Face skin which is free from the signs of aging is a desire that most of us have. Genes are important but unfortunately many of us didn’t inherit flawless skin from their ancestors. Is there a substance that will make your skin firm, resilient and wrinkle-free longer? Hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients for youthful look so cosmetics infused with the acid are surely worth it.
Even advanced skin aging process can be hindered thanks to procedures using this very substance. Still, hyaluronic acid works very well without invasive procedures. Merely using products containing the acid will make you see lots of benefits and a total makeover.
What is hyaluronic acid and how it works?
Hyaluronic acid is a marvelous skin “hydrator” which binds water in the body like no other ingredient. Are you aware that one tiny molecule of hyaluronic acid is able to bind 250 water molecules? You’ll be even more impressed after finding out that one gram of the acid is able to bind approx. six liters of water!
Moreover, hyaluronic acid combines collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis so the skin is moisturized, soft, elastic whereas the occurrence of wrinkles is significantly delayed.
When we grow older, the levels of hyaluronic acid in skin drop so collagen fibers become “loose”. This obviously translates to very dry, sagging skin and face lines. Every day, approx. 30% of hyaluronic acid is broken down. New acid comes in its place yet the production is gradually reduced due to aging.
Types of hyaluronic acid. Which one to pick?
Hyaluronic acid has a few forms and a variety of effects, which depends on the size of molecules:
- HMWHA: High molecular weight hyaluronic acid, mass 1,0–1,8 million Da.
- LMWHA: Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, mass 100 000–400 000 Da.
- ULMWHA: Ultra-low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, mass 3000–10 000 Da.
NOTE!!!
The smaller the molecules, the better the penetration inside the epidermis. Therefore, while shopping for hyaluronic acid-based products, check the size of molecules. Many brands like to include two or more forms of the acid in a cosmetic to protect various layers of the skin.
Hyaluronic acid vs sunbathing
Many people wrongly conclude that since it is an acid, then it is photosensitive like most acids. Hyaluronic acid doesn’t exfoliate the epidermis so there are no contraindications for applying it prior to the sun exposure. You should remember, though, that UVA and UVB radiation triggers faster skin aging so you always need to use sunblock before going out.
Hyaluronic acid-infused cosmetics
There are two most common types of hyaluronic acid skin care products, namely, moisturizers and serums. The concentration of the acid is usually around 2%-5%. Also remember that serum is too light to intensely moisturize the skin and thus it always needs the formation of occlusion on the skin surface to secure the epidermis against the loss of moisture.
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