About Hyaluronic Acid

When it comes to hyaluronic acid, we might hear about it. Since there are so many ads in our daily life that mention the function of hyaluronic acid, when you go to the supermarket or pass the business building along the way to work, you might note the main function of hyaluronic acid is moisturizing. Indeed, moisturizing. Do you know why and how it could have this function? And besides this function, what other functions it also has ? So today, I will make a brief introduction of hyaluronic acid.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a kind of mucopolysaccharide, which is an advanced polysaccharide composed of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine. It is generally a white amorphous solid, colorless and odorless, highly hygroscopic, easily soluble in water but insoluble in organic solvents. Hyaluronic acid has high viscosity and excellent biocompatibility. It also has the functions of moisturizing, lubricating, anti-inflammatory, and promoting repair, so it is widely used in daily life.

Hyaluronic acid is one of the main matrix components of the epidermis and dermis of human skin. Its physiological function is to enable water to enter the interstitial space and combine with proteins to form a protein gel, which binds the cells together and performs normal functions.?Cell metabolism plays a role in maintaining cell moisture, protecting cells from pathogenic bacteria, speeding up the recovery of skin tissue, improving wound healing and regeneration, reducing scars, and enhancing immunity.

What are the main function of hyaluronic acid in skincare?

Moisturizing

Hyaluronic acid is a macromolecular mucopolysaccharide with DN-acetylglucosamine and D-glucuronic acid as structural units. Due to the hydrogen bond between monosaccharides on the linear axis of hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid The inner side of the column with a rigid helical column structure where acid molecules are spatially rigid has strong hydrophilicity due to the presence of a large number of hydroxyl groups, and hyaluronic acid molecules lock the bound water molecules in its double helical column structure, making it difficult to lose water Therefore, it has a special water-retaining effect. It is the best moisturizing substance in nature found so far, and is called an ideal natural moisturizing factor (NMF). It can firmly lock the moisture 1000 times its own weight, and can make the skin maintain sufficient moisture and full elasticity for a long time. Experiments show that the moisturizing essence?with hyaluronic acid as the main ingredient can significantly increase the moisture content of the skin by 300% within 6 hours. And lasting moisture for 72 hours.

Relieving?skin aging

In addition to moisturizing effects, hyaluronic acid also plays an important role in the metabolism of the human epidermis. The reduction and destruction of hyaluronic acid content can cause skin loss of water, fine lines, loss of elasticity, and accelerated skin aging. Therefore, hyaluronic acid is also known as an anti-aging factor.

Anti-UV

When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, epidermal cells produce inflammatory factors (a substance secreted by cells that can cause inflammation). These inflammatory factors not only cause skin "inflammation", but also activate pigment cells to produce melanin and other skin problems.

In order to verify the effect of hyaluronic acid on the "damage of ultraviolet rays on the skin", researchers are focusing on the typical inflammatory factors "prostaglandin E2" and "interleukin 1α" (cell secretion substances that help melanocytes produce melanin). Hyaluronic acid has the effect of inhibiting the production of "prostaglandin E2" and "interleukin 1α" caused by ultraviolet radiation. By inhibiting these inflammatory factors, it is expected to participate in the inhibition of inflammation and the production of melanin, thereby reducing the damage caused by the sun.

--- Bill Chen (Sept.07. 2021)

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