The skincare sensation, Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is more popular in the world of skincare. This naturally occurring acid is known to add a dose of hydration, improve skin elasticity, and erase wrinkles with no potential side effects. You can find this ingredient in many Serums, Moisturizers, Eye creams, Sheet masks, and Fillers in the market.
But recently, HA became the talk of the town, and you can see many of your favourite Celebrities and Influencers actively use and talk about this ingredient. Is it worth the hype?
Read this article further and know everything about Hyaluronic Acid.
Understanding Hyaluronic Acid
Chemically, HA is a complex carbohydrate molecule called glycosaminoglycan which can be found occurring naturally in the human body. It is most abundant in your skin and accounts for 50% of the total Hyaluronic acid in the body.
It is present in the layers of the eye, skin and all the tissues and fluids of the body. This acid is known for moisturizing the skin and helps to retain hydration in aged skin.
Besides moisturizing the skin, it also plays a major role in anti-ageing and helps to reduce the depth of wrinkles and increase skin firmness and elasticity. It also smooths skin texture, reduces dermatitis, and heals wounds.
Different Formulations
Hyaluronic acid is also known as Hyaluronan and Hyaluronate. It is available in 3 different types, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Sodium hyaluronate, and Sodium acetylated hyaluronate.
When HA is broken down into small elements, it easily penetrates the different layers of skin. This type is known as Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and is best suited for oily and combination skin.
If you have normal skin, Sodium hyaluronate is best for you. It can go deeper into your skin and offers the required hydration without overdoing it. This type of HA is available in serums.
The final type, Sodium acetylated hyaluronate is more like the second type but with long-lasting effects. So, If you have dry skin or live in dry climates, this type of HA works best for you. So, based on your skin type, it is better to choose the type that suits you.
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The Hype Surrounding Hyaluronic Acid
Being one of the popular ingredients in the Skincare world, Hyaluronic Acid is highly endorsed by Celebrities and Influencers on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
It is popularly known as the ‘Fountain of Youth’ as it provides deep moisturization to the skin. As HA is known to improve hydration and is effective for all skin types, it is worth the hype.
How does Hyaluronic Acid work?
Hyaluronic acid is a long-chain carbohydrate and can attract other chemical compounds. Being a humectant, this acid attracts water molecules up to 1000 times their weight.
So, it can provide you with better hydration for your skin and help you escape from fine lines and wrinkles. This hydrating ingredient is used in several fillers and works better than topical applications.
The natural content of Hyaluronic acid in your body decreases with ageing. So, using products enriched with Hyaluronic acid helps you to get rid of skin problems like wrinkles, fine lines, eczema, and many more. Also, this acid is safe for regular use when applied correctly.
Debunking the HA Myths
When an ingredient is the talk of the town, several misconceptions spread along with its goodness. If you use HA to exfoliate dead skin, then stop using it. It is an acid with low pH, so it doesn’t provide you with the exfoliating properties like other exfoliants.
And never think it only works for dry skin. It is ideal for every skin type and helps to maintain skin pH and boosts hydration.
The amount of HA will not be the same throughout your life. As you age, the HA in your body decreases. So, it is wise to use products with this ingredient to prevent the signs of ageing.
It is also believed that both HA and Sodium hyaluronate are the same. But you should know that Sodium hyaluronate is better than HA in providing long-lasting effects.
Side Effects of Hyaluronic Acid
When an ingredient offers an immense amount of benefits, it is common to think about the potential side effects of it. The word ‘Acid’ always triggers some kind of fear in our mind. But, when it comes to this holy ingredient, you need not worry about it. It doesn’t have any history of causing trouble to the skin.
When you experience some negative experiences like rashes, it is probably because of the preservatives and other ingredients of the product. Apart from this, overuse of HA may sometimes trouble your skin.
Another crucial thing to take care of is the concentration of this acid. Your product should never contain more than 2% of the recommended amount. And always remember the traditional rule of patch testing before use.
What to look for in a product?
HA is available in several Serums, Sheet masks, Eye creams, Moisturizers, Cleansers, and Lip treatments. So, choosing the right product with this ingredient is often a daunting process.
When choosing a product, always look for Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Sodium acetylated hyaluronate, and Sodium hyaluronate in the ingredients list.
Apart from this, check for ingredients that are allergic to you and also avoid if it has fragrances.
It is also better to look for the molecular weight of the acid. Products with lower molecular weight can penetrate the skin much more easily. So, prefer this kind of product when available.
You can also look for complementary ingredients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, Ceramides, Retinol, AHAs & BHAs.
~ Recommended Hyaluronic Acid Serums ~
1. Mamaearth Skin Plump Face Serum
This serum contains Sodium hyaluronate, Rosehip oil, Olive extract and Coconut extract. Unlike the Aqua Glow Face Serum you are going to find next in our list, this serum is pretty perfect in itself.
There are no obvious red flags in its ingredient list. It effectively reduces fine lines, pores and other signs of ageing in the face.
This product is one of the more popular products from the brand’s catalogue and definitely worth a try!
Mamaearth Skin Plump Face Serum – BUY ON AMAZON BELOW
2. Pilgrim 2% Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Super Serum
Super serum or not, this is definitely the one to go for intense hydration. It is enriched with the goodness of watermelon and kiwi extracts along with 2% HA.
The serum contains no parabens, is 100% vegan and has absolutely no toxic chemicals. It is also cruelty-free and FDA-approved. This Indian brand takes its serums very seriously as this is one of its best products of all time.
This HA serum stands equal to those from market-leading brands such as L’oreal Paris for half its price.
Pilgrim 2% Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Super Serum – BUY ON AMAZON BELOW
3. The Moms Co. Natural Vita Rich Face Serum
This face serum includes additional active ingredients other than Hyaluronic acid such as vitamins B3, B5, C and E along with Niacinamide. The Vitamin C in the serum comes from the Australian Kakadu Plum extract.
As the name suggests, the brand is renowned for its products specifically crafted for moms with their safety in mind mainly during lactation. So this product is pretty much the safest you’ll find in the market.
Counting the additional ingredients in the serum that do wonders to your skin, this easily is one of our favourites in HA serums.
The Moms Co. Natural Vita Rich Face Serum – BUY ON AMAZON BELOW
4. St.Botanica Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum
Enriched with 1.5% HA and vitamins C, and E, this serum boosts hydration and makes your skin soft and smooth. It suits all skin types and has no paraben, mineral oils, sulfates, and silicone.
Besides the products mentioned above, you can also consider Plum 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum With Bulgarian Rose, Chemist at Play 11 KDa Hyaluronic Acid with 10% Niacinamide Hydrating Face Serum, Pilgrim 2% Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Super Serum.
St.Botanica Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum – BUY ON AMAZON BELOW
5. Aqua Glow Face Serum
Aqua Glow serum is another serum from Mamaearth containing Himalayan Thermal Water and Hyaluronic Acid for a claimed 72 hours of hydration of the skin. The HA is in the form of Sodium hyaluronate in this product.
As Mamaearth is a popular vegan, cruelty-free and dermatological-tested brand, you don’t have any worry about long-term side effects from any of their products.
However, this particular Aqua Glow face serum contains petroleum derivatives and EDTA which you should definitely notice and keep in mind before opting for it.
Aqua Glow Face Serum – BUY ON AMAZON BELOW
Final Thoughts
In the world of several skincare ingredients, Hyaluronic acid has captured unique attention with its marvellous benefits. With its power to attract molecules, it boosts hydration, reduces age signs, smooths skin texture, and improves skin elasticity.
While buying any products with HA, always look out for any allergens, molecular weight, and other complementary ingredients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, Ceramides, etc. The above-mentioned products have no more than 2% of Hyaluronic acid and are safe for your skin. And yes, Hyaluronic acid comes with a lot of goodness, and it is worth the hype.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Hyaluronic Acid worth the hype?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid is indeed worth the hype as it offers top benefits like hydrating skin, preventing signs of ageing, smooth skin texture, etc.
Q: Do dermatologists recommend hyaluronic acid?
Yes, dermatologists often recommend Hyaluronic acid to combat dry skin, ageing signs, and other skin conditions.
Q: Can a 22-year-old use hyaluronic acid?
Of course! A 22-year-old can add hyaluronic acid to their skincare regimen.
Q: Which skin type suits hyaluronic acid?
As Hyaluronic acid is noted for its hydrating properties, this acid is best suited for dry and dehydrated skin.
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The post Hyaluronic Acid Explained: Benefits and Side Effects appeared first on Yeh Hai India.
