Hyaluronic Acid, HA for short, and Cold Water Seaweed are both powerful armaments in a skincare arsenal.
They are both "Master Hydrators" and humectants, drawing moisture from the environment to the skin's surface and holding it there, plumping it up so it feels softer and smoother and reducing the appearance of fine lines and other signs of aging.
But they do MUCH more than that ... they both promote the healthy functioning and healing of our largest organ.
There is a third Master Hydrator - equally as powerful and perhaps the most powerful of them all - nature’s own miracle - glycerin.
LONG LASTING HYDRATION
SMOOTHS AND SOFTENS SKIN
RESTORES ELASTICITY
REDUCES APPEARANCE OF FINE LINES
HELPS PREVENT COLLAGEN DEGRADATION
IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT
SUN PROTECTION
ACCELERATE REGENERATION OF DAMAGED CELLS
ENHANCE WOUND HEALING
REDUCE SCAR FORMATION
PREVENT PREMATURE AGING
REVITALIZE ROUGH, DRY SKIN
The number one environmental cause of facial skin damage is overexposure to the sun. The second major cause is the cumulative effects of our modern lifestyles, specifically over-cleansing, use of synthetic detergents, harsh chemical treatments, and overexposure to synthetic fragrances.
This is where Hyaluronic Acid and seaweed extract can play a big role in improving skin function and appearance.
Seaweed extract and HA can draw in and hold up to a thousand times their weight in water. Applied to our skin, they form a thin, non-greasy force field between us and the big wide world, holding moisture in and preventing it from escaping.
Both HA and Seaweed extract stimulate a healthy immune and injury response, reduce inflammation, and protect the skin from sun damage.
HYALURONIC ACID
HA is a naturally occurring, structural component of our skin. It's found in every tissue, and all fluids in the body, with half of it concentrated in our skin! It has a lot of functions and takes on many shapes. But its main purpose is to protect the structure of our skin cells by helping to form "water cushions" filling up the space between cells. This is why babies and kids have super plump, supple skin, smooth and silky to the touch.
It's no surprise that HA levels in our bodies fall as we age. On average, the skin of someone at 50 has about half the HA of someone in their 20s. We also produce less lubricating skin oils as we age, and our skin becomes thinner and weaker, especially after menopause.
Aging skin is thinner and has fewer oils and HA. It is much more vulnerable and more easily damaged by the sun. Moisture loss increases and skin can become dehydrated quickly. In the elderly, this is a chronic concern. Most pre- and post-menopausal women list "dry skin" and dry skin-related issues as their number one skin health concern.
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HA can dry your skin out - serums called "pure hyaluronic acid" or Hyaluronic Acid 1% need to be used with care. HA will draw water from wherever it can, that includes your own body.
If you have dry skin or you live in a dry climate, you can prevent this by adding ample "moisture" when using HA. Spritz with water, toner, hydrosol, Aloe juice, etc.) before applying a HA serum so the HA has something to grab hold of and doesn't pull water out of the top layers of your skin.
An HA formula that includes moisturizing and conditioning ingredients is a better choice than a “pure hyaluronic acid serum 1%.
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There is ample evidence that topical applications of HA can resupply our skin cells to some extent.
Some studies also indicate that topical HA of different molecular weights shows different absorption rates but that ALL forms of HA create a protective film even at rates as low as .1%, helping to smooth and soften skin, restore elasticity, and plump it up, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
COLD WATER SEAWEED EXTRACT
Seaweed extracts have taken the skin industry by storm, and their benefits continue to be discovered. They are being studied for their anti-bacterial, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative properties, as well as offering protection from the sun.
Cold water seaweed species Sargassum vulgare, Botryocladia occidentalis, and Hypnea musciformis provide a large dose of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, proteins, essential fatty acids, and a host of powerful healing compounds. Many of which we are just starting to understand. These species are proven to accelerate the regeneration of damaged cells, enhance wound healing, reduce scar formation, prevent premature aging, and revitalize rough, dry skin. These marine plants also have a positive role to play in cellular glycation. Cellular glycation is a primary factor in skin aging. Glycation weakens the skin structure at a cellular level, resulting in looser skin and the formation of lines and wrinkles. These seaweed species also help prevent the breakdown of elastin and collagen, primary protein building blocks of skin, and stimulate the skin to form new fibroblasts and collagen.
Marine plants also have immune-stimulating effects; studies show that keratinocytes are produced on the skin when exposed to UV radiation and pollution. Keratinocytes serve as a barrier between an organism and its environment, preventing toxins and pathogens from entering and performing as immune modulators, stimulating or suppressing the immune system, and potentially helping to fight cancer, infection, or other disease.
Glycerin in Skincare: one of nature’s miracles …. or something else?
Finally, Don’t overlook the power of Glycerin!
Taking care of our skin does more than help it look its best; it helps it do its job.
Preserving and protecting your skin isn't just vanity; it's wise, preventative medicine.
RELEVANT PEER REVIEW RESEARCH:
Marine algae an attractive source of skincare
Seaweed extract helps reduce wrinkles and enhance skin appearance