Does winter-dry skin make you want to hibernate this time of year? If so – you are not alone! The culprits may be winter wind, dry indoor air, or harsh soaps – but it can also be internal skin dehydration. At this time of year, the oral supplement Hyaluronic Acid (HA, Sodium Hyaluronate) which is naturally found in the body, has many benefits in securing moisture and creating more youthful and supple skin.
Our bodies roughly contain 15 grams of HA and it is found in virtually every part of the body. With such a widespread occurrence, it is logical that HA also has multiple functions. Scientific studies have shown that HA improves skin hydration, stimulates production of collagen in skin, works as an antioxidant and free radical scavenger, maintains skin elasticity, cushions joints and nerve tissues, has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity and maintains the fluid in the eye tissues, which may help to protect against numerous possible eye concerns.
At Skin MD and Beyond, we carry a nutritional line of supplements from Pure Encapsulation, which offer only the best products and ingredient with no gluten or preservatives. Read on to learn more on how Hyaluronic Acid Supplements can work for you!
Dr. Fiona Wright’s Tip:
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: Drinking water helps your skin stay young looking. In fact, it’s a myth. Water is good for your overall health and “the skin of someone who is severely dehydrated will benefit from fluids.” But for many people, “drinking A LOT of water” is hard to do during a busy work day! This is where Hyaluronic Acid (HA) supplements come in to play!
As we age, HA drops significantly and skin moisture is harder to retain, which makes the skin lose elasticity and exposes the signs of aging on the skin. HA plays a critical role in skin health with its unique ability to hold in moisture. Hyaluronic acid is also a “smart nutrient” as it can adjust its moisture absorption rate based on the humidity—relative to the season and the climate.
Although you can gain HA from certain foods like root vegetables, soy, and animal joints and cartilage; HA supplements can also be of benefit. For skin cells, HA is essential for proper cell-to-cell communication, hydration, nutrient delivery, and waste and toxin elimination. It also appears to support the skin by promoting healthy turnover and renewal of keratinocytes (the main cell found in the skin), moderating the appearance of fine lines and age spots.
Interestingly, at any one time, one-third of our HA is being “turned over” (degraded and synthesized) every day. But as we age, the production will slow down. To help with this dilemma, Skin MD and Beyond carries medical-grade Pure Encapsulations low molecular weight HyaMax® sodium hyaluronate, which provides hyaluronic acid to support skin hydration for a healthy and more youthful appearance.