Is Hyaluronic Acid the Fountain of Youth?

Hyaluronic Acid is also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate. It occurs naturally throughout the body. It binds water and lubricates parts of the body that move. (ie. Joints and muscles). It is found in just about every cell of our bodies with higher concentrations found in some locations more than others. It holds 1000 times its weight in water. Its greatest concentration is found in the skin. Fifty percent of your body's hyaluronic acid is found in your skin.

It was first discovered commercially in 1942 when Endre Balazs applied for a patent to use it as a substitute for egg white in bakery products. He has gone on to become a hyaluronic acid expert and has helped to discover many more commercial uses.  

Its job is to work with the collagen in your skin and keep it hydrated. Collagen gives skin its firmness. Think of collagen as a rubber band. The rubber band stretches a million times. Just like our skin does as we smile for example. Over time that rubber band will dry out if it is not hydrated. Hyaluronic acid keeps the rubber band, or collagen, hydrated so it stays firm. Without hyaluronic acid, the collagen would end up breaking down and cause dry skin and wrinkles. As we get older our bodies produce less and less hyaluronic acid. Our skin's ability to hold water decreases. So we are left with dry skin and wrinkles.

This is where the we have to be careful with the claims made about hyaluronic acid. The molecules of hyaluronic acid are very large which makes it very difficult to penetrate the skin when applied topically. Injecting it works very well. Applying it topically will not get rid of your wrinkles as it would injecting it. However, it does work wonders as a moisturizer for your skin. It does minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles but does not necessarily get rid of them. Is it the Fountain of Youth? Probably not. However, it is a very important ingredient in any moisturizer.