Hyaluronic acid has gotten a lot of attention recently in the skincare world and for good reason! It is a powerhouse ingredient commonly known for its anti-aging [1] benefits but is also capable of so much more. Naturally found in the body, hyaluronic acid is a major component of connective tissue within your skin, cartilage, joints, and eyes. Its primary function is to lubricate joints but it also helps support the structure of the skin by filling the space between collagen and elastin fibers, delivering nutrients, hydrating the skin, and acting as a cushioning agent. This nutrient can even be taken as a supplement to help relieve joint pain or as eye drops to hydrate dry eyes but for our purposes, we will focus on hyaluronic acid in skin care. Kelly Viavattine, our very own celebrity esthetician and Kate Somerville Skin Health Expert, tells her clients this ingredient is a MUST HAVE in their skincare routine.
Hyaluronic Acid Benefits
If hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in our bodies, why do we need it in our skincare routines through a moisturizer or serum? Unfortunately, the naturally occurring levels of hyaluronic acid decrease as we age, hitting particularly hard after the age of 40. This reduction in hyaluronic acid leads to a loss of skin structure and volume, resulting in fine line and wrinkles. Though you will never fully restore the original levels of hyaluronic acid you were born with, applying it topically helps replenish your skin in two major ways that are closely connected.
First, hyaluronic acid has a unique capacity to retain water and help regulate your skin’s moisture levels [2]. This helps to keep your skin balanced and hydrated, no matter your skin type. Secondly, hyaluronic acid works to improve skin elasticity [3] and slow the appearance of aging. Signs of aging are reduced primarily as a result of increased moisture in the skin. As fullness and volume are restored to the skin, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles are reduced or become diminished. According to Kelly, this product holds 1000x its weight in water.
Hyaluronic acid is also a popular ingredient for dermal fillers. The temporary injection typically has effects lasting six months to one year and results in a smooth feeling of the skin.
Choosing a Product
Given the desirable benefits of hyaluronic acid, it’s no wonder that it has been added to a variety of anti-aging skin care products. Everything from hyaluronic acid serum to moisturizers is available for use in your skincare routine. But not all products containing hyaluronic acid are created equal. Make sure you look for anti-aging products that are independently verified to ensure you are getting the best and most effective treatment possible. At Kate Somerville, our Wrinkle Warrior® products boast a hyaluronic acid solution that utilizes molecules of three different sizes to penetrate the various levels of the skin to deliver optimal results. Independent clinical studies have found that 100% of those who use our moisturizer and hydrating serum products experience significant improvement in skin hydration and elasticity.
If you are considering hyaluronic acid as an injectable treatment, know that it is considered to be a medical treatment and should only be performed by a certified and trained doctor. By replenishing the moisture in your skin, the ingredient helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, giving you a radiant and younger-looking skin. The best part? According to Kelly, you can use it twice a day, every day. Simply apply your hyaluronic acid and then your moisturizer! Plum and hydrated skin awaits.
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