What do the words dry, dull, and flaky all have in common? They are all adjectives used to describe the appearance of dehydrated skin. Those battling dry skin, regardless if it is a chronic condition or seasonal, know first-hand that parched skin dying of thirst is never a good look. Despite this common problem there are many misconceptions on the best way to replenish and revive the skin. Many automatically go into a panic-stricken search of the heaviest moisturizer on the market to combat the unfortunate symptoms that come along with dry skin.
However, many of these moisturizers are not the most effective method to address these concerns, especially in the long term. Sure, they may feel luxurious when you first apply them to your face but most are not able to perform throughout the day. What does this leave you? A fresh, glowing look when you leave the house that quickly plummets into a flat, lifeless disaster before lunch time. This unfortunate phenomenon is due to the inability of that product to attract and lock moisture into the skin. You need a product that is there for the long haul. After all, looking radiant and healthy all day is a marathon not a sprint!
The key ingredient to give you the moisture binding staying power that you need is hyaluronic acid (HA). Do not let the word “acid” give you the impression that this is a harsh exfoliate. Quite the contrary, hyaluronic acid is fundamental to the hydration of your skin. You may have heard of this ingredient before if you are familiar with dermal fillers. This is the main ingredient in the majority of dermal fillers that are used to plump up sunken regions of the face and to fill in moderate to severe wrinkles. HA is a naturally occurring carbohydrate in the human body that exists in sizable amounts between the spaces between skin cells. This is the origin of the skin’s moisture, plumpness, firmness and suppleness. We are born with a high level of hyaluronic acid, which keeps our skin plump and smooth. However, the amount of hyaluronic acid in our skin diminishes and our skin dries out, particularly after age 40.
It is with good reason that HA has become a fundamental ingredient in topical medical grade skincare such as serums and moisturizers. This powerful moisturizer increases hydration, improves elasticity and reverses free radical damage to keep the skin youthful and supple.
If you have oily or acneic skin, your first though may be that HA would not be a good fit for your skin type. Contrary to popular belief it is vital to keep all skin, even oily skin, hydrated. In fact, when starved of hydration the skin will produce more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture. This only exacerbates the challenges faced by those with oily skin. Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that works for everyone regardless of skin type. Ensure that your serum and/or moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid. If you have dry skin apply hyaluronic acid under your daily moisturizer and if you have oily skin use hyaluronic acid alone.
SkinMedica’s HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator is one of the biggest game changing products in the anti-aging market. It is designed to hydrate the skin from the inside out. This product is considered a pioneer because it aids the skin to replenish its very own supply of hyaluronic acid within the top layer of the skin. Skin can lose up to 50% of its hyaluronic acid between the ages of 40 and 50. This often results in our skin’s inability to retain moisture, which leads to dry skin and a rough skin texture.
Other topical hyaluronic serums currently available are deceptive by only temporarily moisturizing the skin. This gives the false illusion of hydrated skin. SkinMedica’s HA5 expedites hydration levels in the skin immediately, administering up to eight hours of steady hydration. The crucial ingredient in HA5 is Vitisensce Technology, a proprietary antioxidant formulation full of five different forms of hyaluronic acid. HA5 reverses dry skin into hydrated skin, resulting in a dewy and fresh finish. Dry and rough skin texture along with fine lines and wrinkles are reduced instantaneously upon application of HA5. Not only is dry skin protected up to eight hours after using this product, 90% of those using HA5 have reported smoother and softer skin after eight weeks of consistent usage.
Optimal results are achieved from HA5 come from applying twice daily, once in the morning before a moisturizer and sunscreen and once in the evening before applying a moisturizer. HA5 can be utilized on the face, neck and décolleté. It is safe to say that hyaluronic acid has transcended from injectable treatments to daily skincare.
