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HYALURONIC ACID: WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR THE SKIN

A natural component of the skin, hyaluronic acid has an important influence on the reduction of wrinkles and a sufficient supply of moisture. It is used in numerous high-quality cosmetics, which bring this active ingredient specifically to the areas of your skin where its effect can best unfold. The following article deals with the topic of hyaluronic acid and describes how it occurs and affects the skin.

22 Sep 2021

From BIOTHERM

Hyaluronic Acid

What is hyaluron?

Hyaluron, or hyaluronic acid, is one of the human body's natural tissue components. A long-chain polysaccharide, it carries out various functions within the cells. Thus, hyaluronic acid is able to bind a lot of water and is therefore the perfect active ingredient for long-lasting hydrated skin. It also plays a role in the mechanical functions of cells, such as maintaining a pressure resistance, and as a lubricant for joints. Hyaluronic acid is also a viscoelastic filler, which provides elasticity in connective tissue and skin. It serves as a general structuring agent and can promote skin regeneration.

Many of the fascinating properties of hyaluronic acid have not yet been fully explored and are the focus of much scientific work. Thus, modifications to hyaluronic acid allow the agents to be specialized and adapted for different applications. For example, the viscosity is changed to either achieve better absorption through the skin or to optimize the hyaluron for its tasks as a lubricant for joints or as a filler for wrinkle support. In addition to acting as a moisturizer, hyaluronic acid can also provide protective effects for premature skin aging caused by UV light.[1]

Where does hyaluronic acid occur?

Hyaluronic acid is found in the tissues and body fluids of all vertebrates and also in some species of bacteria. In humans, it forms components of connective tissue, cartilage, and synovial fluid. The highest concentrations were found in the following body parts:

  • Umbilical cord
  • Joint fluid
  • Skin
  • Vitreous humor of the eye
  • Tendons and ligaments of skeletal muscles
  • Blood and lymphatic fluid

The synthesis of hyaluronic acid takes place directly in the cells. This formation can be influenced by various factors. For example, in the case of injuries or inflammations, the body reacts with an increased formation of hyaluronic acid, which can promote the healing processes. Hyaluron also plays a major role in embryonic development.[2]

What is hyaluronic acid used for in cosmetics and medicine?

In cosmetics, hyaluronic acid can be used both externally and internally. It is used for minimally invasive procedures such as for wrinkle injections, facial sculpting, or lip injections. Via cosmetics, hyaluronic acid can penetrate the upper layers of the skin, where it can soften the depth of small wrinkles. Anti-aging products that are specifically adapted to the skin's needs and type are the best solution here. In addition to hyaluronic acid, they contain other ingredients that provide the skin with antioxidants, nourishing lipids and minerals, among other things[3]

For clinical applications, hyaluronic acid is used in eye surgery, orthopedics, and rheumatology. It also plays a role in plastic surgery.

How does hyaluronic acid affect the skin?

The most important hyaluron effect on the skin is its ability to store water. Since hyaluron has this property, it is very suitable for plumping and moisturizing the skin. The signs of skin aging include the increasing loss of moisture and elasticity . One of the reasons is the decline in the body's own production of hyaluronic acid. Therefore anti-aging treatments include the addition of hyaluronic acid to reduce small wrinkles through its refreshing and moisturizing effect. For example, hyaluron can be used for dark circles to strengthen the delicate skin under the eyes through its plumping effect.[4]

Hyaluronic acid can also optimize cell activity and improve the matrix of connective tissue. This results in smoother, more toned, and elastic skin. It is believed that hyaluronic acid has a mitigating effect on cell aging and slows it down.[5]

Is hyaluron good for the skin?

Yes, because it is a substance produced naturally in the body, where a deficiency becomes noticeable through the increased formation of wrinkles and dryness. Studies [6]have shown that treatment with hyaluronic acid promotes a significant improvement in skin elasticity and smoother skin.

What are the different types of hyaluron?

Hyaluron, which is used therapeutically, occurs in various forms. A distinction is made between low-molecular hyaluronic acid and high-molecular hyaluronic acid. The two types have different flow properties, are integrated into the tissue at different rates and speeds. The most important distinguishing factors are the size of the molecules and the expansion of the cross-links of these molecules. The stronger the cross-links are developed, the poorer the utilization of the applied hyaluronic acid in the skin, which is why natural or low-molecular hyaluronic acid is preferred for cosmetic applications. High molecular weight hyaluronic acid is suitable, for example, for osteoarthritis treatments or for surgical purposes.[7]

Hyaluronic acid production - where does this active ingredient come from?

Hyaluronic acid used therapeutically or cosmetically was mainly obtained from cockscombs until the end of the 1990s. This procedure has the disadvantage that people with an allergy to chicken egg whites may be sensitive to the hyaluronic acid obtained in such a way. New processes extract hyaluron through biotechnological means, in which the active ingredient is isolated from various basic substances by fermentation with bacteria. For cosmetic products, hyaluronic acid is partially stabilized and modified, as the unstabilized hyaluronic acid would otherwise be broken down too quickly in the body.[8]

Hyaluron for wrinkles - how exactly does it work?

People often ask: "does hyaluron help reduce the appearance of wrinkles?" Hyaluronic acid, especially as a low-molecular variant, can positively influence the growth of epidermal cells and thus protect them from premature skin aging. It also improves the water storage capacity of the cells. If the skin is treated with hyaluronic acid, this can lead to smoother and firmer skin due to a better supply of moisture. Skin elasticity can also be improved, which can reduce the depth and number of wrinkles. The connective tissue is strengthened, which promotes a fresher and more youthful appearance compared to hyaluron before and after. The optimal effect is achieved by a balanced combination of different types of low-molecular and high-molecular hyaluronic acid.[9]

Hyaluronic acid is able to positively influence collagen production in the skin. In doing so, it activates skin cells called fibroblasts, which are capable of producing collagen and elastin fibers.[10]

Use a combination of active ingredients for optimal skin care

A deep-acting regenerating hyaluronic skincare product like the Life Plankton Elixir can reduce the visible signs of premature aging. It stabilizes and protects the skin barrier and supports the body's own activation of cell renewal. In combination with the ingredient collagen, hyaluronic acid can present even better effects. This is where the rosé, firming Blue Therapy Uplift Cream with red algae extract comes in handy, as it can moderate the visible signs of collagen loss. It strengthens the elasticity of the skin and helps restructure the collagen fibers. The skin looks firmer and its metabolism is improved, which can prevent premature aging. What's more, day creams with sun protection factor are recommended to reduce the damage caused by UV light.

Eboutique Cover New Blue Therapy Red Algae Uplift

Treatment with hyaluronic acid by injection

In addition to the external application of hyaluron in cosmetics for the skin, it is also possible to inject hyaluron directly. This is used, for example, to treat deep wrinkles on the face or to plump up the lips with hyaluronic acid. However, measures such as wrinkle injections or filler treatment require a visit to a specialist and cannot simply be performed at home by oneself.[5]

Products with hyaluronic acid - varieties for every skin concern

Cosmetic products with hyaluronic acid provide optimal support to further moisturize the skin and improve its ability to store water. They can be used both daily and for intensive treatments for areas such as the face, chest, hands, and arms. In order to make the most of the effectiveness of these cosmetics, it is advisable to use carefully selected skincare ranges with matching cleansing lotions, day and night products , as well as eye creams and lip balms.

These products include:

  • Hyaluron serum
  • Hyaluron cream (day cream and night cream)
  • Hyaluron ampoules
  • Hyaluron lip care
  • Hyaluron eye cream

Products with hyaluronic acid are recommended when you want to reduce the signs of aging, such as dryness, flaky skin, the formation of wrinkles, and a loss of elasticity. They are ideal for anti -aging treatments that are designed to give the skin a fresher, plumped-up, and smoother appearance. When choosing the right products, you can go by the recommendations of the manufacturers, who have developed them for specific skin concerns, skin types, and age groups.

If you are not sure what skin type you have, you can easily take a useful online test to find out. The Skin Analysis Tool uses a photo you have taken and asks you several questions to provide the most accurate result. It is helpful if you don't wear makeup when taking the photo, take off your glasses and keep your hair out of your face. Following the analysis, you will receive recommendations for optimal skincare products for your skin, which can be easily integrated into your daily routine. You will be shown specific ingredients, skincare routines, and products that are ideally suited to your skin type and concerns.

Hyaluron serum with perfectly combined ingredients

You can support the regeneration of your skin with a hyaluronic serum. A serum is a highly concentrated liquid, which is characterized by its light texture. It can be quite liquidly or oily. It is best applied under a cream or face mask. You can enjoy this refreshing process as desired, both in the morning and in the evening. You can apply a few drops of hyaluronic serum to your face after daily cleansing and gently massage it in. Then apply a day cream as usual. If you want to increase the effects of a regenerative mask, you can apply a hyaluronic serum under this mask.

A serum with hyaluronic acid, such as Life Plankton Elixir, promotes the following effects:

  • smoother skin texture
  • smaller pores
  • firmer skin
  • reduction of wrinkles
  • enhanced radiance

Choose a rather lightweight product if your skin is prone to blemishes. An oily serum with hyaluron, on the other hand, can be beneficial for rather dry skin.

Hyaluron cream for everyday use

Hyaluronic cream is especially good for dry skin because it helps to provide your skin with more moisture and also to retain the moisture. Sufficient moisture also promotes an effective skin protection barrier and a healthy glow. With the moisturizing Aquasource Hyalu Plump Gel, you can offer your skin nourishing ingredients and support its regenerative processes. The gel is enriched with highly concentrated Life Plankton™. The hyaluronic acid it contains has a plumping and firming effect. Furthermore, the hyaluronic acid applied to your skin stimulates collagen production and can thus contribute to a more youthful appearance in the long term.

Protective day creams

As a regenerating day cream, use a smoothing skincare product which strengthens your skin and provides it with extra moisture thanks to the hyaluronic acid it contains. This is especially important in winter, when dry air from heating systems can stress out your skin. But even in the warm season, a day cream with hyaluronic acid can help smooth out incipient frown lines or fine wrinkles around the nose. Choose a day cream with UV protection to prevent premature aging of the skin due to the effects of UV light. In the case of very intense sun radiation, which can occur in summer near the sea or in winter in the high mountains, you should also use a cream with a high sun protection factor and reapply it when necessary. Additionally, you can protect your skin from too much sunlight by wearing appropriate clothing and staying in the shade.

Regenerating night cream

With a firming and regenerating night cream, you look after your beauty and youthful radiance even while you sleep. Choose a nourishing anti-wrinkle night cream that will smooth and revitalize your skin. It helps to soften wrinkles and fine lines. The ideal combination of active ingredients is one that, in addition to hyaluron, contains other active ingredients such as resveratrol and similar antioxidants that protect you from free radicals and promote collagen formation. The night cream with hyaluronic acid also plumps your skin and provides it with lasting moisture.

Did you know? Did you know? Important antioxidants suitable for skin care include the following: vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E and carotenoids. They are able to partially neutralize free radicals and thus prevent damage that these free radicals could cause at cellular level.

Moisturizing eye cream

In order to provide the sensitive and delicate skin around the eyes with optimal moisture and nutrients, it is best to apply an eye cream that matches your skin type every day. For dry skin and signs of aging such as wrinkles, an eye cream with hyaluronic acid can provide a targeted supply of increased moisture. Crow's feet and dark circles can be softened with a refreshing eye cream. When applying this cream, be careful not to get it in your eyes. Always leave some space around the eye and avoid massaging the eye cream in too aggressively. For delicate skin, it is better to dab the cream on gently and pat it in lightly with the fingertips.

Promote the skin's regeneration process with hyaluron ampoules

Hyaluron ampoules are ideal to promote the regeneration of your skin with the use of an intense treatment. You can use this treatment for several days, opening an ampoule in the morning or evening after cleansing your skin and distributing the contents evenly over your face. You increase the effect if you gently massage the liquid in using circular movements. While you're at it, treat yourself to a little extra rest and care to let the refreshing and regenerative products take better effect. You could combine the hyaluronic ampoule treatment with a yoga class, meditation, or a relaxing bath, for example.

The serum contained in the hyaluronic ampoules usually has a light and fluid texture. It is absorbed particularly quickly into the skin, leaving it immediately smooth and firm and free of that sticky feeling. After the active ingredients from the ampoules have been absorbed, you can continue with your skincare routine as normal. Apply a protective day cream and use an eye cream if you want to provide the skin around your eyes with extra care.

Hyaluron lip care for smooth and full lips

Do you want to give your lips a fresher and fuller look? Then you should simply test out a lip care product formulated with hyaluron. A hydrating lip balm with a smoothing and plumping effect provides the delicate skin of the lips with a lot of nutrients and moisture. It can make your lips look plumper and smoother, highlighting a youthful appearance. Since hyaluronic acid also heals wounds, lip care products with hyaluronic acid are excellent for chapped or cracked lips. You can therefore use the hydrating lip balm even if you are prone to dry lips or chapped corners of the mouth.

Conclusion: cosmetics with hyaluron can effectively improve the appearance of the skin

Hyaluronic acid has many interesting properties that can promote the regeneration of your skin and give it more moisture, elasticity, and smoothness. Cosmetic application is not limited to wrinkle injections, because with a balanced formulation, hyaluron can also be absorbed into the skin via a serum or cream. The effects are reflected in a firmer and plumper complexion, with diminished wrinkles and more hydrated skin. You can therefore use products with hyaluronic acid to promote a youthful and refreshed appearance, which is evident not only when you look in the mirror, but also when you feel good in your body.

[1]Vgl. Dr. Trommer, Hagen, Prof. Dr. Dr. Reinhardt, H.H. Neubert: Hyaluronsäure – ein vielseitig einsetzbares Biomolekül, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Institut für Pharmazie, Pharmazeutische Wissenschaft, Storckverlag
[2] Vgl. Maier, Julia Katharina: Untersuchungen zur Rolle der Hyaluronsäure im Fettgewebe im Kontext der Entstehung einer Adipositas und Insulinresistenz, Düsseldorf, März 2016, https://docserv.uni-duesseldorf.de/servlets/DerivateServlet/Derivate-40626/Dissertation_JuliaKatharinaMaier_final.pdf (accessed 17.11.2021)
[3] Vgl. Hyaluronsäure: in: www.chemie.de, o. D., https://www.chemie.de/lexikon/Hyalurons%C3%A4ure.html (accessed 16.11.2021).
[4] Vgl. Altmeyer, Med. Peter: Hautalterung (Übersicht), in: Altmeyers Enzyklopädie - Fachbereich Dermatologie, 31.10.2017, https://www.altmeyers.org/de/dermatologie/hautalterung-ubersicht-14453 (accessed 16.11.2021).
[5] Vgl. Communications, Ebcont/K. Fritz: Aktuelle Dermatologie, in: Thieme eRef, o. D., https://eref.thieme.de/ejournals/1438-938X_2006_03#/10.1055-s-2005-921142 (accessed 17.11.2021).
[6]Vgl. Einsatz biophysikalischer Messverfahren zur Untersuchung der hautphysiologischen Wirkung injizierbarer Hyaluronsäure: in: springermedizin.de, o. D., https://www.springermedizin.de/einsatz-biophysikalischer-messverfahren-zur-untersuchung-der-hau/8025148 (accessed 16.11.2021).
[7]Vgl. Lang, Med. Johannes/Ibrahim Güler/Frank Antwerpes/Katharina Klüting: Hyaluronsäure, in: DocCheck Flexikon, o. D., https://flexikon.doccheck.com/de/Hyalurons%C3%A4ure (accessed 16.11.2021).
[8] Vgl. PharmaWiki - Hyaluronsäure: in: pharmawiki.ch, o. D., https://www.pharmawiki.ch/wiki/index.php?wiki=hyalurons%C3%A4ure (accessed 16.11.2021).
[9] Haeusler, H. "Wirksamkeit eines Hyaluronsäure Gels zur Verbesserung des Hautbildes.", https://experchem.com/files/files/file/77926821-f8e2-40f8-9e2d-72548b5f2ba8/Raya-Hyaluronsaure-Gel-WIRKSAMKEIT-ExperChem.pdf (accessed 16.11.2021)
[10] Vgl. Native Hyaluronsäure in der Ästhetischen Medizin Ergebnisse einer Expertenkonferenz: in: Wiley Online Library, o. D., https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1610-0387.2007.06639_supp.x (accessed)


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