Research clearly shows that Hyaluronic acid and Retinol, which is the technical name for vitamin A, has numerous astounding benefits for the skin. To make sure you’re getting the best of what this superstar ingredient has to offer, here is what you need to know.
Trendy ingredients in the world of skincare come and go and many should have never showed up in the first place. Hyaluronic acid is one whose fame is well earned. It offers multiple benefits for any skin type and comes packed with anti-aging, youth-enhancing properties. Hyaluronic acid is the hottest ingredient in skincare right now—but how well does it actually work as a moisturizer and wrinkle-destroyer?
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid (which also goes by the names hyaluronan or hyaluronate) is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the human body and acts as a cushioning and lubrication agent for our joints, nerves, hair, skin and eyes.
It’s particularly important to skin appearance because about 50 percent of the body’s supply is located in the skin tissues, where the viscous, jelly-like substance helps keep it plum, soft and supple.for a while, at least. Our ability to produce hyaluronic acid declines with age, which can lead to increased dryness, fine lines, wrinkles and sagging.
Hyaluronic acid molecules has a unique ability to attract and retain more than 1,000 times their weight in water thus increasing the skin’s ability to hold more moisture making the skin more plump and youthful while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
How Can the Skin Benefit from Hyaluronic Acid?
One of the main benefits of hyaluronic acid for the skin is the ability to rejuvenate the dermis layer of the skin. When this substance is applied to the face it has the ability to fill and disguise tine line, providing a more even skin and combating premature aging.
Another benefit of hyaluronic acid is its ability to keep skin hydrated allowing a healthy, bright, velvety and florid complexion. Moreover, hyaluronic acid stimulates skin elasticity, allowing flaccidity and a firm complexion.
Hyaluronic acid has the ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines around the eyes (crow’s feet), and mouth. Hyaluronic acid can be found as in ingredient in many anti-aging creams and other skin formulations or it can be administered through injections performed by a specialist in aesthetic medicine and can immediately produce a filling effect in areas around the eyes and mouth where wrinkles and lines are most prominent.
The later option is recommended for mature skin beginning to show wrinkles or that already has wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid not only helps with decreasing lines and wrinkles, it can help change the appearance of the skin by giving the skin a more healthy firm appearance because it stimulates collagen production allowing further skin-rejuvenation.
Not only is hyaluronic acid used in creams and other anti-aging formulations it can be taken internally in the form of capsules. Studies have shown that hyaluronic acid cannot only give great benefits to the skin but can improve joint health as well.
The leading skin care companies have learned that combining hyaluronic acid with another anti-aging super-power, Retinol, will improve the most challenging aging problems.
Retinol’s Anti-Aging Benefits for Skin
Retinol, which is a form of vitamin A, is an extremely effective skin-transforming ingredient that seems to help diminish visible signs of aging. Over 40 years of established research shows it can help to increase the appearance of firmness, diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles, significantly improve uneven skin tone, smooth and refine the surface of skin, and much, much more.
When skin’s appearance is affected by environmental assault (and everyone’s skin is) or you have signs of aging, uneven skin tone, wrinkles and a loss of the look of firmness, retinol steps in to minimize those concerns. Studies have clearly shown retinol naturally turns around how skin appears-which makes it one of the most exciting skincare ingredients in use today!
Even better, a retinol product, be it in the form of a serum, moisturizer, or targeted solution, is easy to work into your daily skincare routine. But before shopping, red on to learn a few essential retinol tips!
Can’t Tolerate Your Retinoid? You’re Not Along
Retinol is an over-the-counter version of the prescription strength Retin-A, another category of retinoids. Originally intended to treat acne, we now know that retinoids are an effective anti-aging treatment as well, reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. Yet, retinoids can produce severe skin irritation redness, and excessive skin peeling which can be very painful. In fact, redness and peeling are both signs that the retinoid is working. It’s actually sloughing off old skin to reveal new skin underneath.
Here are tips to use retinoids the right way:
1. Take a break. If your face is flaking take 5 to 7 days off. When you resume the retinoid, use it every third or fourth night. You’ll get the same benefits without the discomfort.
2. Stop using all of your anti-aging and acne products, especially those containing glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide, unless otherwise directed by your physician.
3. Before applying a retinoid at night, be sure your face is washed and completely dry. This might require waiting a few minutes after washing. Apply pea-sized or smaller dabs of retinoid on your forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin and gently massage into the skin. Do not apply to your eyelids or lips.
4. Always wear sunscreen when you’re using a retinoid, even in winter, as it significantly increases your sensitivity to the sun.
Both hyaluronic acid and retinol work hand-in-hand with providing the optimal anti-aging effects by helping to provide more youthful skin in both younger and more mature skin types. Regardless if using an over-the -counter strength retinol and hyaluronic acid cream or prescription strength, the benefits are well worth the time, effort, and investment.
