If you’re a skincare junkie like us, you’ve probably heard of the two words that are generating plenty of buzz lately — hyaluronic acid.
And it’s not surprising.
Considered the holy grail for skin by both skincare enthusiasts and dermatologists alike, hyaluronic acid does wonders for your skin.
From serums to sheet masks to moisturizers, hyaluronic acid has found its way to every major skincare product, thanks to its amazing hydration ability.
Interestingly, hyaluronic acid does so much more than just hydrate your skin.
Let’s talk about why a hyaluronic serum is an absolutely essential part of your skincare regimen.
It provides incredible hydration
The biggest reason behind hyaluronic acid’s rapid rise to fame is its ability to improve your skin’s hydration levels.
Technically, hyaluronic acid is a humectant. This is another way of saying it draws water to your skin (and helps it retain that water).
When you apply a hyaluronic serum to your face, it pulls moisture from the deeper layers of your skin to the top layer, which is called the epidermis.
And if you live in a humid area, it can also pull moisture from the environment to your skin.
Applying hyaluronic acid products also helps reduce transepidermal water loss. Meaning it helps your skin retain water, which would otherwise evaporate in the air.
Plus, hyaluronic acid doesn’t clog up your skin pores, something that many moisturizers do.
Clogged up skin pores can trigger acne, so if you have acne-prone skin, hyaluronic acid is probably the best moisturizer for you.
To learn more about some of the best hyaluronic acid serums, click here.
Note: Just because you have oily skin doesn’t mean it’s hydrated. You still require a non-clogging hydrating serum. When dehydrated, your skin overcompensates by producing excess oil. So if your skin is super oily and acne-prone, it needs even more hyaluronic acid.
It speeds up wound healing
Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in your skin. When there is any damage to the skin — like blemishes, sun spots, and cuts — the concentration of hyaluronic acid increases.
By reducing inflammation and prompting your body to generate more blood vessels in the damaged area, hyaluronic acid helps skin damage heal faster
Plus, studies show that applying hyaluronic acid to wounded skin can help diminish the size of wounds and alleviate pain. Hyaluronic acid also has antibacterial properties. Meaning that it can reduce the risk of skin infections from open wounds.
It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Perhaps the biggest reason why hyaluronic acid has taken the skincare industry by storm is that it slows down the aging process.
If your skin is plump and well-hydrated, it won’t be able to form wrinkles.
And even if fine lines do occur, they’ll take a lot longer to form.
Because of its incredible ability to draw moisture to your skin and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyaluronic acid is an excellent addition to any anti-aging regimen.
It soothes hypersensitive skin
Hyaluronic acid is basically a glycosaminoglycan (GAG). GAGs are an essential component of your skin tissue, keeping it youthful, bouncy, supple, and wrinkle-free.
They ensure nutrients are distributed evenly throughout your skin layers and maintain optimal collagen and elastin levels. Furthermore, they ensure all your skin layers are adequately hydrated for a beautiful, healthy glow.
Since collagen and elastin provide structural integrity to the skin, hyaluronic acid works to strengthen this natural barrier.
And that makes it excellent at soothing irritated skin prone to redness and dryness.
The hydrating effects of hyaluronic acid also contribute to this benefit.
It diminishes the appearance of large pores
One of the biggest culprits behind rough, uneven skin texture with visible pores is lack of hydration. Even moderate levels of dehydration can wreak havoc on your skin.
In addition to appearing less full, your textured imperfections will appear super prominent.
When your skin is well-hydrated, it appears healthy, supple, and plump. Hydration also serves to blur skin pores, making them less prominent.
Here are some more tips to minimize the appearance of large pores.
It provides a natural, protective antioxidant effect
Your skin is at high risk of getting damaged by UV rays and environmental stressors, especially if your job requires you to stay in the sun. And using a topical antioxidant can be helpful for reversing sun damage.
Hyaluronic acid — an incredible antioxidant — protects your skin from sun damage by providing extra support for the collagen and elastin that usually get in the crosshairs of sun rays.
When pollution and UV light hit the skin, they lead to the production of free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that damage body cells.
Antioxidants like hyaluronic acid neutralize free radicals, preventing damage to skin cells.
This is another way hyaluronic acid saves your skin from sun damage.