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hyaluronic acid
Hydration
Skincare
serum
hyaluronic acid
Hydration
Skincare
serum
What is hyaluronic acid and what are its benefits for the skin? We asked renowned dermatologists and here’s what we found.
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Praneet Sahni Kalani is a fashion & beauty writer with 5+ years' experience, an LCF graduate, with bylines in Vogue India and 100+ brands.
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Hyaluronic acid is infamous for being a staple in skincare. In fact, these days you'd be hard-pressed to find a product that doesn't have it in its formulation. For someone with combination skin, I can vouch for this ingredient. But what is hyaluronic acid? We asked two dermatologists how they would explain hyaluronic acid to a skincare newbie.
Dr Jaishree Sharad who is a board certified cosmetic dermatologist with 24 years of experience, explains "Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide (a kind of sugar molecule) present in our skin, joints, and connective tissues. It's a humectant, meaning it draws water from the environment and deeper skin layers to the surface. Each molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water and hydrate as well as plump the skin." Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta , an aesthetic doctor and skin expert in Delhi who is also the founder of Isaac Luxe, adds to this, "Hyaluronic acid is a fuel for the skin that helps to keep the skin fresh and luminous by taking care of the hydration needs of the skin. This in turn helps in reduction of signs of ageing, pigmentation and the overall skin health."
Hyaluronic acid is what gives your skin that supple, plumping effect. Hyaluronic acid uses for skin include its ability to reduce trans-epidermal moisture loss and fortify the epidermal barrier function, leaving your skin hydrated and protected throughout the day. While our body produces it naturally, our levels of hyaluronic acid deplete as we age, leaving our skin increasingly unable to retain water. This results in dehydration, pale skin, and ultimately fine lines and wrinkles. The good news is that there is a wealth of products that can combat all this. To plump dry skin, hyaluronic acid works to reduce trans-epidermal moisture loss and fortify the epidermal barrier function, leaving your skin hydrated and protected throughout the day. However, there are side effects of hyaluronic acid too which we will explore later.
Hyaluronic acid plays a vital role in wound healing and tissue regeneration. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Its benefits stretch far and wide and that's why it is commonly used in cosmetic products. Incorporating hyaluronic acid serum into your routine can work wonders.
Steps to Incorporate Hyaluronic Serum Into Your Skincare Routine
Dr Jaishree shares that hyaluronic acid is available in serum formulations, creams and masks. However, serums are the most effective because they deliver a higher concentration of active ingredients directly to the skin. "You can also look for serums with multi-molecular HA (different molecule sizes) for deeper hydration."
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to seamlessly incorporate hyaluronic acid serum into your skincare routine:
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is generally considered safe. It is commonly used in skincare products and even dermal fillers. However, like any substance, it can have side effects. Some of them are:
Allergic Reactions: Though it's rare to have an allergic reaction, these reactions can be redness, itching, or swelling due to sensitivity to the product or other ingredients.
Dryness: However paradoxical this may sound, hyaluronic acid can dry up the skin if not sealed in properly.
Dr Jaishree explains, "Without sealing HA into the skin, it might draw water from the skin, leading to dryness." If you are using retinoids, AHA, or BHA, make sure to apply HA to damp skin first. After this, you can use the retinoid or AHA, followed by a moisturiser. Another point to keep in mind here is that you should avoid using high strength AHA and retinoids with hyaluronic acid. Dr Geetika states that such high concentrations can lead to excessive skin irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. Therefore it is advisable to use it individually or with advised combinations only. Another point to keep in mind would be to avoid applying HA over oils, heavy creams, or ointments." These create a barrier that prevents HA from penetrating and working effectively.
The hero ingredient of any skincare routine, hyaluronic acid is perfectly safe to use every day. In fact, most experts would encourage you to apply it twice a day, every day, as part of your morning and evening routine. "Yes, it can be used every day, even twice a day." Dr Jaishree advises. Now that you know how to add this superstar of an ingredient to your skincare routine, don't waste time and start now!
