Hyaluronic Acid: What Is It, and Why Do I Need It?

As we age, our skin produces less and less hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is responsible for giving skin its plump, hydrated appearance. Without it, skin can appear dry, dull, and wrinkled. Thanks to its ability to hold 1000x its weight in water, though, hyaluronic acid is a powerful tool in the fight against aging skin. But what exactly does hyaluronic acid do? Here's everything you need to know about this amazing compound.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the body, and its main function is to keep the skin hydrated and plump.

Hyaluronic acid (HA occasionally) is a total game changer for hydrated, glowing skin. If you are into skincare, you've likely heard of it. If not, maybe not, but read on for enlightenment. :) HA is a substance is a natural substance found in the body and can make all the difference when it comes to skin elasticity, skin aging, and skin moisture. Think "your skin surrounded by water."

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful hydration agent which helps draw moisture into your skin and form a barrier that locks hydration in throughout the day. It can help reduce dark spots and pigmentation. It works wonders for maintaining a youthful, plump complexion - this is one beauty habit you simply can't do without! Your skincare routine likely needs it. And hyaluronic acid is great for ALL skin types.

 

Does hyaluronic acid only affect the skin? In addition to treating skin conditions, HA contributes to joint health, eye health, and wound healing. You can even find hyaluronic acid eye drops, as many people use it to relieve dry eye symptoms. It has been used to treat bladder pain and asthma. Now there is a multi-functional ingredient!

Is it hyaluronic acid? Is it sodium hyaluronate? What should the ingredient list say for my hyaluronic acid serum?

On many ingredient lists, you will see sodium hyaluronate instead of hyaluronic acid. Sodium hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It has a smaller molecule so it can penetrate deeper layers of the skin. It is also more water soluble and has better oxidation resistance. When it comes to skincare, oxidation is a no-no, so you'll see this listed more often than not. Other than penetrating different depths of the skin, they have the same benefits so we use them interchangeably.

How does it work and why is it useful for the skin barrier?

Hyaluronic acid is part of a long chain of molecules called a polymer. On this molecule chain, other ingredients can latch on and be transported around the body. Including water molecules. A quarter teaspoon of hyaluronic acid can hold up to a gallon and a half of water. Hyaluronic acid sounds like the ultimate commuter shuttle for a key molecule in the body! HA works by binding to water molecules on the surface of the skin, forming a protective barrier to lock in moisture and prevent evaporation. This helps maintain an optimal level of hydration throughout the day, promoting a healthy complexion - and dare we say, dewy? smooth? Yes, yes, we do say that!

Hyaluronic acid comes in various sizes, also known as "molecular weight" and these affect how it can penetrate the skin. It also impacts whether the product is treating the surface level of skin cells or deeper layers. Many products can address hydration at different depths but some may only target the top layer. Higher molecular weight sizes are ideal for top-level hydration in the upper layers of the skin, while low molecular weight penetrates deeper into the skin's surface. It is ideal to have a combination but both are effective at retaining moisture and improving skin hydration so don't worry too much if you can't find one with lower molecular weights, as it is important to just start somewhere.

Where can we find Hyaluronic Acid?

HA is naturally occurring and it can also be made synthetically. You can find it in many different forms ranging from food, vitamins, and also skincare products, of course! At your local Credo or Sephora, you can probably find 50 hyaluronic acid serums (not every hyaluronic acid product is created equal, read on to learn more). You can even get hyaluronic acid injections or hyaluronic acid supplements. You can find products that are applied topically and others that are ingested. There are. So. Many. Options.

You can find hyaluronic acid in many food sources, including kale, citrus fruits, almonds, soy products, and sweet potatoes. So, for starters, if you can consume more foods containing hyaluronic acid, you are off to a great start. Think an orange, kale, almond and sweet potato salad!  Sounds pretty delicious actually...

If you can find a vitamin form of HA, great! It's pretty hard to overload on HA. Our body produces it naturally so allergic reactions are rare as well.

When it comes to topical products, hyaluronic acid can be derived from natural sources as well as synthetic ones. Unfortunately, not all hyaluronic acid ingredients are sustainably sourced. They may even be derived from animal sources, which is not our thing at Honua. That's why we custom blend our hyaluronic acid with clean ingredients and safe synthetic sources – this way we can guarantee that all of the HA we use meets our strict ingredient requirements. It also means we may have delays occasionally as we can't just run out and buy it from a variety of suppliers - it has to be our custom blend. We're committed to ensuring the hydrating, plumping benefits of hyaluronic acid come from the best sources possible!

What are the effects of hyaluronic acid?

Using topical hyaluronic acid products can help to replenish levels in the skin barrier and improve its appearance.

If you're looking for younger, healthier-looking skin, hyaluronic acid is your friend! This powerful anti-aging ingredient can help you achieve youthful, dewy, bouncy, and soft skin. When topically applied to the face, it can work its magic by penetrating deep into the skin and actively replenishing lost levels of natural hyaluronic acid. By increasing this critical moisture-locking ingredient in the skin, topical products with hyaluronic acid are invaluable in helping to minimize dry skin and fine lines while keeping skin youthful. It's not only a great way to get age-defying results but also to help keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.

Dry skin? Add a hyaluronic acid serum (or two) to your routine and you'll start to see benefits almost instantly. It is also great for all skin types, even sensitive skin.

You can easily work a simple hyaluronic acid serum into your skin care routine. They are also available at all price points and you can find some that combine hyaluronic acid with other potent antioxidants or moisturizers.

There are many different ways to get hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine, including serums, creams, gels, and masks.

Apart from regular cleansing and moisturizing, hyaluronic acid is an effective ingredient to integrate into your skincare routine for balanced and hydrated skin. It can come in various forms such as serums, hydrating creams, gels, and hydrating masks that all help to give you a boost of hydration. With HA, you can replenish moisture levels in the dermis layer of your skin to keep it at its best and improve its natural protective barrier.

When it comes to products, Honua's Hibiscus Beauty Booster is a great addition to your skincare routine.

The Hibiscus Beauty Booster is the complete package when it comes to adding a powerful serum to your skincare routine. The key ingredients - hyaluronic acid, hibiscus, and astaxanthin - work together synergistically to deliver essential hydration and antioxidant benefits that turn a single drop into a powerhouse for skin.  In addition to hydration benefits, it can help protect skin from environmental aggressors, so skin appears healthier, fresher, and more youthful. Overall, Honua Hibiscus Beauty Booster helps create an optimal balance between hydration and antioxidant protection, making it an excellent choice for maintaining a radiant complexion with anti-aging benefits.

As we can see, hyaluronic acid has many benefits for skin health. Not only does it help to keep the skin hydrated and soft, but it also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. And, when added to a skincare routine, it can help to restore moisture levels and give skin an overall healthier look. One great option is Honua's Hibiscus Beauty Booster, which contains hyaluronic acid as a primary ingredient along with hibiscus extract and astaxanthin. There are many other ways to get HA into your life - through foods, vitamins, or topical products. 

If you’re looking for an effective way to keep your skin well-hydrated and fight against signs of aging, incorporating hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine is a no-brainer. Just remember that while it’s important to choose products with this key ingredient, you should also make sure that the product is suitable for your skin type and contains other beneficial ingredients such as natural oils and antioxidants. With regular use, you can experience significant improvements in both short-term hydration levels and long-term anti-aging benefits.  Oh, and if you have any doubts or concerns about adverse effects, please check with your healthcare provider. :). We are skin experts but we aren't doctors over here.

Does hyaluronic acid have a place in your life or skincare routine? Share your experience here!