Quench Your Skin’s Thirst with Hyaluronic Acid

Dry skin appears dull and is more prone to wrinkling as well as showing more advanced signs of aging.  In our arid Colorado climate, we are more likely to suffer from dehydrated skin. Quench its thirst with hyaluronic acid to restore the skin’s moisture loss, protect the skin and combat the signs of aging. Hyaluronic Acid is a sugar molecule that is naturally found in the body, most abundantly in the skin and in cartilage. It hydrates by drawing fluid into itself.  When it is abundant, it creates plump, youthfulness to the skin. During the aging process the body’s ability to create natural hyaluronic acid decreases just as it does with collagen and elastin.  Hyaluronic acid is also the active ingredient in injected dermal fillers, like Juvéderm®, Voluma®, Vollure® and Volbella®, used correct volume loss in the cheeks, temples, smile lines (nasolabial folds), marionette lines, tear trough and lips.

One of the best ways to promote natural hyaluronic acid product is through healthy dietary choices. Of course, adequate hydration is necessary and the minimum recommended fluid intake for an average adult is two liters of water a day. Bone broth is busting with hyaluronic acid, check out this recipe. Here’s a list of other diet-based hyaluronic acid heavy hitters: 

Soy-Based: tofu, tempeh, edamame

Root Vegetables: potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, jicama, Jerusalem artichoke

Fruits & Nuts: citrus fruits, tomatoes, bananas, avocado, nuts

Leafy Greens: spinach, collard greens, kale

Topical formulations of hyaluronic acid are found in many over-the-counter and clinical skin care products.  Topical hyaluronic acid is an absolutely HUGE molecule. A bit of an oxymoron, but in terms of the size of molecules, it is so large it cannot penetrate into the deepest layers of the skin. It works its magic in the outer most layer of the skin, called the stratum corneum. Here, topical hyaluronic acid will draw moisture from the air and prevent moisture loss to promote skin hydration, nourish the stratum corneum and protect the skin.  Daily use is recommended along regular skin exfoliation. Hyaluronic acid is particularly important following aggressive skin treatments like microneedling, chemical peels, radio-frequency or laser treatments as these treatments can leave the skin vulnerable to uncomfortable and risky dehydration. Additionally, hyaluronic acid can help minimize the side-effects of retinol use. Dandelion Medical Aesthetics recommends Lira Clinical’s ™ BIO Hydra Infusion for your skin’s drink of hyaluronic acid.