Why Hyaluronic Acid Is Often Paired with Vitamin C in Skin Care Products 

 

Check out the shelf of your local beauty and wellness shop, and you’ll notice two ingredients are often paired in skin care products: hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.

It’s not a coincidence. Hyaluronic acid aids in keeping the skin moisturized, while vitamin C protects from sun damage and can support the skin to recover from skin discoloration. Both ingredients can help reduce the signs of aging in skin and they are a very successful combination.

 

Learn How Each Ingredient Aids Your Skin Care

 

Hormonal changes happen due to aging and make our skin drier and less elastic. Oxidative damage (from the sun’s ultraviolet rays as well as the body’s daily metabolic functions) also impacts the synthesis of collagen, a very important protein that makes up the skin and other connective tissue.

 

Hyaluronic Acid

 

Hyaluronic acid is a molecule naturally produced by the body that’s found in bones, connective tissue, cartilage, hair follicles and skin. It aids in the moisturization of the skin. Moisturization of the skin allows the improvement of skin texture. Hyaluronic acid acts as a sponge and it aids pulling the water to the outer skin layer, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Department of Dermatology.

Research suggests that applying hyaluronic acid to the face may help:

  • Moisturize the skin
  • Decrease the appearance of wrinkles on your skin
  • Enhance skin firmness and elasticity
  • Support your skin’s regeneration process
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    Hyaluronic acid creams and other supplements may be particularly useful as the skin ages, especially as the levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin drop with age. The skin loses water and moisture as we age, and this ingredient will help store hydration. Using hyaluronic acid will result in a softer, plumper and even skin tone. Fine lines and wrinkles can improve as well. 

     

    Vitamin C

     

    Vitamin C is perhaps the most suitable antioxidant for topical application, says Zeichner.

    Applying vitamin C to the skin may help:

  • Protect the skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays
  • Prevent premature skin aging by protecting the skin from oxidative stress and other metabolic processes
  • Boost the synthesis of collagen
  • Reduce skin pigmentation 
  • Have an anti-inflammatory effect to help treat acne and rosacea
  • Exfoliate skin
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    Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are commonly used together because they complement each other to hydrate, protect, and repair aging skin, says Zeichner.

    Also Vitamin C can be irritating or cause dryness and Hyaluronic acid is a good combination to vitamin C because it does not overwork the skin. This combination also allows for moisturization of the skin and provides the necessary ingredients for the skin to heal.

    If however you do not want to choose the option of topical application on the skin, you can try this product which includes high absorption collagen.

     

    Does The Combination Of Vitamin C And Hyaluronic Acid Work?

     

    Science suggests that both hyaluronic acid and vitamin C help moisturize the skin, even out redness and discoloration, and reduce signs of aging. Research shows that on a controlled trial of 50 women, compared to a placebo pill, applying a 20% vitamin C serum had numerous benefits to the skin color, elasticity and reduction of wrinkles (1).

    Another study found similar results and additionally mentioned vitamin C reduced signs of photoaging and supported new collagen formation (2).

    As for hyaluronic acid, a 2014 study involving 33 women that applied a 0.1 percent hyaluronic acid cream twice daily for 2 months decreased the depth of wrinkles up to 40%, improved skin hydration up to 96% and boosted both skin firmness and elasticity (3).

    There aren't any risks when pairing these ingredients together. But if your skin is sensitive to either ingredient, you should avoid it.

     

    Liability Disclaimer: This article, including tips, provides general information only. It is in no way a substitute for expert medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for moscanre information. Herbalista assumes no responsibility for this information.