It’s been praised as the golden skin care ingredient, Eva Longoria sounds it out for you on TV commercials, this is what you need to make your skin look and feel its best. This is You Oughtta Know, featuring hyaluronic acid.
Some background
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-produced substance in our bodies. It is mostly found in our skin, eyes, and connective tissue. Its purpose? To retain water, maintaining moisture levels.
Uses
Many people take it as a supplement, but hyaluronic acid is also used in topical serums and eye drops. Let’s discuss!
Skin Serums
As we age, and are exposed to UV rays and pollutants in the air, the hyaluronic acid in our skin decreases. This can leave us with wrinkles and dry-looking skin. In suit of combat, taking hyaluronic acid supplements can compensate for this decline. When applied to the surface of the skin, redness, wrinkles, and dermatitis can be reduced.
Eye drops
Did you know that 1 out of 7 older adults experience symptoms of dry eye due to reduced tear production and tears evaporating too quickly? (healthline). Since it does such a great job at retaining moisture, hyaluronic acid is used to treat dry eye and has been shown to improve overall eye health.
Joints
Hyaluronic acid is found in the joints, which keeps the space between bones well-lubricated. Helpful for people suffering from osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative joint disease caused by wear and tear on the joints over time, such a supplement can keep joints moving smoothly. That way, bones are less likely to grind against each other and cause pain.
Miscellaneous
New research has begun to show hyaluronic acid’s positive effect on bone health. This research shows hope for those with osteopenia, the start of bone loss that typically leads to osteoporosis if left untreated. This ingredient may help increase the activity of osteoblasts, the cells that work to build new bone tissue.
If you have interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome), hyaluronic acid may be of interest, as it has been found to help relieve the pain and urinary frequency linked to this condition. Though more studies must be done to make conclusions, researchers believe that it aids in repairing damage to bladder tissue.
Have acid reflux? Hyaluronic has the potential to soothe the esophagus lining damage caused from it. According to Healthline, a test tube study actually found that applying a mixture of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate to acid-damaged throat tissue helped the esophagus health much faster than when no treatment was used. Another study found that taking a combo supplement along with an acid-reducing medication lowered reflux symptoms 60% more than taking acid-reducing medication alone. With more research on the horizon, results sure are promising.
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