In the first two parts of this series, we learned about the vital role Hyaluronic Acid (HA) serves in maintaining skin hydration. We also learned that as we grow older, decreasing levels of HA play a major factor in the appearance of aged skin. In the final part of this series, we will comb through the science of Hyaluronic Acid in skincare products and how a Hyaluronic Acid Serum can significantly decrease fine lines and wrinkles and re-hydrate the skin so it feels smoother and more supple and looks younger and healthier.
<< Go Back to Part I: Hyaluronic Acid: The Miracle Moisturizer
<< Go Back to Part II: Why Dehydrated Skin Makes Us Look Older
Hyaluronic Acid in SKIN Care
Hyaluronic acid is most widely known as the active ingredient in many dermal fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm. When injected into the skin, Hyaluronic Acid acts as a volumizing substance that outlasts collagen injections. Hyaluronic Acid fillers diminish the signs of aging by filling in fine lines and wrinkles, plumping up areas with age related volume loss and adding attractive augmentation to lips.
Hyaluronic Acid is also a popular ingredient in high end skincare products, such as SKINNEY Medspa’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Water Molecule in a Bottle. Many serums, creams and makeup lines infuse their products with Hyaluronic acid as an active ingredient because HA provides moisturizing, anti-aging benefits.
sodium Hyaluronate
The Hyaluronic Acid found in dermal fillers is too big of a molecule to penetrate the skin when applied topically. This is why pure hyaluronic acid must be injected. For use in topical products, scientists developed sodium Hyaluronate, the water-soluble salt form of hyaluronic acid. Sodium Hyaluronate consists of a much smaller molecule which can penetrate into the deep layers of the skin, restoring hydration of both the dermis and epidermis. Because Sodium Hyaluronate is a scaled down version of Hyaluronic acid, the two names are comonly used interchangeably.
The Water Molecule
As we discovered in the previous part of this series, Hyaluronic acid is called the water molecule for a reason. As a natural humectant (an element that attracts and holds onto water) Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. The “water molecule” plays a vital role in keeping our skin youthfully hydrated. As we get older, hormonal changes inhibit the production of hyaluronic acid. As a consequence skin begins to lose its moisture. Restoring that water is essential to turning back the clock and diminishing the signs of aging.
The Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid Serums
Numerous scientific studies have shown the topical application of Hyaluronic Acid Serums and similar skincare products containing HA deliver statistically significant improvements in skin health and appearance.
Locks in Moisture
One of the skin’s most vital roles is the skin barrier function. The stratum corneum (the topmost layer of the skin,) creates a water proof barrier, also known as the lipid barrier, responsible for keeping precious water from evaporating through the skin. Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF) such as Hyaluronic acid, bind to water molecules and lock in moisture, playing a vital roles in maintaining the critical lipid barrier.
As we age, the production of NMF’s decreases and the lipid barrier breaks down, allowing precious water molecules to seep out of the stratum corneum in a process called Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL).
Hyaluronic acid serums can replace the NMF’s lost due to aging. Scientific studies show that skincare products containing Hyaluronic acid lock in moisture by forming a “film on the surface of the skin, which protects the stratum corneum” and “forms a protective layer which provides a barrier preventing transdermal water loss.”¹
Improve Skin Texture
The protective film created by topically applied HA also improves the texture of the skin. Hyaluronic acid nourishes dry and cracked skin with hydrating water molecules. According to researchers, skin care products with “Hyaluronic acid give immediate smoothness to rough surfaces.”¹ And studies measuring the effect of Hyaluronic acid products report “measurement of skin roughness showed a significantly finer skin structure (Ra) after two weeks of treatment.”²
Clinical examination shows “Hyaluronic Acid functions as humectant which means it draws water to the skin and increases the water content of the epidermis.”¹ When HA penetrates the skin, it begins to bind to water molecules, producing an immediate moisturizing effect. Numerous studies measuring the effect of hyaluronic acid serums and other skincare products containing HA concur with the results reported in the study “Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humans” that found “a statistically significant moisturizing effect was observed with hyaluronic acid” and skin treated with HA was “up to 96%” more hydrated than untreated skin.²
Plumps SKIN
Besides moisturizing and hydrating the skin, the binding of water molecules around hyaluronic acid produces a swelling effect. And this swelling has a significant impact on other signs of aging, such as skin laxity and skin turgidity (water retention that keeps our skin firm and supple.) By replenishing skin’s water retention, Hyaluronic acid plumps up the skin, improving the appearance of age related volume loss.
Improves the appearance of fine lines and WRINKLES
To visualize the effect of hyaluronic acid on wrinkled skin, consider the difference between a grape and a raisin. Restoring water plumps up the skin, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. Various studies measuring the effects of topical Hyaluronic acid on the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles report significant improvement. For example, “Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humans,” reports Hyaluronic acid “decreases the depth of wrinkles (up to 40%)”³ and another study, the “Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment” reported “HA was associated with significant reduction of wrinkle depth.”⁴
Safe on All Skin Types*
Besides being incredibly effective, hyaluronic acid serums and similar skincare products containing HA offer additional benefits for people with sensitive skin types. Hyaluronic acid doesn’t feel greasy like other moisturizing products that lubricate the skin with oil based ingredients. This means Hyaluronic acid is ideal for individuals suffering from acne. In addition, researchers explain “HA has no species specificity and theoretically does not pose any risk of allergy.”¹
The Best Moisturizer: Water Molecule in a Bottle from the Medspa in a Bottle skincare line.
Hyaluronic acid is a vital component of skin health and a huge influence on skin appearance. Replenish the loss of Hyaluronic acid and restore beautiful, youthful looking skin with Water Molecule in a Bottle.
Learn more about Water Molecule in a Bottle >>
Sources:
¹ “Significance of hyaluronic acid in cosmetic industry and aesthetic medicine”
²-³ “Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humans”
