Why is Hyaluronic Acid so Popular in Skincare Products?
Let's take a closer look at one popular skincare ingredient currently causing quite the buzz: hyaluronic acid. You’ll see why we couldn’t help but include it in our fragrance-free and unscented skin care products!
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance found in our bones, eyes, connective tissue, joints, and skin. Let's delve a little deeper into the science behind this hydrophilic (water-loving) molecule, how the external application of hyaluronic acid in cosmetics affects our skin, and how to ensure you're getting your HA from a good source.
The Science: Hyaluronic Acid in Your Body
You've probably seen, heard of, or even used products that contain hyaluronic acid (HA) — but did you know that this substance is found naturally all throughout the human body? HA belongs to the class of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the body, a group of carbohydrates (sugars) that perform varied and important functions.
This incredible substance is created daily inside your body, with fresh hyaluronic acid continuously replacing the old. Found in almost every cell in the human body, hyaluronic acid is unique in its ability to retain water. This makes it a crucial element in lubricating and moisturizing the tissues within your body.
The Products: Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare
Hyaluronic acid is used in a variety of different fields to support health, including reducing symptoms of dry eye when taken in eye drop form and relieving joint pain when taken orally. However, by far the most common and well-known use of hyaluronic acid is in the field of cosmetics and skincare. This is because hyaluronic acid, when applied externally, can truly work wonders on the skin:
- Diminishes fine lines and wrinkles
- Increases skin firmness and elasticity for tighter-looking skin
- Plumps skin for a more youthful appearance
How Does it Work?
Incredibly, one single molecule of hyaluronic acid can bind to 1,000 times its weight in water. Simply put, HA works to fight against the dehydration that makes our skin look wrinkled, dry, dull, and loose.
Hyaluronic acid's ability to bind water works on the collagen in your skin — which is the connective tissue "glue" that keeps your skin plump. By binding water to collagen,HA makes the skin look plumper, fills in fine lines, and increases overall skin moisture and hydration.
You might be wondering why an external source of hyaluronic acid would be necessary when it's produced internally and is already a part of the skin. As we age, our bodies stop producing adequate quantities of both collagen and hyaluronic acid.
In addition, external forces like sun damage, dry conditions, and extreme weather conditions can make our skin more susceptible to water loss — causing us to lose the hydration that keeps the skin looking and feeling its best. That's where a hyaluronic acid-containing moisturizer, cream, or serum comes to ensure you have well hydrated skin!
What do the Studies Say?
Hyaluronic acid's powerful positive effects on the skin have been backed up by several studies. For example, one study applied nano-hyaluronic acid to 33 women over the course of eight weeks. At the end of the study, the results were remarkable: the depth of wrinkles was reduced by up to 40%, the skin hydration was up 96%, and firmness and elasticity increased by up to 55%, that’s definitely some anti-aging power!
In another study, 76 women either used a hyaluronic acid-based cream around their eyes or a placebo product. By the end of the study, the results of HA versus the placebo showed "significant improvement" when it came to skin elasticity, skin hydration, and wrinkle reduction. Other studies have shown that creams with hyaluronic acid can make a big difference in improving dermatitis — those suffering from irritation prone skin. It's even been shown in studies to help decrease the appearance of stretch marks.
How to Choose the Best Hyaluronic Acid Skincare Products
Although hyaluronic acid is a great addition to your skincare routine, it's often combined with less-than-beneficial ingredients in cosmetics and skincare products. When you're searching for your ideal moisturizer or facial serum, make sure to check that the hyaluronic acid isn't competing with chemical additives that can actually further irritate the skin.
Avoid These Irritating Ingredients
- Fragrances. If you see "fragrance" listed as an ingredient in a product, it means that a chemical compound was used to create an artificial scent. This can cause serious irritation or even an allergic reaction in sensitive skin. As an alternative, seek out available fragrance free products.
- Phenoxyethanol. Used to preserve the smell of chemical fragrances, phenoxyethanol is a common ingredient in cosmetics and skincare and has actually been linked to eczema and allergic reactions when applied to the skin.
- Sulfates. Used as surfactants in skincare (substances that break down oils and fats), ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate have been known to cause irritation to the skin and are commonly found in cosmetics.
The Vital Care Mango Face Cream from Pure Non-Scents
At Pure Non-Scents, we create products that not only make use of the best and most powerful ingredients possible — but also avoid using harmful components like fragrances, sulfates, parabens, and phthalates that irritate the skin. This makes our products suitable for those with multiple chemical sensitivities. We believe in the power of unscented products free from fragrance chemicals and any of their nasty side effects.
Our Vital Care Mango Face Cream is infused with hyaluronic acid to support healthy skin. Partnering with other ingredients like argan oil (rich in vitamin E and omega fatty acids) and aloe barbadensis leaf (anti-inflammatory and moisturizing), the hyaluronic acid in our formulation can help decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and help your skin retain moisture. The result? A smoother, more youthful appearance.
It's our goal to offer skincare products that sort through the hype and actually deliver results — without all the harmful chemical additives found in most products. Want to learn more about our products and our process at Pure Non-Scents? Please feel free to contact us today.