There’s a lot of controversy surrounding women and aging and the standards applied to aging women versus aging men. If you pick up a magazine, watch TV, or use the internet, it’s impossible to not see ads for anti-aging products promising to improve your skin.
From retinoids to vitamin C to moisturizers, there are many things women are encouraged to add to their skincare routine. One of these products is hyaluronic acid. Even if you aren’t concerned with aging, hyaluronic acid uses range from moisture retention to reducing the effects of UV exposure to protecting your skin from free radicals.
Read on to learn more about hyaluronic acid and why you should consider adding it to your daily skincare regimen.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is actually produced naturally in our bodies. It is made of a group of sugar molecules, known as polysaccharides. These molecules cushion and lubricate your skin, keeping it looking hydrated and glowy.
Over time, though, the amount of hyaluronic acid produced in our body begins to decrease. The natural aging process results in a decrease in hyaluronic acid, but environmental factors also impact it as well. Smoking, air pollution, and sun exposure all work to decrease the health of your skin.
Hyaluronic Acid Uses
When your skin loses its moisture, it looks dry and flaky, dull, and can also show signs of aging and sun damage. When your hyaluronic acid levels are high, your skin not only looks hydrated, it is also able to protect you from UV exposure, as the outer layer of your skin is intact, providing that barrier.
When the outer skin barrier is not intact, due to a lack of hydration, it can let in bacteria or lead to atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and acne. This is especially pronounced when you already have sensitive skin.
Hyaluronic acid also helps reduce the effects of aging, by bringing moisture to the dry or crepey-looking skin around your eye and by decreasing the depth of your wrinkles, as your skin becomes plumper due to being hydrated.
How to Use Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a hydrator, not a moisturizer, so you need to use it in addition to a moisturizer. The most likely way to incorporate it into your routine is in a hydrating serum. A hydrating serum brings moisture into your skin and then a moisturizer helps lock it into your skin.
Check out a skincare provider like GetGlowing Skincare for a hydrating serum that will work with your skin type and the other products you are already using.
Skin Hydration Has So Many Benefits
Healthy, hydrated, glowing skin looks better, feels better, and is better for you. When your skin is hydrated, you not only have fewer signs of aging, but you’re also helping to protect yourself from additional issues.
The many hyaluronic acid uses make this a holy grail product that people of any age can benefit from.
If you found this guide useful, be sure to check out more of our beauty and skin care guides before you go.