The Hype Over Hyaluronic acid
Although it was first discovered in the 1930s and introduced as a cosmetic ingredient in the 70s hyaluronic acid (HA) is getting a lot of attention in skin and hair care these days.
It can be found in everything from serums, to masks, creams, lip products and even hair and scalp products but is it all its hyped up to be?
What is hyaluronic acid?
HA can absorb and retain moisture and is known as a humectant. It’s so good at binding water ¼ teaspoon can hold about a gallon and a half of water – impressive right?
HA is It’s a gooey, slippery substance found naturally in the body, mainly in the skin but also in the joints and eyes. It helps keep your joints moving smoothly, your eyes from feeling dry, and your skin soft, subtle, and able to heal. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and help reduce scarring.
It is used topically and injected for skincare, incorporated into drops for dry eyes, and can be taken as a supplement to help support the joints and skin.
HA is often obtained by fermentation and can also be obtained from animal sources.
Does hyaluronic acid work?
In a nutshell Yes! HA can be injected into joints to ease arthritis pain as well as used for other medical purposes. HA can be injected under the skin along with collagen to improve the shape and appearance of the face or body or add volume to lips.
Products containing HA often claim to increase skin hydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Consumers should take a closer look at the type of HA in the product.
HA comes in different molecular sizes and can be complexed or modified. Large molecular weight HA sits on the skin’s surface and forms a film that can hold and trap water at the surface. Smaller molecular weight HA can penetrate further into the skin to help bring hydration to deeper layers and some small molecular weight HA even stimulate the production of the skin’s natural HA.
For maximum benefit look for products that contain a variety of HA sizes. Topical HA will not give as dramatic results as injected HA but if you are looking to hydrate dry skin and create a more moisturized, dewy feel products with HA are a great choice.
Furthermore, HA is generally well tolerated, does not generally cause allergic reactions or irritation, and is safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Although hyaluronic acid is found in the skin and the term is used to describe the ingredient it is sodium hyaluronate or some variation of it is what you will generally see on the cosmetic label.
We include four types of HA in our Goat Milk Face Cream which means the product is working on the skin to create a protective layer and hold water on the surface of the skin as well as penetrate and hydrate deeper into the skin.
Yes HA is worth the hype – it can help support a dewy hydrated complexation and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s definitely an ingredient your skin will love.
References:
Harvard Health Publishing website, The hype on hyaluronic acid, accessed February 21, 2024: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-hype-on-hyaluronic-acid-2020012318653
Cleveland Clinic website, Hyaluronic Acid, accessed February 21, 2024: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22915-hyaluronic-acid
