So you see the words hyaluronic acid and not only do you have any idea what it means, but the syllabic combination of a word that rhymes with bionic next to a word that possibly implies burning unpleasant sensations is enough to make you go… Umm No, Thank You.

Fear Not, my friends. I will walk you through what this scary sounding actually is and how it is essential to healthy skin. In fact, your skin and body should already be producing it. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in skin that helps retain moisture, encourages tissue repair and provides that cushioning characteristic of younger skin. In short, it is a powerful anti-aging agent that helps plump up skin and diminishes fine lines and wrinkles.

So let’s stop here for a second and talk biology, because a little science education about your skin and what it needs will not just make you an informed consumer but it will go a long way in nourishing it with the products you need to look youthful and have that beautiful glowing skin. I promise not to bore you with a long biology lecture! Just some basics about water and the role hyaluronic acid plays in utilizing that water to make skin look plump and wrinkle-free!

Did you know that about 70% of our bodies is made up of water?  Every single organ in our body heavily needs water to function optimally, and skin, being your largest organ is no exception. 64% of your skin’s makeup is water! It’s no wonder that we’re told to drink 8 glasses of water a day for healthy glowing skin! But where and how is that water stored exactly?  Without getting into the nitty-gritty, there are basically 3 layers of skin:

It’s in the second layer of the skin, the Dermis, home of collagen and elastic, where hyaluronic acid is produced. And remember all that that water that your skin drank up? Most of it goes here to bind with the hyaluronic acid—and this is where the magic happens. The two get together to function as natural filler in your face. Hyaluronic acid not only traps moisture, it creates a gel-like consistency so that our collagen fibers can stay flexible.

Unfortunately, our skin’s natural production of this substance diminishes over time so it becomes essential to supplement it with high-quality serums that contain hyaluronic acid. What may happen is that your skin looks moisturized on the outside but it feels dry. In reality, your skin is dehydrated at a deeper level and drinking all the water in the world won’t necessarily help you. This is because the environment in the Dermis isn’t optimal anymore due to its lack of production of hyaluronic acid. In that fast drying environment, your collagen fibers can get brittle and break, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of shape and volume.

Ladies, it’s time to get cozy with this once seemingly stern compound. Hyaluronic serums and gel are the most hydrating products you can get and, along with drinking plenty of water, exercising and eating well, a sure-fire way to get gorgeous skin.

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/healthy_living/hic_An_Overview_ofYour_Skin