You may have heard the term hyaluronic acid (HA) before. It’s used a lot nowadays in topical anti-wrinkle moisturizing creams and serums for the face. It can be found in drugstore brands and high-end products as well.
But what exactly is HA?
HA is actually a substance produced by the body. It’s found in the skin, eyes, connective tissue and cartilage. It helps the body retain water to keep everything lubricated.
Basically it binds with water to make everything moist and plump.
Unfortunately, with age, production of HA by the body decreases.
But HA is available in the form of lotions, creams, serums, injections, supplements (pills and powder) and eye drops.
You can also find it in leafy greens, bone broth, root vegetables and citrus fruits.
HA is being used in eye surgeries, dermal fillers, injections for joints and osteoarthritis pain.
HA can make you look and feel younger. Here are some of the benefits:
- Improves skin texture
- Alleviates joint pain
- Relieves dry eye
- Slows down the rate of bone loss
- Reduces symptoms of acid reflux
- Speeds up wound healing
The form of HA that you may want to use will depend on the benefit you are needing or wanting.
If you have or have had cancer, though, speak to your doctor before using HA. And the same goes for nursing or pregnant women.
For a topical anti-aging serum it can get pricey. But you can make your own for pennies.
I make it for myself and my mom (she loves it) all the time. She’ll just say, “I need some more of that stuff, I really like it.” And I know exactly what she wants :).
I actually gave the recipe in a hacks article a few months back but here it is again in case you missed it:
Mix 2 Tbsp of distilled water with ⅛ of a tsp of HA powder (available on Amazon) to a dropper bottle. Refrigerate for a few hours until it becomes a gel. Keep refrigerated unless you have added some Vitamin E to preserve. Should last 2-3 weeks. When it starts to smell weird I toss it out and make a fresh batch. Also be sure to purchase HA powder that is from sodium hyaluronate – the salt of HA. It’s the only way it can be absorbed topically.
For a healthier you!
Sandy DeRose
