Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid – A Key Molecule In Skin Aging

Abstract

Skin aging is a complex process that consists of 2 independent and distinct mechanisms that are intrinsic aging and extrinsic aging. Young skin retains resilience, pliability and its turgor due to more water content. Daily injury or exposure of the outer skin speeds up the aging process and leads to losing of moisture. The cause of lack of skin moisture is hyaluronic acid because it retains and binds water content and keeps skin moist. It is a slippery, gooey matter in which the body develops naturally. It is present in the whole body but mainly in skin, joints and eyes. It provides lubrication and cushion to the joints and tissues. Various kinds of HA are used in cosmetic practice. There are various places to control the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, cell and association and degradation of protein. So today we will read about hyaluronic acid, a key molecule skin aging in brief in this article.

Hyaluronic Acid, A Key Molecule In Skin Aging

Introduction

Hyaluronic acid which is a non sulfated GAG and consists of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and repeated disaccharide of D-glucuronic acid linked through a glucuronidic beta bond. It has anti inflammatory, anti-aging, and analgesic properties. It is a type of carbohydrate found in body tissues mainly in the eyes, joints and skin. It retains moisture to the body. It helps in hydrating the skin and healing the wound by reducing inflammation and improves blood circulation. Skin aging is a biological process that occurs with age. There are two biological independent processes. The first process is intrinsic aging that is an unpreventable process that affects the internal organs and is triggered by changes in hormones which happen with age. . The second biological process is extrinsic aging that is the effect of external factors like ultraviolet rays. Decline level of androgen and estrogen leads to collagen degradation, loss of elasticity, wrinkles, dryness and epidermal atrophy.

Benefits of HA

  • Hydrates the skin
  • Space filling capacity
  • Joints lubrication
  • Reduce wrinkles
  • Reduce scars
  • Severe pain
  • Reduce heartburn
  • Healer of wounds
  • Relieve joint pain
  • Relieve from acidity
  • Relieve from dry eyes
  • Enhance skin elasticity
  • Inhibit the urinary tract infection
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Reduce vaginal dryness
  • Cell migration

Causes Of Depletion Of HA

  • Aging:- With age hyaluronic acid is gradually decreased. 
  • Air pollution:- Harmful toxins present in air cause depletion of hyaluronic acid in the body.
  • Smoking:- Smoking is very injurious to health and declines the level of hyaluronic acid.
  • Nutrition:- Malabsorption or consuming low nutritional food causes depletion of hyaluronic acid in the skin.
  • Excessive sun exposure:- Excessive exposure of harmful radiation or free radical causes decline in hyaluronic acid or may cause skin cancer.
  • Alcohol consumption:- Alcohol is dangerous to health and may cause serious illness and is one of the reasons for depletion of hyaluronic acid.
  • Ultraviolet radiation:- These rays are very harmful to skin and cause early depletion of hyaluronic acid.

Symptoms Of Decline Of HA

Hyaluronic acid is produced by itself in the human body. But its amount decreases with age.

Following are the symptoms of decline HA:-

  • Joint pain
  • Dry and thin skin
  • Dry eyes
  • Dry mucous membrane
  • Restrict mobility
  • Wrinkles increased
  • Wound healing decreased
  • Decreased eye vision
  • Limp connective tissue

Mode Of Taking HA

  • By mouth
  • On your skin
  • Eye drops
  • By injection
  • By nebulizer/inhaler

Hyaluronic Acid In Skin Ageing

Skin aging is a process in which progressive decline of functional and development of the tissues of skin. Skin aging is directly related to loss of moisture. Main factor of aging may be the decrease of androgens and estrogen levels with age. Decline of both hormones leads to breakdown of collagen, loss of elasticity, dryness and wrinkles. The decline of the hyaluronic acid causes dryness in the skin and causes loss of elasticity and dry skin and wrinkles in the skin earlier. Hyaluronic acid provides moisture to the skin and allows the interchanges of sweat and moisture. It also prevents the skin from free radicals and harmful radiations like ultraviolet rays. It has the capacity to penetrate the top most layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum. It is very effective in healing the wound fast. That’s why hyaluronic acid is widely used in the cosmetic industry to form serums, eye drops, topical creams, etc. These products primarily work to increase the moisture level of skin. It improves the complexion of skin due to water molecule binding power. It prevents the harmful factors from penetrating deep regions of the skin.

Foods Rich In HA

Following are the foods which are rich in hyaluronic acid:-

  • Bone broth:- It is formed from bones simmering and animal’s connective tissue. It is a very nutritious drink. It is rich in collagen, protein, proline, chondroitin, glutamine and glucosamine. It provides hydration to the skin and boosts the natural glowing skin.  
  • Green leafy vegetables- It includes mustard greens, fennel greens, spinach, kale, etc. are rich in vitamins and minerals and they are full of beta carotene, vitamin B, vitamin E and antioxidants which stimulate the hyaluronic acid production and repair the damaged skin cells.
  • Nut and seed:- It includes walnuts, almonds, flax seeds, chia seeds, brazil nuts, pine nuts, cashew nuts and hemp are rich in nutrients that increase the hyaluronic acid production. 
  • Broccoli:- It is very beneficial in skin health and contains various vitamins and minerals that prevent the hyaluronic acid degradation in the human body. It has a great amount of vitamin C which keeps skin moist and enhances the production of collagen.
  • Soy product:- soybeans are eaten in various forms. The edamame, tofu, curds, tempeh and green soy are rich in the content of estrogen. Estrogen enhances the hyaluronic acid level and improves skin elasticity.
  • Fruits:- fruits do not contain HA but they can trigger the hyaluronic acid production and prevent the hyaluronic acid degradation.
  • Sweet potato:- It contains huge amounts of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin C which enhance the hyaluronic acid production.

Ayurvedic Overview

In Ayurveda hyaluronic acid is naturally found in mulberry, raspberry and the cassia angustifolia extracts. They are rich in high amounts of polysaccharides and galactomannan, which naturally copy the chemical composition of hyaluronic acid. They contain antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that maintain the skin healthy, prevent from UV rays or free radicals and reduce the inflammation. They also contain a great amount of vitamin A, carotenoids, vitamin E which helps in reducing dark spots, scars and keeps the skin young and smooth. It is proven that this extract is four times longer lasting and provides hydration to the skin than artificial hyaluronic acid. They also act as antimicrobial and protect from oxidation stress. They are used in various cosmetic products like toners, foundations, facial masks, anti aging creams, cleansers and facial masks. This provides less appearance of the scar, wrinkles and fine lines. It has natural multitasking ingredients that don’t easily dry, sag, dull, wrinkles in the skin. It has a vast speed of healing minor skin wounds or scars.

Conclusion

In the end we know that hyaluronic acid is a key molecule in skin aging due to its great properties. It is available in various forms like capsules, serums, creams, tonners, eye drops and injections. It is safe to use in the human body. In ayurveda we have herbs that contain natural hyaluronic acid that is mulberry extract, raspberry extract and cassia angustifolia extract. They have the same properties as hyaluronic acid. It provides various benefits to the skin like hydrating, lubrication to joints, promoting well functioning of eyes and wound healing. It also reduces the inflammation and toxins from the body.