the over-production of oil that clogs pores and causes breakouts. For acne and blemish prone skin we recommend the Environ Focus Care Clarity+ range of products which includes Sebu-ACE Oil, a light textured botanical and vitamin enriched oil formulated to nourish skin and prevent the over-production of oil.
And there you have it, the Top Ten Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid.
Environ Sebu-ACE Oil
$50.00
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