As we age, wrinkles appear and cause us to look older than we really are. To slow down the effects of ageing on the skin, Hyaluronic Acid is the perfect molecule to adopt in your beauty routine. To understand why, we’ll explain what Hyaluronic Acid is.
Hyaluronic Acid: What is it
Just like collagen, our bodies produces Hyaluronic Acid - a naturally occurring polysaccharide located in the skin, joints and eyes. Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant: it is able to draw water from the environment, bind and retain water molecules in the skin. This keeps our skin hydrated and youthful looking as well-hydrated skin is necessary to reinforce the epidermis and its hydrolipidic barrier, which protects the skin by retaining moisture and protects it from bacterial and fungal infections.
Collagen production reduces by 1% annually when we reach the age of 20. Similarly, research has found that Hyaluronic Acid production decreases by 6% annually . This results in dehydrated skin, loss of elasticity in the skin, dullness and wrinkle formation - signs of cutaneous ageing.
Types of Hyaluronic Acid
There are 2 types of Hyaluronic Acids that provides different results.
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High molecular weight hyaluronic acid
Containing the largest molecular size, it acts on the skin’s surface by forming a translucent protective film. This Hyaluronic Acid does not penetrate the skin barrier, but rather allows water to be retained in the cells. This thoroughly hydrates skin and is the perfect solution to combat early signs of ageing and premature ageing.
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Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid
A micro-molecule that penetrate deep into the skin, this Hyaluronic Acid acts on the layers of the epidermis, boosting collagen production and plumping skin from within.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
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Hydrated skin = Happy, Healthy skin
With its ability to retain up to 1,000 times it weight in water, Hyaluronic Acid penetrates the skin and binds water to skin cells, injecting the skin with much needed hydration. Just as we need to drink 8 cups of water a day to stay hydrated, our skin needs hydration to stay healthy. Note: even oily skin needs hydration! Our skin has 2 liquids: oil and water. Oily skin suffers from excess oil from overproduction of sebum: however, the skin still needs water while recovering from oily skin treatments.
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Humectant
Humectants are like sponges: they continue to draw in and hold onto water from the environment. The nerdy explanation of how humectants work is by allowing hydrogen bonding and attracting water. This allows the skin to be hydrated and provide long-lasting hydration for the skin. Hyaluronic Acid is a popular humectant used in skin care as it can be easily absorbed by the skin!
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Lipid Barrier Enhancement
Our skin’s main function is to protect our bodies - not just our internal organs, muscles and bones, but our skin also protects the body from harmful toxins and pollutants that we are exposed to on a daily basis.
The top layer of the skin, the epidermis, suffers from the most pollution damage. As we age, the lipid barrier (Fatty acids that trap in water and prevents irritants from entering the skin) in the epidermis slows down. This causes even more damage to the epidermis and results in premature ageing, especially since we are exposed to harmful UV rays, environmental pollution, poor nutrition, bad lifestyle habits and more.
The good thing is that Hyaluronic Acid strengthens 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.
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Stronger Skin
Since Hyaluronic Acid strengthens the skin’s lipid barrier, the skin is better able to protect itself against environmental age-factors and pollutants. As a result, the skin no longer needs to fight against these toxins as much, your skin remains youthful looking for longer.
However, it is important to remember that acne-prone skin have weaker lipid barriers as acne-products offer contain harsh acids and ingredients to reduce oil on the skin. This can cause inflammation and irritation on the skin - which is what causes red, flaky and painful oily skin. Using products with Hyaluronic Acid helps protect the lipid barrier and is recommended for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
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Younger-looking Skin
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 (the bounceback) 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.
While Hyaluronic Acid is not going to replenish the skin’s elastin, it can tighten the skin by filling the skin layers with moisture. This helps to firm facial contours for a more youthful appearance. In addition, Hyaluronic Acid also smoothes the skin’s texture for a finer finish on the skin.
It’s never too early to start protecting and nourishing the skin for radiant and younger skin.
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Brighter, Radiant Skin
Hyaluronic Acid promotes skin cell regeneration by offering extra hydration and barrier protection to the skin. This leads to healthier cells and a more vibrant complexion as cell regeneration is crucial to eliminating dead skin cells for fresh, new cells to surface. This reduces and prevents age spots and pigmentation for brighter, radiant skin.
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Improve Oily Skin & Reduce Acne Outbreaks
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.
Our Favourite Products with Hyaluronic Acid
98 Intense Action Hydrating Serum
An extra-intensive moisture serum with a pleasantly soft gel texture, Maria Galland’s 98 Intense Action Hydrating Serum contains 2 key Hyaluronic Acid Complexes for long-lasting effects:
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Encapsulated Marine Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid Complex: provides the skin with a long-term supply of moisture
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Unencapsulated, Free Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid Complex: gives the skin an instant supply of moisture for a comfortable feeling of rejuvenation
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Vitamin A and E: anti-ageing antioxidants that shields the skin against oxidative stress and stimulates skin renewal
340 Lumin’Eclat Serum
The serum for dull, tired skin that is suffering from stress, environmental pollution and more.
Hyaluronic Acid is paired with a complex of 4 blossoms - Cowslip, Silk Tree, Violet and Eyebright, which are rich in flavonoids and polyphenols to relax and plump up the skin from within. It gives the skin a fresh appearance and minimises the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Vitamin E neutralises free radicals and protects against UV-induced stress. The silky-soft texture is absorbed by the skin perfectly and is ideal for all skin conditions for brighter, radiant skin.
Hyaluronic Acid seems like the magic ingredient to hydrating your skin, keeping it healthy and preventing premature ageing. Well, maybe it is! With our skin’s decreasing production of such a crucial polysaccharide, it is crucial that we maintain our skin’s integrity by applying it topically.
Prevention is always better than maintenance: keep your skin hydrated and youthful looking!