Though the word “acid” may sound scary in reference to something you put on your face, don’t worry, it doesn’t burn. Quite the opposite, it’s often considered the gold standard of hydration because the naturally occurring molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It’s a natural lubricating fluid in eyes, joints, connective tissue, and—you guessed it—skin.
It’s become an increasingly popular ingredient in serums and moisturizers for its superpower hydrating and anti-aging abilities.
So here’s all you should know about hyaluronic acid so you can learn more about it, what it does, and how it can help you!
The Truth About Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan is a sugar molecule called polysaccharide that is naturally occurring in our bodies. That’s right, it’s already in our skin! It acts as a cushioning agent for our joints, nerves, hair, skin, and eyes. Its primary function in the skin is that of a humectant. Humectants attract moisture from the air and lock it in our skin. Hyaluronic acid is unbelievably hydrating and can hold many litres of water, keeping our skin soft and plump.
Sodium Hyaluronate vs Hyaluronic Acid: how are these two different?
Although the terms “sodium hyaluronate” and “hyaluronic acid” are used interchangeably in the beauty industry, they’re a bit different. If you guessed this had something to do with salt, you’re right! Sodium hyaluronate is the salt of hyaluronic acid.
Sodium hyaluronate is a smaller molecule than hyaluronic acid, so it is more easily absorbed and penetrates more deeply into the layers of the skin – but it does the same job.
One ingredient isn’t necessarily better than the other. In fact, you can occasionally find skincare products that contain both forms for maximum benefits.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do?
- Hyaluronic acid provides lubrication to the connective tissues of our joints and skin and is an important part of our skin’s overall health.
- Hyaluronic acid is present in many areas of our body including our eyes, internal fluids, and connective tissue. Much of it is in our skin, which accounts for 50% of our body’s total hyaluronic acid level.
- Even though it occurs naturally in our bodies, hyaluronic acid is also a super popular skincare ingredient.
Does Hyaluronic Acid Serum really work?
Yes, it works indeed. Hyaluronic Acid is one of the few ingredients that has tons of scientific evidence for its action. Simply put, hyaluronic acid works as a magnet for moisture and helps our cells retain as much moisture as possible so our skin (and, you know, other important body parts) look, feel, and act hydrated, plump, and healthy.
As a moisture magnet, it has the ability to absorb up to 1,000 times its weight in water. One gram of hyaluronic acid can hold 1.5 gallons of water (approx 6 litres).
That’s a lot of liquid and luckily, HA also helps our cells regulate all that moisture so they don’t drown, feeding our body a steady stream of thirst-quenching goodness.
Hyaluronic Acid Serum: its benefits for skin
Hyaluronic Acid provides incredible moisture
- Hyaluronic acid’s main power move – and the reason it’s gained so much attention in skincare – is its amazing ability to deliver lasting moisture to the skin.
- It is a humectant, which means it grabs moisture and holds it so skin can absorb it.
- Its molecule is too large to penetrate the top layer of skin. So, it stays on our skin’s surface and gets to work grabbing and holding moisture so our skin can absorb it and stay healthy and hydrated.
Hyaluronic Acid helps slow down ageing of the skin
- Diminishes wrinkles – our skin loses its suppleness with age and starts to sag as a result of which fine lines and wrinkles become more apparent. Applying hyaluronic acid plumps up the skin to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
- Firms and tones – When skin is supple and hydrated, it plumps up to appear firmer, less saggy, and more toned.
- Restores skin’s moisture to temporarily turn back the clock and give our skin some oomph and youthful rejuvenation!
Hyaluronic Acid boosts skin’s health and protection
- Improves the protective barrier – by providing our skin’s outer layers from the environment with rich moisture, it actually strengthens your skin’s protective barrier to give you stronger, healthier skin.
- Supports healing – likewise, it supports our skin’s healing and repairing ability by giving skin-soothing moisture and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Antioxidant defense – it even gives our skin antioxidant defense to fight UV damage. This is important since free radicals can break down collagen and elastin to age our skin and to make wrinkles and sagging more apparent.
How often should I use Hyaluronic Acid Serum?
We're often asked: Can I use hyaluronic acid every day?
The word acid may give you jitters. But fret not, hyaluronic acid is extremely safe to use. Hyaluronic acid, when used topically in the form of a serum, can be used twice a day in your morning and night skin care routines. It is suited for all skin types. In case you have sensitive skin or rosacea, conduct a patch test before use.
How do you use Hyaluronic Acid Serum?
Hyaluronic acid is a great regimen booster for all skin types and can be used twice a day. The basic order to follow, no matter what skin type, is to:
- first cleanse your face thoroughly with a gentle cleanser
- follow with a hydrating toner and then apply the serum all over your face and neck while your face is still damp
- finish up with a good moisturizer
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid Serum for each skin type
Hyaluronic Acid for Oily/Combination Skin:
Using Hyaluronic Acid serum on oily or combination skin can help reduce the occurrence of breakouts and maintain a healthy moisture level of your skin. After cleansing and toning, apply the serum and you can choose to follow with your moisturiser or skip it. Finally, close with sunscreen (only during the day).
Hyaluronic Acid for Dry/Normal Skin:
Layering the serum with a moisturizer gets all the more important for your skin type. Moisturizers are formulated with emollients to help seal in hydration and deliver longer-lasting wear. Without that, the benefits of hydration are lost and your skin may actually look and feel drier throughout the day because all the hydration you put into it was not trapped with a moisturizer.
How does Hyaluronic Acid work for Oily and Acne prone skin?
Is Hyaluronic Acid good for oily skin?
Oily skin and acne concerns also benefit from a daily hyaluronic acid treatment. It helps keep the skin supple and reduce the prevalence of breakouts and blackheads. More importantly, hyaluronic acid is non-comedogenic, does not sensitize the skin, and it helps improve cystic acne and rosacea skin concerns by assisting with healing and repair.
Is Hyaluronic Acid good for acne?
If you’re someone who’s struggling with breakouts and using topical acne treatments, you know just how drying those can be. While Hyaluronic Acid doesn’t directly clear acne, it’s used in blemish-fighting formulas to draw moisture to the skin and improve dryness. When your skin is dry, it actually produces more oil to compensate – which may create more acne. So, yes, moisturizing is an important skincare step when dealing with acne and this is where Hyaluronic Acid comes in.
Is Hyaluronic Acid good for acne scars?
Used as an injectable filler, hyaluronic acid works very well as a treatment for acne scars. It produces an immediate, measurable improvement that can last for several months, helping people with acne scarring enjoy an improved appearance and increased confidence.
Used topically, it’s hard to say that hyaluronic acid works as a treatment for acne scars. While it might be an effective treatment on its own, there just isn’t enough scientific evidence to say this with any level of certainty.
It’s generally better to stick with proven, science-backed treatments if you’d like to get rid of your inflamed or cystic acne scarring.
What makes Vya Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum the best?
It’s the best Hyaluronic Acid Serum with Vitamin C
- Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid can be used together in your skin care routine. In fact, combining both ingredients will give better anti-aging results. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and hyaluronic acid is a hydrator-cum-anti aging ingredient. Using them separately may not lead to the same effective results.
- Vya Naturals Hyaluronic Acid serum comes with Vitamin C, Green Tea and Jojoba Oil. It resurfaces dull skin, sinks in easily and delivers an effective level of hydration diminishing dryness. It enhances the performance of other products by clearing the way for maximum absorption.
It’s the best face serum for dry skin and wrinkles
- Because of hyaluronic acid’s water-binding superpower, it plays a great role in helping with fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic Acid works by plumping up those skin cells, including the cells surrounding those fine line creases. More cell plumping = less visible wrinkles.
- The hyaluronic acid from Vya Naturals is a moisture binder, helps replenish and hold cell moisture, leading to hydrated, plump skin. It moisturizes skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, Replenishes cell moisture, speeds wound healing.
It’s a fragrance free hydrating serum
- Research has established that fragrance in skincare products is among the most common reasons that lead to skin sensitivity and other negative skin reactions. If you don’t have sensitive skin, using skincare products with added fragrance can sensitise it over time. Fragrance may improve the sensorial experience, but it can lead to several undesired effects on your skin and health.
- Vya Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum like all our other products is formulated without any fragrance and safe to use for all skin types.
Before we end
As we age, our skin’s natural content of hyaluronic acid drops dramatically. People between the ages of 19 and 47 have twice as much hyaluronic acid in their skin as those in their 50s and 60s. With time, that amount drops even further, making hyaluronic acid even more important, as it helps replace what skin loses with the passage of time. And now that you’re well versed with this magic ingredient, you know that whether you’re looking for ultra-hydration, diminishing those pesky fine lines, or boosting your skin’s health, hyaluronic acid has got your back!
DISCLAIMER:
Content of this website is not a substitution for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do NOT replace any relationship that exists, or should exist, between you and a medical doctor or other healthcare professional. Results given in testimonials/reviews are from real people who have used Vya Naturals products, but identical or similar results are not guaranteed. Individual results may vary depending on skin type, sensitivity, lifestyle, age, skincare products combinations, skincare history, as well as how the products are applied and stored.