What Is Hyaluronic Acid and How Does It Protect Your Skin?

December 31, 2023

Hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular ingredients in Korean skincare, and for good reason. This naturally occurring substance has wonderful benefits for your skin and works to keep it moisturized and healthy. Seoul Mamas discusses hyaluronic acid and how it protects your skin.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body, predominantly found in the skin, eyes, and connective tissue. It functions to retain water to keep tissues well-lubricated and moist. It’s often used in beauty products like creams and serums due to its ability to hydrate skin and reduce wrinkles.

How Does Hyaluronic Acid Protect Your Skin?

Hyaluronic acid is known for its ability to keep your skin hydrated and plump. It protects your skin by retaining moisture, repairing the skin’s barrier, reducing inflammation, and preventing microbial growth.

1. Moisture Retention: It has an exceptional ability to retain water. It can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water. This aids in hydrating the skin and keeping it moist, thus reducing the appearance of fine lines and making the skin look smoother.

2. Repairs Skin Barrier: By keeping your skin well-hydrated, hyaluronic acid helps to strengthen your skin’s protective barrier.

3. Anti-inflammatory: It has anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce redness and dermatitis. It is often used in products designed to soothe skin, as it helps to reduce inflammation and discomfort.

4. Prevents Microbial Growth: Hyaluronic acid also offers antimicrobial properties, so it can help protect your skin against harmful bacteria and infections.

5. Antioxidant Properties: It fights against skin-damaging agents such as pollution and UV rays, reducing oxidative damage and preventing premature aging.

How Does Hyaluronic Acid Help Your Body?

Hyaluronic acid also offers several health benefits:

1. Joint Lubrication: It is found in high concentrations in your joints, where it keeps the space between your bones well lubricated, reducing friction and making movements smoother.

2. Healing Wounds: It regulates inflammation levels and signals the body to build more blood vessels in the damaged area. This can help wounds heal faster and minimize scarring.

3. Dry Eye Relief: As a common ingredient in eye drops, it can relieve dry eye symptoms by adding moisture, reducing inflammation, and helping the eye to heal.

4. Bone Strength: Some research shows hyaluronic acid supplements can speed up bone healing after fractures because it stimulates bone-building cells.

However, the body’s natural stores of hyaluronic acid decline as you age, which is why many people opt for supplements or topical creams.

Should I Use Hyaluronic Acid in the Morning or Night?

Though some skincare products are best applied at certain times of the day, you can actually use hyaluronic acid both in the morning and night. It works to keep the skin hydrated all day long, protecting it from environmental damage such as pollution and sunlight during the day. When used at night, it helps repair the skin from any damage received during the day while keeping it moisturized. Please note, that when using it in the morning, it’s crucial to follow it up with a good sunscreen, as hyaluronic acid does not provide sun protection. Also, be sure to follow up the usage with a moisturizer to lock in the hydration.

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