THE ACID WITH THE BEST REP

Hi there, meet Hyaluronic Acid. The acid with the dopest street cred...understandably so, as it's one of the most effective ingredients for moisturizing skin out there. But while its moisturizing abilities are well-known, how it works is a littles less so. And the more you learn, the better you can maximize its benefits.

First and foremost, the basics: Hyaluronic acid is a molecule found naturally in the body and is also a humectant. Meaning, it retains moisture within the skin. Better yet, think of it as a magnet.

How it works is simple. Once it sinks into skin, hyaluronic acid (which at times goes by the moniker sodium hyaluronate) can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water and in doing so, gives skin a soft, plumper texture and more even skin tone. Additionally, it can improve fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid is gentle on the skin barrier, making it an excellent choice whether you have dry or dehydrated skin.

And yet, it's important to note that not all hyaluronic acid molecules are created equal. In fact, there are six different sizes. With that in mind, different molecular weights penetrate to different levels of the skin. Molecules with lower molecular weight are smaller and can therefore reach the deeper layers of the skin. There, they sustain skin's moisture content. On the other hand, those with high molecular weights remain closer to the surface, where they deliver the most visible results---softer, smoother and firmer skin.

The best way to use a hyaluronic serum? By adding an occulsive or emollient ingredient into your routine, i.e. a face oil. Though hyaluronic acid can attract and retain moisture, it doesn't necessarily keep that moisture from evaporating over time. Which is why it's vital to add in a face oil to your regimen to help seal in the moisture drawn into skin by the hyaluronic acid, ensuring that both work together to allow skin stays hydrated.

Still, skin loses hydration with age. On top of that, hyaluronic acid has a short half-life and is unstable, making it easy to be degraded by other factors. In order to offset this inevitable moisture loss and in turn minimize dryness, lines/wrinkles and other signs of aging, it's imperative to incorporate it into your daily routine to reap all of its benefits.

#skincare #selfcare