Do you want fresh looking skin? If you’ve been trying to get fresh skin and it ends up looking oily, Hyaluronic Acid may be what you’ve been searching for!
To achieve a youthful and dewy look, it’s important to understand that a lack of hydration – water – is often an underlying problem. Humectants like Hyaluronic Acid, draw water to the skin’s surface, giving you a fresh and youthful complexion.
HOW DOES HYALURONIC ACID HYDRATE SKIN?
SKIN CELLS AND HYDRATION
Hyaluronic Acid increases the hydration of the skin’s surface by binding onto water molecules. This is what gives the skin a ‘dewy’ and fresh appearance.
The very outer layer of your skin, the Stratum Cornuem, consists of cells called *corneocytes. Corneocytes are in the Stratum Corneum, and they age as they move up towards the surface of the skin. As they reach the top of the epidermis, they flatten and slough off of the skin’s surface.
These corneocytes regulate how well the skin protects the body. Part of that protection, is to regulate the amount of skin hydration. Products formulated with Humectants like Hyaluronic Acid, helps keep those corneocytes from the evil effects of TEWLS; Trans-Epidermal Water Loss.
*Corneocytes can swell roughly 50% in height when fully hydrated22.
To test for dehydrated skin: Stand closely in front of a mirror. Very gently, place your finger along the bottom of your cheekbone - half-way between your nose and ear - and lift just a tiny bit. If you see micro-fine lines on the skin above your finger, the problem is usually dehydrated skin.
WHAT MAKES HYALURONIC ACID WORK?
Hyualuronic Acid contains something called Humectants. Humectants are hydrogen molecules that attract water and then form a hydrogen bond. The more hydrogen bonds these molecules can form, the better.
One of the most well known humectants on the market is Hyaluronic Acid. It contains one of the largest chains of hydrogen molecules of all the types of humectants – (C14H21NO11)n – so it can attract and bind a large number of water molecules. When a humectant like Hyaluronic Acid is added to a moisturizer, it brings needed water to the surface of the skin, making it look fresh and dewy. There are many types of humectants widely used in cosmetics, but for sheer, water-binding properties – without clogging oils – Hyaluronic Acid is at the top of the list.
CAUSES OF DEHYDRATION
There are several factors that can cause skin dehydration. An incorrect skin care regimen, an underlying health problem, genetics, or insufficient exfoliation of old cells. The biggest factor for many people however, is our environment. Air pollution, city tap-water, vapors from cleaning products, exposure to extreme weather, and toxic workplaces, are all serious factors that add to skin dehydration.
Luckily, all of these factors can be addressed by good skin care techniques and products. Hyaluronic Acid is one of the best products for improving, and maintaining, hydrated skin.
OTHER HYDRATION FACTORS TO CONSIDER
HYDRATION: HEALTH AND EXERCISE
Without doubt, skin beauty starts on the inside, so if you see a lack of surface hydration on your skin, part of the problem could be your overall health. Skin needs the right vitamins, quality sleep, and regular exercise to keep circulation at its peak. These important concepts have probably been crammed down your throat by every authority on the planet. So, I will simply say; they are right! Overhaul your diet and exercise regime if you want to make sure your skin looks its best.
HYDRATION: DRINKING WATER
The scientific research community continues to publish research that shows no conclusive evidence on the relationship between drinking water and skin hydration. Since there is so little research on the effects of hydration and skin health, what is the reality?
The best thing to do is to use your common sense.
When you are sick, what does the doctor say? Drink plenty of fluids!
When you run a race, what is the most important thing to replenish? Fluids with electrolytes!
When you get dehydrated, what is one of the first signs? A headache!
Your body is made up of 70% water. It then stands to reason, that the cells of the body NEED water to function properly. That includes the cells that make up the skin on your face. Water is part of every cell in your body. Make sure you have enough to allow those cells to function at their best! (Okay, now I’m thirsty)
START USING HYALURONIC ACID!
Your skin is extremely resilient, but severe climates, sun-exposure, harsh chemicals in your personal environment, age, beauty routine, and exercise, can all limit how well – or how poorly – these cells can maintain the proper hydration. Keep your skin looking great by adding one of the Hyaluronic Acid products below, to your beauty regimen, and follow these 5 Skin Care Must Do’s!
“…common skin care practices significantly influence the water binding materials in the upper SC[Stratum Corneum].”
Robinson, M., Visscher, M., Laruffa, A., & Wickett, R. (2010). Natural moisturizing factors (NMF) in the stratum corneum (SC). I. Effects of lipid extraction and soaking. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20211113
HYALURONIC ACID PRODUCTS THAT ADD TONS OF HYDRATION
Skin Obsession, is a very economical choice if you’re looking for a moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid. Their Oil Free Day Cream, and Oil Free Night Cream are both excellent for oily or combination skin types. They are rich and creamy, without being heavy. At a price point of just under $12.00, it’s an excellent deal!
Keep your dry skin extra moisturized, with the hydration of Hyaluronic Acid, with Farmacy: Honeymoom Glow. I love the texture, and the honey scent light and rich at the same time! Find it on their website, and at Sephora for $58. It has Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, which helps it to penetrate deeper into dry skin. An extra bonus is that it includes AHA to help remove the old surface cells This allows the product to work with the corneocytes for maximum hydration and repair.
I absolutely love WATER DRENCH Hyaluronic Cloud Cream, buy it for $52 direct from Peter Thomas Roth or Sephora. It owes it’s ability to keep skin hydrated to a 30% complex of Hyaluronic Acids. These complexes are made to layer the maximum amount of hydrogen bonding molecules on your skin, without a clogging feeling of oils and waxes. It has a fresh scent, and a lovely, creamy texture that feels like a layer of pure water on your skin… I use it right under my regular moisturizer to keep a long-lasting glow!
No part of my morming or night-time routine is complete, without the amazing scent, and luscious feel of, Fresh: Rose – Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask. $50 at Sephora or Fresh. I use it day and night! It is excellent for dry, oily, and combination skin. It has a wonderful scent of tea roses, and feels wonderful on dehydrated skin. Even with my oily complexion, I don’t get shiny patches with this product, just a dewy, all-over glow, that lasts for hours!
The jar is separated into two sides; one is a gel, and one is a cream. They work together, or you can use them separately to add hydration, depending on what your skin needs each day. For daytime use, I put the gel on directly after I wash my face, then I layer on my regular moisturizer; if the weather is extreme, I use both! At night, I use the gel, then the cream, to keep a layer of hydration on my skin while it regenerates during the sleep cycle.
IN CONCLUSION
There are many products rich in Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic Acid has a proven ability to capture and hold tons of moisture onto your skin. So, if you want hydrated and dewy looking skin, give it a try! You will love it as much as I do!
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