Despite the ‘acid’ part of its name sounding slightly daunting, hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring sugar (known as polysaccharide) found in your skin – more specifically, in your body’s connective tissue. It’s a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin to attract and retain water molecules, which is why it’s such an integral cog in our skin’s self-moisturizing mechanism. It can actually retain around 1,000 times its own weight in water. It is also especially advantageous for anyone looking to improve overall dermal elasticity.
As we age, a lot of the substances that our bodies produce begin to decline in quantity. Hyaluronic acid is unfortunately one of them, and it’s one of the main reasons why our skin looks so radiant and plump when we’re young. Fun fact: your skin contains approximately 50% of the hyaluronic acid found in your body, which makes hyaluronic acid’s decline all the more noticeable the older we get.
One of two types of hyaluronic acid are typically used in skincare products and these are: plant-based or animal-derived. Plant-based hyaluronic acid is predominantly used in skincare products (especially with regards to vegan, natural and organic brands), while animal-derived hyaluronic acid is more commonly used in dermal fillers and supplements, though this isn’t always the case. This is why, if you want to opt for the cruelty free route, it’s always wise to check the packaging or contact the brand if in doubt of your acid’s origins.
One particular benefit of hyaluronic acid is that it’s said to be able to help fortify the barrier of our skin’s outer layers. It’s also reported to further shield our skin from harm affiliated with free radicals by releasing various antioxidants. This has a very calming effect on the skin which, in addition to its moisturizing qualities, renders hyaluronic acid invaluable, not just to mature skin but all skin types.
If you’d like to discover more about free radicals and antioxidants, check out our related post to see how they impact our skin: What Are Antioxidants?