Hyaluronic Acid: A Natural Resource for Skin Hydration and Healing

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is naturally produced by the body and is found in high concentrations in our skin, joints, and eyes. It acts as a lubricant and cushion.

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is the dominant molecule in skin moisture. It resides in the top layer of skin, the epidermis, when we are young, but is found in a deeper layer of the skin, the dermis, after the age of 25. HA is a complicated, chain-like molecule that binds 1000 times its volume in water. In fact, a quarter teaspoon of HA can hold about one and a half gallons of water! eKo’s Vitamin C Replenishing Serum contains HA to help improve overall skin health, flexibility, and elasticity, making skin more pliable and soft.

What are the Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid?

Hydration–HA delivers several benefits for skin. First and foremost, it is a natural type of polymer that carries water to the surface of the skin. HA reduces water loss between the skin layers which happens naturally as our skin ages. This transfer of water from the epidermis (top layer) to the dermis (deeper layer) may explain why older skin might sag and become wrinkled. HA applied to the skin in a serum slows that transfer of moisture, thus boosting skin elasticity and fighting against the creation of wrinkles.   

Improved moisture levels in the skin also help maintain a proper barrier against skin diseases. And of course, increased moisture in the epidermis fights the look of dry skin. 

Acne repair–HA also helps repair or conceal scars left by acne. The HA molecule acts like a scaffold structure, allowing healthy tissue to grow, improving skin health. HA in eKo’s Vitamin C Replenishing Serum can help brighten skin and reduce the appearance of acne scars. 

Counteract cell damage—Things like UV light, infrared and radiation exposure, air pollution, smoking, tanning beds, alcohol and drugs, stress, and poor diet can have a negative effect on skin health and lead to cell damage. The HA that occurs naturally in our skin can be degraded by these environmental factors, regardless of our age. Adding HA through a serum can counteract the HA loss and boost healthy skin cell growth. 

When is the best time to use Hyaluronic Acid?

Obviously, you want to use products containing HA, like eKo’s Vitamin C Replenishing Serum, when you want to improve the moisture level in your skin, which in turn will improve skin elasticity making it harder for wrinkles to form.

Our body’s natural HA sinks to the dermis layer of the skin, starting at age 25, so people who want to see fewer wrinkles should start using a serum containing HA by their mid-twenties. Mature users should use a serum containing HA daily to fight against the formation of new wrinkles and to create softer, more hydrated and pliable skin. 

And because the HA molecule has a short half-life once absorbed into the skin, it’s best to apply a serum containing HA daily after cleaning the face and before applying moisturizer and sunscreen.

Conclusion

Hyaluronic Acid, a naturally occurring molecule in our skin, is a major player in how hydrated and flexible our skin is. As we age, HA sinks to a lower skin level, causing skin to become dryer and less flexible, which can lead to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Using a serum that contains HA, like eKo’s Vitamin C Replenishing Serum, can help restock HA in the outer layer of the skin, thereby improving moisture levels and skin elasticity. HA is safe to use in serums, creams, and lotions.