“I’m 19, is it too early for hyaluronic acid lotion?"

To effectively answer this question, let's look at what hyaluronic acid is, when its levels start to drop (so replenishing makes sense) and if early start with hyaluronic acid can make skin ‘lazy’ in producing its own.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a gel-like component that naturally occurs in the body (50% of which is located in the skin). It's water-binding and water-attracting. It fills up the spaces between connective fibres of collagen and elastin and it directly supports the formation and maintenance of collagen. This means that when hyaluronic acid levels in the skin drop, collagen and elastin don’t get to fully do their “job” to keep the skin firm and elastic as they are missing the binding component.

Hyaluronic acid like no other biological substance can retain over 1000 times its weight in water by which providing much needed moisture in connective fibres.

Image from: https://www.amazon.com/ASDM-Beverly-Hills-Hyaluronic-Appearance/dp/B007SXVCWC

Hyaluronic acid levels drop with age – and they drop quite a lot quite fast because it starts from the moment we are born. By the time we are adults, hyaluronic acid’s content is only 1/20 what it was at the time of birth (the reason why baby’s skin is so plum and yummy is because it's filled with hyaluronic acid).

It’s not only age that make hyaluronic acid levels drop. It's possible even for a very young person to experience its early depletion for example due to excessive sun exposure or high impact exercise.

When skin is lacking hyaluronic acid, even if collagen & elastin are fully “stocked”, there is not enough moist connective tissues between fibers to effectively bounce back folds and creases that occur due to mimics (which is the most common reasons for wrinkles on young skin) and other factors. This means lines will show earlier and will deepen faster comparing to the skin supple with hyaluronic acid.

Often although at first skin damages may not be visible to bare eye, the break of structure has already happened in the deeper skin layers which will inevitably lead to wrinkles later in life. Once inner skin structure is interrupted, it's pretty much irreversible. Replenishing hyaluronic acid on regular basis helps to prevent and delay these damages.

Image from: http://www.gesundheit.co.nz/anti-angiogenesis/wrinkle-angiogenesis.html

Interestingly it is the belief of Western societies that anti-aging regime shouldn't begin before individual is in their mid to late 20’s. However by then a lot of invisible, irreversible damages are already done. In Asia it is normal to look after the skin from early teenage years with simple cosmetics that include Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid in order to prevent the ageing process rather than trying to mask already occurred “devastation”.

The girl on the picture cannot be older than 15 yet her skin already shows typical damage caused by excessive sun exposure (freckles and fine lines).

If she started using hyaluronic acid now, it would minimise the appearance of existing lines and help them not to develop further because its molecules swells after they absorb water which plumps lines on the spot.

I’m not saying every teenager will definitely need topical hyaluronic acid, but we never really know if our hyaluronic acid levels are sufficient, especially in today’s polluted environment. Supplying an extra will allow the skin to use it if it needs it.

I was around 19 when I noticed my first tiny wrinkles on the forehead and under eyes after working several night shifts in a row. When I was around 21 I started using hyaluronic acid lotion by Hada Labo (which I still use today). I can tell from my own experience - little wrinkles I got when I was 19 are still there but although time passed, they didn’t grow further and I haven't noticed much new wrinkles on my now 28 year old face. My face is definitely changing but changes appear softly and gently – which I believe is due to a properly hydrated skin ensured by continuous use of hyaluronic acid.

The answer to the question whether or not the skin get’s “lazy” from using external moisturiser, from my research remains unconfirmed – from what I've read and understood about the skin care, especially having the knowledge about Asian anti-aging beauty regimes that start very early with great long term effects, I do not believe topical products can damage skin’s ability to produce its own. Here are a couple of pages that confirm this view (here and here) but I also found this article which gives a reason to pause and think.

Why Hada Labo?

Hada Labo lotion has been the first product with hyaluronic acid I used and after 7 years I still stand by it. What I like about it is that it provides 4 different types of hyaluronic acid which works from inside out. Some do not believe this acid can penetrate the skin, but new studies prove that smaller particles (which are present in Hada Labo lotion) can indeed get into and moisturise skin from within (read about it here and here).

Hada Labo formula is simple, suitable for all skin types, doesn’t contain irritants, it’s noncomedogenic (it doesn’t clog the pores), it's affordable and a 170ml bottle lasts veeeery long time (you only need a drop or two at the time). You can find detailed breakdown of ingredients here.

Image from Hada Labo lotion commercial

You can buy it for example here on eBay with Worldwide delivery but it's also available on e.g. Amazon or Yesstyle.com.

To sum up, I believe being 19 years old is not too early to start using hyaluronic acid. Nothing suggests adding this gentle ingredient to early skin care routine can be harmful and actually the above show this can greatly help protecting young skin from premature damages. If Hada Labo is not your choice, there are plenty other cosmetics that contain hyaluronic acid which could be equally as effective.

Many thanks,

Olga :)

#dewy #skincare #antiaging #goodread