Hyaluronic acid has become a hot topic in the skincare world in recent years. The ingredient boasts health claims such as intense moisturization, reduction of fine lines, and plumping of the skin. Where do these health claims come from, and how beneficial is hyaluronic acid actually?
Health Claims
Some sources claim that hyaluronic acid can improve skin’s firmness by over 50%, and increase skin’s moisture by 96% in just two weeks of use.
Further, the ultra-moisturizing ingredient may help to restore the skin’s natural protective barrier, helping to encourage healing and prevent further dryness or skin damage due to daily stressors.
This protective layer is called the lipid barrier, which is in charge of protecting your body from toxins that may enter through your skin. This layer slows down in efficacy as we age, a process that might be responsible for increased vulnerability to UV rays, pollution, and lifestyle damage.
How does it Work?
The natural form of the acid is actually present in the skin already and possesses a PH level that complements the skin’s natural acidity (between 4.5-6.2, while hyaluronic acid products are around 5-8), this makes it very gentle.
The acid’s effects may be due to its incredible capacity for retaining water. The molecule can retain over 1,000 times its own weight in water -- making it an excellent tool for doing the same thing on the surface of your skin.
The acid acts as a humectant. This means that after delivering an initial dose of moisture to your skin, it will continue to draw in water from the atmosphere around you, lending a lasting dose of hydration to your skin long after the application.
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