Dehydrated skin accentuates lines and wrinkles. Unfortunately, we can’t give our skin a nice, big glass of water. But there is a nontoxic and natural ingredient that will do the trick: hyaluronic acid (HA). HA helps our skin hold water — and water is the secret to making our skin look plump. Because it is so good at hydrating our skin, HA is a popular anti-aging tool. And it’s also a key ingredient in cosmetic fillers. Thankfully, though, you don’t have to turn toward expensive and unnatural procedures to get the benefits.
Hyaluronic Acid Is a Natural Part of Our Body
“Hyaluronic acid is very safe and actually part of our skin already,” explained Tata Harper, who started her own luxury nontoxic skincare line. While HA is the principal molecule responsible for binding and retaining water in the skin, our body’s HA diminishes over time. “As we age, the concentration of hyaluronic acid in the epidermis declines dramatically, decreasing 50 percent between ages 19 and 60,” Harper noted.
When our skin loses its ability to hold water, we see less elasticity and suppleness. Hydrating products that contain hyaluronic acid can add it back. But they are not all created equal. “There are natural and synthetic versions of hyaluronic acid,” Harper warned. For her products, Harper uses the naturally-sourced versions, turning to fermented sugar and plants. While there’s no easy way to identify whether the HA is natural, Harper recommends looking for products that are certified “100 % Natural” by groups like Ecocert or Cosmos.
When our skin loses its ability to hold water, we see less elasticity and suppleness. Hydrating products that contain hyaluronic acid can add it back.
According to Harper, you also want an HA product that includes a combination of HA “sizes.” She told me: “The larger sizes are better for moisture and skin barrier, whereas the smaller sizes are better for anti-aging as they can penetrate more deeply, hydrate and plump the skin, and reduce the look of lines and wrinkles.”
Younger-looking Skin in Two Months
Research has shown that applying hyaluronic acid for eight weeks will decrease the depth of wrinkles and enhance skin hydration, firmness, and elasticity. If you’re ready to quench your skin’s thirst, check out these safe products made with HA:
Goldfaden MD Needle-Less Line Smoothing Concentrate gets a 1 on EWG and is available on Credo Beauty. Apply it to lines around your forehead, crow’s feet, and mouth before applying a moisturizer.
MyChelle Dermaceuticals Ultra Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum is EWG Verified and available on Amazon. The serum will help your skin retain water. It will also improve the performance of your moisturizer, which you should apply after.
Mineral Fusion Overnight Renewal Nighttime Recovery Face Cream is EWG Verified and available on Amazon. It’s a good option if you’re looking for a not-too-heavy night cream.
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum with Konjac Root, Hyaluronic Acid, and Ferulic Acid gets a 1 on EWG and is available on Amazon. Put it on before your moisturizer to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Suntegrity Skincare 5 in 1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen gets a 1 on EWG and is available on Amazon. If you’re just going to put one thing on your skin, this multipurpose tinted sunscreen comes with plant-derived HA.