For super dewy, hydrated skin, there’s really only one ingredient you need to know about: hyaluronic acid. Found in almost every beauty category and skincare product on the market—including cleansers, hyaluronic acid serums, plumping treatments, moisturisers, lotions and now, even ingestibles—adding hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine is the simplest way to fast-track your skin’s hydration.
It’s also an ingredient that seemingly everyone is talking about including beauty bloggers, skincare fanatics as well as dermatologists and dermatology experts alike! But what does it actually do? And more importantly, how can you integrate this powerhouse ingredient into your daily inner and outer beauty routine? Hint: sipping on The Beauty Chef’s HYDRATION Inner Beauty Boost can help.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
While you may be familiar with hyaluronic acid as a skincare ingredient, what you might not know is that hyaluronic acid is also naturally produced by our bodies and is a super hydrating molecule (a polysaccharide to be precise) that ensures our connective tissues retain moisture—as well as providing our skin with structure, hydration and bounce. In fact, research shows that as much as half of our body’s hyaluronic acid is found in our skin and it also has the ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water which means it acts as a super effective humectant (helping your skin to retain water and keep the skin healthy and hydrated), reducing the effects of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by helping to slow the rate at which our skin releases water.
Trouble is, just as our ability to produce collagen and elastin declines with age—the same goes for hyaluronic acid. Lifestyle and environmental triggers such as over-exposure to UV rays, pollution can also contribute to declining levels of hyaluronic acid and premature ageing which is why incorporating it into your daily routine can have profound benefits.
Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid
You may have deduced that the key benefit of hyaluronic acid is hydration, but similarly to antioxidants, there are a number of ways that this superstar ingredient can help to keep our skin healthy, hydrated and glowing!
Combats dryness
Drinking fresh filtered water daily is of course vital to keep our cells healthy and hydrated—both inside and out—but did you know that topical application of hyaluronic acid can also help to ameliorate symptoms of dry skin? By binding to water molecules in the skin, hyaluronic acid helps to fortify our natural skin barrier and locks in moisture, for a juicy, hydrated and glowing complexion! There is also research to show that ingesting hyaluronic acid can also be of great benefit for those suffering from dryness—with a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study illustrating that ingested HA improved skin moisture levels and also contributes to the increased synthesis of hyaluronic acid, promoting cell proliferation in fibroblasts (the cell type found in our connective tissues).
It improves fine lines and the appearance of wrinkles
One of the key symptoms of ageing and premature ageing is the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles—as well as a dull or dry complexion—as out skin’s natural moisture levels decrease. While this is normal and to some extent, unavoidable, hyaluronic acid can help by creating a plumper complexion with its ability to draw water to the skin’s surface. It also improves skin structure, increasing skin elasticity and firmness—which are both key factors for younger-looking skin. What’s so great about it too is that unlike dermal fillers or injectables, hyaluronic acid is non-invasive whilst still being a great way to help improve the appearance of skin aging.
It supports wound healing
Some of the most promising research in regards to hyaluronic acid is its ability to combat inflammation and help the skin to heal and repair at a quicker rate. Boasting natural antibacterial properties, HA also encourages cell renewal and regeneration—accelerating wound healing for a smoother, more even complexion.
It’s suitable for all skin types
One of the great appeals of hyaluronic acid is that there are virtually zero side effects and it can literally be used by all skin types—dry, sensitive, oily or acne-prone, as well as young and mature skins. And whether applied topically or taken internally as part of your inner beauty routine, it’s like a tall drink of water for parched skin.
How To Use Hyaluronic Acid
There are two clear ways to incorporate HA into your skincare routine—topically and internally. When used topically, the key is to look for a high molecular weight and find a formula that can be easily absorbed and utlised by the skin—usually found in serums which, when applied to damp skin, effectively lock in moisture.
The second way to reap the benefits of HA is to add an ingestible supplement that contains this skin-loving ingredient to your inner beauty routine. The Beauty Chef’s recently reformulated HYDRATION Inner Beauty Boost, for example, is a super tasty coconut-flavoured elixir that now contains ingestible hyaluronic acid for even greater results when consumed with water or your favourite drink. And with studies showing that ingesting hyaluronic acid can improve skin hydration, reduce wrinkles, improve elasticity and skin roughness, sipping on HA can be a super simple way to nourish your skin from within.
