Hyaluronic Acid: The Youth Molecule
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Moisture is essential for keeping cells plump and the skin barrier resilient—all the characteristics of healthy, glowing skin. The key component of skin moisture? Hyaluronic acid (HA), a molecule with the unique capacity to bind and retain up to 1000 times its weight in water.
HA is abundant in our skin when we’re young, but with age, the molecules are less plentiful and smaller, so they hold less water in the skin. So how can you get more hyaluronic acid into your skin to maximize and maintain a glowing, youthful appearance? Read on to learn everything you need about the glow molecule hyaluronic acid.
What is Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
A naturally occurring molecule found in the body, hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide (complex carbohydrate) with space-filling and lubricating functions. It acts like a sponge, attracting and retaining up to 1000 times its own weight in water, resulting in the hydration that gives skin its plumpness, resiliency, and pliability.
The predominant component of the extracellular matrix, hyaluronic acid is an essential partner to collagen and elastin, the two proteins responsible for keeping skin flexible and elastic.
In addition to providing hydrated skin, hyaluronic acid helps to protect against environmental damage, such as UV exposure and pollutants, while also helping skin repair itself, making hyaluronic acid a great defense against signs of aging.
- Hydration: Keeps skin plump and supple by binding water to skin cells.
- Support for collagen and elastin: Lubricates and cushions structural proteins to maintain firmness and elasticity.
- Protection: Shields against UV damage, pollution, and oxidative stress.
- Repair: Assists in cellular recovery to defend against visible signs of aging.
What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do For Your Skin?
Hydrates and Plumps
As a humectant, HA pulls water into the skin, delivering intense hydration that makes skin feel soft, plump, and bouncy.
Minimizes Fine Lines and Wrinkles
By infusing skin with moisture, HA gives a filling effect that smooths fine lines and enhances facial contours.
Strengthens Skin Structures
HA keeps collagen and elasstin fibers lubricated and elastic, helping maintain a firm toned appearance.
Supports Barrier Function
By replenishing lost moisture and reducing inflammation, HA helps build a more resilient skin barrier.
How To Use Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid works well for all skin, including sensitive, rosacea, or breakout-prone skin. It’s an excellent hydrator for an oily complexion as it delivers moisture without adding oil.
Hyaluronic acid is best applied to damp skin to take advantage of its humectant properties. It can be used both in the morning and at night as part of your regular skin care regimen, as it works well with other products.
Use a moisturizer on top of hyaluronic acid to lock in the moisture, especially if you live in a dry climate.
Recommended Products
FF3 Hydra Intensive HA is the perfect way to make HA a part of your daily skincare regimen. This ultimate quenching and plumping serum combines hyaluronic acid with specialized neuropeptides, signaling peptides, and DMAE to deliver intense multi-level hydration and extracellular matrix support. It’s enriched with powerful antioxidant compounds to protect the skin’s structural components from age-accelerating damage.
This high-potency serum combines hyaluronic acid, neuropeptides, DMAE with clinical mandelic acid to address visible signs of aging, uneven skin tone, dryness, and the look of skin laxity. Niacinamide and pseudoalteromonas ferment provide added hydration, brightening, and firming benefits.
Are There Other Ways To Take Advantage of Hyaluronic Acid’s Benefits?
You can support the body’s natural reservoir of hyaluronic acid by using peptide-based products in your daily skincare routine. Peptides are cell-signaling agents that tell your body to produce more of its natural store of hyaluronic acid.
Eating a diet rich in a diet rich in foods that stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid is another way to support your glow from the inside out.
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