Why Are Hyaluronic Acid Serums So Popular?

If you’re suffering from rough and dull skin – with an increase in fine lines and overly visible pores – chances are that your skin needs a drink of water. Dehydration is the typically overlooked culprit behind many of our everyday skin woes. It’s often the underlying cause behind secondary issues like premature aging and acne, too – so what can be done to quell these unsightly skin symptoms?

Cue Hyaluronic Acid: one of the best ingredients for tackling a dehydrated dermis!

Hyaluronic Acid is a molecule naturally produced by our own skin cells. A healthy dermis will produce HA in order to maintain adequate levels of H2O and moisture in skin and tissue. It works to lubricate our joints and skin, and is an absolutely critical component of skin’s overall health. With its benefits for dryness, aging, and acne-prone skin, it’s no wonder hyaluronic acid serums have become the oh-so-popular option for those with affected skin.

Hyaluronic Acid behaves as a humectant, meaning it attracts moisture, draws it into the skin, and works to retain and maintain moisture levels over time. A single gram of this stuff can retain up to six liters of water, and within the context of your skin cells, this means maintaining seriously high hydration levels in each individual cell.

Hyaluronic acid also plays an important role in skin elasticity, metabolism, skin regeneration, and healing. Think of it as a moisture magnet, or super heavy duty sponge. The result is a plump and glowing dermis, reduced fine lines, and reduced dullness and uneven texture. It’s also an important factor in whether or not skin is acneic: with more HA, skin regulates its sebum production, for balanced and hydrated skin but not plugged pores or lipid overproduction.

In an ideal world, our skin would be able to produce and sustain healthy levels of Hyaluronic Acid on its own, at all times. But unfortunately, due to free radicals, toxins in the environment, and super drying and stripping ingredients (think detergents and drugstore makeup), it’s often the case that skin needs supplemental Hyaluronic Acid. This extra HA should be delivered through plant-based skin care products, which are designed to improve and sustain skin’s natural support mechanisms.

There are serious benefits to delivering extra Hyaluronic Acid to your skin in the form of a serum. Serums are designed to be applied post-cleanse to a dermis with open pores and enhanced absorption capacity. Some active ingredients in serums can be difficult to tolerate for sensitive and acneic skin (think glycolic acid, retinols, and salicylic acid), but Hyaluronic Acid is super gentle on any skin type: sensitive, breakout-prone, dermatitis prone, or oily.

What’s more, because Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant, applying it before you apply your moisturizer, hydrant, or facial oil will result in seriously amped up absorption and retention of any moisture products you apply post HA. H2O and moisture will stay locked into your skin cells throughout the day, meaning a plumped pillowy effect and super smooth makeup application.

With this in mind, we’ve featured Hyaluronic Acid in the formula of Puristry’s Vine Therapy Serum, a product designed to first and foremost focus on elasticity. A skin’s elasticity refers to its ability to maintain shape, volume, and density, even when confronted with external aggressors like weather, chemicals, and UV rays.

Hyaluronic Acid is a key ingredient for maintaining elasticity: it improves the condition of skin through strengthening and lubricating connective tissues, functioning as a gel-like material surrounding each skin cell. Heightened levels of HA mean denser and bouncier skin – super key for aging skin but also skin dealing with post-acne recovery.

Another thing to celebrate about Hyaluronic Acid: delivered in a serum, HA will effectively eliminate trans-epidermal water loss. What do we mean by this? Trans-epidermal water loss refers to the H20 that evaporates from your pores into the air throughout the day. With everyday use of our Vine Therapy antioxidant and hyaluronic acid serum, water will remain in your skin for longer, meaning significantly reduced fine lines around sensitive areas like the eyes and mouth.

Our formula combines Hyaluronic Acid with a super hydrating base of organic aloe water, plus antioxidant packed grapeseed oil and organic acai. Organic coconut oil amps things up with essential fatty acids, and Bergaptene-Free bergamot oil adds vitamin C to the mix, key for collagen production and skin brightening action.

The takeaway? Applied topically in the form of a serum, Hyaluronic Acid is a must-have for dehydrated skin. When skin is properly hydrated, fine lines and wrinkles will appear less deep and severe, pores will appear minimized, and a certain ‘perky’ or glowy quality will take up residence on your dermis. Ultra gentle Hyaluronic Acid doesn’t strip the skin or require downtime like other acids (no peeling!), so it’s a super ideal acid to be using everyday in serum form, AM or PM. Unlike other harsh chemical exfoliants, this acid works with your skin to enhance its natural moisture retention properties, for skin health and hydration from the dermis down to the deepest layers of the epidermis.

Keep up with us here for more ingredient deep dives!