10 BENEFITS OF HYALURONIC ACID

The molecules of hyaluronic acid (HA) attract and retain water more than 1000 times their own weight. It is considered one of the most powerful moisturisers out there.

 Because of its high water-loving properties, this magic ingredient is also called the “molecular sponge”. It doesn’t irritate even the most sensitive skin when used moderately and is suitable for all skin types.

HA is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG), which means that it’s a naturally occurring substance in the skin that helps keeping it plump, soft, supple and vital.

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the deep skin layers and is a crucial component for the skin’s hydration, tissue regeneration and wound healing.

 Topical treatments, at home or in a professional salon, are said to be soothing redness and dermatitis, while injections can make skin appear firmer.

As we gracefully age, the production of key substances in the skin, including HA (along with collagen and elastin) decreases. As a result, our skin loses volume, hydration, and plumpness. It also increases fine lines as well as wrinkles.

Suppose a baby has an HA level of 100, one in her sixties may have a level of around 25. A bit shocking, but not really, right?

 Sun can also reduce the amount of hyaluronic acid produced by the skin cells and speed up its degradation.

 So all in all, our skin tends to accumulate sensitivity over time and it is vital we take kind care of it, especially if we enjoy a good sunbed wind-down somewhere near the Caribbian.

Topical HA has many positive attributes:

• It is generally well tolerated and works great for skin with pigmentation.
• HA retains & seals the moisture delivered to the area.
• Encourages proper balance of lipids.
• It does not frequently cause allergic reactions or irritate sensitive skin which is wonderful for us older ladies.
• M O I S T U R I S E S – vital for a lady over 50!
• It is safe to use on the skin during pregnancy and while breastfeeding which gives us a clear understanding of how safe it is, right?

For our dear ladies with dry skin or for those who prefer a more dewy look to their skin during the cooler months, a serum or moisturizer containing HA can be a great choice.

Many skincare and beauty products containing HA claim to increase hydration within the skin. Creams, cleansers, micellar waters, sheet masks, serums, you name it! But is this true?

As the Harvard Health Publishing indicates, the answer requires a closer look at the type of HA in the product. HA comes in different molecular sizes.

Larger HA molecules, despite being the best at binding water and offering hydration, cannot penetrate into the skin. When applied topically (to the skin), these molecules sit on top of the skin, offering hydration only at the very surface.

Smaller HA molecules, on the other hand, which bind less water than larger HA molecules, are capable of penetrating deeper into the skin (though only into the epidermis, the topmost layer of skin).

 A handy tip: for maximum surface hydration, look for a product that contains HA molecules in a variety of sizes.

Low molecular weight HA penetrates in the deeper skin layers to improve its biomechanical properties.

An in-vitro study shows that hyaluronic acid stimulates collagen type 1 synthesis in the skin by 21%, as a result, it helps to increase skin’s firmness.

The moisture-binding property of hyaluronic acid helps to retain the proper balance of lipids, humectants, and proteins required for healthy-looking brows and lashes.

Hyaluronic acid allows the hair fibers to retain and seal the moisture delivered through our LashCare+or BrowCare+serum.

Additionally, helping seal the cuticle, which prevents unwanted moisture from entering it, leading to smooth, luscious and plumped looking lashes and brows.

According to various studies conducted from 1997 to 2008, approximately 1 out of 7 older adults suffer from symptoms of dry eye due to reduced tear production or tears evaporating too quickly.

Since HA is excellent at retaining moisture, it’s often used to treat dry eye.

Eye drops containing 0.2–0.4% hyaluronic acid have been shown to reduce dry eye symptoms and improve eye health. Whereas contact lenses that contain slow-release HA are also being developed as a possible treatment for dry eye.

In addition, hyaluronic acid eye drops are frequently used during eye surgery to reduce inflammation and speed wound healing!

While applying them directly to the eyes has been shown to reduce dry eye symptoms and improve overall eye health, it is unclear whether oral supplements have the same effects.

 To date, no studies have examined the effects of hyaluronic acid supplements on dry eye, but it may be a future area of research, we shall see!

Hyaluronic acid is completely natural and vegan!

Usually, hyaluronic acid that is used in a wide range of skincare products, is produced using biotechnologies – it is obtained through a biotechnological process, using lactic bacteria, wheat, and glucose.

 Yet not all products with HA are vegan, always make sure to double-check if it’s important to you!

In clinical study creams containing low molecular weight hyaluronic acid showed a significant reduction of wrinkle depth, which is one of the skin-penetration abilities of low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid.

A study in 2014 involved women applying HA topically, twice daily, for 8 weeks. The study reported up to a 40% decrease in the depth of wrinkles and an up to 55% increase in skin firmness and elasticity compared with participants who did not apply the HA.

All in all, it’s a wonderful ingredient when used right!

That is exactly why Hyaluronic Acid can be found in both LashCare+ Eyelash Serum and BrowCare+ Eyebrow Serum. 

And we want to let you in on a little secret...there is something new coming up in our production line where Hyaluronic Acid will play a major role. We will keep you posted! :)