All hail hyaluronic acid, the most hydrating of them all!
Here's why your skin needs hyaluronic acid now more than ever
Is it me, or is this not the same Daylight Savings Time we experience each year? It is so bad that the other night, as I watched my clock hit 4:30 AM, I thought to myself, “what else do I need to do?” although my eyes burned for sleep! Three days of late nights and an impending period means several things. It means bloating, dark under-eye circles, dry skin, and breakouts for the heck of it. I hate it here.
Although your skin is drier in the cooler months of the year, it becomes a different beast during the warmer months of the year. For example, if you live in Chicago, warmer weather brings a crap ton of humidity. While humidity is good for your skin, that type of heat will make you sweat like a pig! Sweating is your body’s way of purging toxins and hydrating your skin on a hot day. Yet, it also makes your skin very dry. Have you ever noticed how thirsty you become after working up a sweat? That’s because your body released a lot of water. All this makes humidity a double-edged sword for your skin.
In Los Angeles, humidity is fake news. The air here is dry and stale, which means that it can be 105 degrees in the thick of summer, yet, you won’t break a sweat! It is so dry that your sweat evaporates before it trickles down your forehead or back. In this post about dry skin, you learned that dehydration is a gateway to many common issues. Some of these issues include acne and rough, patchy skin.
As temperatures climb, you need to adjust your day and nighttime skincare routines. In warmer months, [de]hydration means the difference between clear, glowing skin, and acne-prone skin. With that said, let’s talk about a skincare ingredient that you need when hydrating your skin - hyaluronic acid.
What is hyaluronic acid?
According to Harper's Bazaar, hyaluronic acid is a sugar that our body produces. It retains water and keeps our skin hydrated and plump. It is most plentiful in our skin, connective tissue, and eyes. Hyaluronic acid is to the skin what oil is to a motor vehicle. It keeps your skin lubricated so that other parts of the skin can work as they should. You can find hyaluronic acid in your favorite cleansers, moisturizers, and serums. Heck, it’s even found in Masktini’s Woke Bae Whenever Moisture Spritz. What is a gentle skin care moisturizer that does not contain hyaluronic acid anyway?
3 benefits of hyaluronic acid for the skin
In many ways, hyaluronic acid is the gift that keeps on giving for your skin! Apart from keeping it hydrated and lubricated, this sugar also:
1. Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
That makes hyaluronic acid a powerful anti-aging skincare ingredient! One of the leading causes of premature aging is a lack of moisture or hydration. If your skin is dehydrated or dry, it becomes tight, stiff and prone to cracking. When you use skincare products that contain hyaluronic acid, you help it to keep moisture. Retaining moisture prevents cracks in the skin that lead to fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Increases skin cell production
Every day your skin has to fight the good fight against free radicals. These are pesky microscopic particles that damage your skin cells and cause them to die. All your dead skin cells are the result of lost battles to free radicals. While death is never enjoyable, dead skin cells are a sign that your skin functions as it should. By using hyaluronic acid, you make your skin’s battle that much easier. Instead of fighting for hydration and moisture, it only has to focus on one issue - how to protect your skin from free radicals! With increased skin cell turnover, you reveal new, plump skin that's ripe for that spring to summer glow.
3. Promotes moisture balance
There is a common misconception that you only need hydration and moisture if you have a dry skin type. That could not be further from the truth! Hyaluronic acid is for everyone. It distributes moisture and prevents the overproduction of your sebaceous (oil) glands. In case you missed it here, when your skin produces too much oil, this leads to acne breakouts. So, stay hydrated to prevent clogged pores that occur when your sebaceous glands secrete excess oil.
When it comes to skincare, it is the skinimalist things that count. In this year of skinimalism, do the things that your skin needs to prevent the skin issues that you do not want. No matter your skin type, invest in a skincare product that contains hyaluronic acid. Hydrated, moisturized skin will take you further than a 12-step Korean skincare routine ever can. Until next time, do not stay thirsty, my friends!