Is Hyaluronic Acid Good For Acne Scars
Acne scars are difficult to get rid of and can be permanently damaging to ones skin, especially if they are indented scars like icepick or boxcar scars. Some people believe that hyaluronic acid helps acne scars, but in reality, it is not likely to help eliminate scarring. There is no solid evidence that supports the idea that hyaluronic acid will get rid of acne scarring.
However, hyaluronic acid does help stimulate collagen production, which in turn, can help with indented acne scarring. Indented acne scarring occurs when the collagen in the skin is damaged from the inflammation process. In order to get rid of hypertrophic acne scars, collagen needs to be rebuilt and since hyaluronic acid can help stimulate collagen, it can certainly help with acne scarring. However, for most indented acne scarring, you will need professional treatments like lasers, microneedling, etc. Hyaluronic acid can help, but only so much.
For pigmented acne scars, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, hyaluronic acid cant do much. It can help speed up wound healing and make the scar a little more short-lived, but thats about it. Youll have much better luck with things like vitamin c, retinoids, lighteners and chemical exfoliants.
Hyaluronic Acid For Skin Care : Benefits Results Uses And Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP
Search for skin care advice and youll quickly stumble onto hyaluronic acid, a naturally-occurring substance thats used by your body for everything from wound healing to inflammation.
Hyaluronic acid is abundant in your body. In fact, a typical 154-pound person has approximately 15 grams of hyaluronic acid in them at any time for healthy skin growth and development.
As one of the most important components of strong, healthy skin, hyaluronic acid is a hot topic in the world of skin care right now.
Over the last decade, its made its way from cosmetic clinics into the world of mainstream skin care, becoming a popular ingredient in everything from masks and serums to moisturizers like our Moisturizer for Men.
As strange as it may seem to apply an acid to your face for better skin, theres lots of scientific evidence to back up hyaluronic acids effectiveness.
Unfortunately, like many other popular skin care ingredients, separating the reality of hyaluronic acid from the hype can be tough.
Many skincare brands make misleading claims about how and why hyaluronic acid functions as a skin care ingredient, as well as the type of results you can expect from it.
As a consumer, knowing whats legitimate and what isnt can help you get the best results from hyaluronic acid, all while avoiding costly but ineffective treatments.
How Does Salicylic Acid Help With Acne
Its crucial to know what causes acne in the first place if you want to understand how salicylic acid can help minimize breakouts. Though there are several reasons people may get acne , the most common cause is clogged pores. When a pore becomes clogged, the oil that your skin naturally produces can mix with dirt and bacteria and cause the area to become inflamed . Salicylic acid interrupts this process by helping to exfoliate the skins surface, reducing the likelihood of pores getting clogged in the first place.
If a pore does become clogged, a spot treatment, such as Blue Herbal Spot Treatment, can help clear it up. This targeted formula features 1.5 percent salicylic acid to help clear blemishes, blackheads and whiteheads.
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Is It Safe To Use Every Day What Are The Side Effects
In general, hyaluronic acid products, supplements, and injects are safe if people follow the instructions on how to use them. However, hyaluronic acid may produce allergic reactions and side effects in some people. Therefore, it is always recommended to use a test patch before you start using a new skin product containing this substance.
People receiving injections with hyaluronic acid may experience some side effects that usually disappear within a week. Their side effects include:
- Redness
- Bruising
- Swelling
However, in most cases, these side effects are a result of the injection process itself rather than hyaluronic acid.
In general, hyaluronic acid rarely causes any side effects because it is naturally produced by our bodies. However, if you have a history of serious allergic reactions, you should be careful when using products containing hyaluronic acid.
One popular product with hyaluronic acid is the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream. Learn more about this product along with more affordable options here.
Dont Shy Away From Water
Often youll see that water is the first ingredient on your hyaluronic acid product. It may seem like a useless ingredient, as if its diluting the product, but it actually helps make the hyaluronic acid more effective. Having a more water-based product rather than a cream, oil, or gel will allow the product to penetrate the skin easier, Gasquet says.
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Hyaluronic Acid Helps Acne
As Dr. Frieling mentioned, HA is extremely beneficial to those with acneic skin, because it helps to replenish the moisture often lost with use of antibacterial products and clarifying acids while still allowing the skin to breathe. HA has also been proved to help speed the healing process of skin wounds, including those from acne lesions and scarring left behind from old blemishes.
Does Hyaluronic Acid Clear Skin
While hyaluronic acid doesnt contain antibacterial or exfoliating agents like traditional acne fighting products, hyaluronic acid can still help acne! It just does so in a different way.
As we discussed above, hyaluronic acid help to keep skin cell turnover in check. When your skin is lacking hydrating and moisture, skin cells cannot shed themselves effectively, so they end up getting trapped in pores. This can lead to blackheads, closed comedones, cystic acne and other types of acne.
Hyaluronic acid also helps to keep the skins protective moisture barrier strong, so that it can defend against acne-causing bacteria and other irritants. When skins moisture barrier is damaged, your skin cannot protect itself as well against bacteria, so bacteria can enter your pores, which can lead to acne.
When it comes to clearing skin, keeping the moisture barrier strong is key. Most acne fighting ingredients can damage the moisture barrier pretty easily.
Another benefit of using hyaluronic acid for acne is that HA can help with wound healing and inflammation. So if you have inflammatory types of acne , hyaluronic acid can help speed up healing and reduce inflammation and overall get rid of acne quicker.
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Hyaluronic Acid: Can It Heal Acne Or Acne Scars
I wont hide the final answer: hyaluronic acid isnt the new dermatology cure-all. Fortunately, theres some evidence this ingredient might make a replenishing skin moisturizer.
It wont solve all your skincare woes, but you might just fall in love with this hidden gem thats gaining popularity these last years.
While hyaluronic acid can be dangerous at too high a concentration, the right formula may treat acne scar blemishes, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and hydrate dry skin.
I want to talk about how to use hyaluronic acid correctly, how it works, and what ingredients to avoid or seek out.
What About Acne Scarring
Several studies point to the benefits of hyaluronic acid injections for acne scarring:
- A
- that also involved 12 participants with moderate to severe scarring found similar results. In this study, participants received two injections 4 weeks apart. The study authors reported significant improvement in the depth of scarring.
Topical hyaluronic acid can help, too:
- A 2017 study suggests topical hyaluronic acid serum may help reduce the appearance of acne scars when combined with CO2 laser resurfacing. When comparing the results of the combined treatment with those of CO2 laser resurfacing alone, researchers found that adding hyaluronic acid serum led to more improvement in scarring. It also had the added benefit of less recovery time and reduced side effects.
Hyaluronic acid can do other things for your skin, too.
According to , hyaluronic acid can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and improve skin elasticity. That said, youll probably get the most noticeable benefits with injections of hyaluronic acid, rather than serums you apply topically.
Plus, since hyaluronic acid helps keep skin hydrated and improves skin barrier function, it
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High Vs Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate can come in many different molecular sizes. And these are often measured in kilodalton . High Molecular Weight Hyaluronic acid is often described as > 500 kDa. While Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic acid is described as 10-500 kDa.
High Molecular Weight Sodium Hyaluronate will not penetrate the skin. Instead, it stays on top and attracts water to the outermost part of the skin. And if you live in a humid climate this means it will effectively take water from the air and retain it on your skins surface. Which is what you want.
But if you do not live in a humid climate, it will instead draw moisture from your deeper skin layers. And the drier the air, the more water it will pull from your dermis . Leaving you with a dehydrated dermis and less plumpness of your skin
The Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic acid works a bit differently since these have been split into smaller fragments. These smaller molecules have a less hydrating effect than the larger molecules. But instead, they can penetrate the skin much easier.
The problem with the Lower Molecular Weight Hyaluronic acid is that they are shown to trigger inflammation. And unnecessary inflammation is something you definitely want to avoid in your skin.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid And How Does It Work
As Dr Sam Bunting, Harley Street dermatologist and founder of Dr Sam Skincare Club, explains: Its a water-holding gel with the ability to hold 1000 times its own weight in moisture. When its applied topically, skin acts as a highly-effective barrier and those hyaluronic acid molecules are too big to squeeze through the dermis , which is where it needs to be to help plump lines and wrinkles.
So instead, it sits on the skins surface and acts as a moisturiser through its humectant properties.
That means it draws water into skin to keep it hydrated, supple and makes sure it keeps it functioning effectively as a barrier, says Dr Bunting.
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Does Oily Skin Need Hyaluronic Acid
Yes, it does! Oily skin still naturally has hyaluronic acid occurring in it, meaning it will highly benefit from the ingredient being applied topically to the skin. You should also consider the fact that all skin types can suffer from dehydration which can create signs of premature ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles to become more prominent. By applying hyaluronic acid to an oily skin you are helping it to remain hydrated and looking healthy with any blemishes or spots reduced. If you are having trouble trying to determine which skin type you are, check out our blog post about the 4 most common skin types.
There you have answers to some of the most popular questions about what hyaluronic acid do for acne. If you are wanting to know more we have a few more blog posts about how to treat acne and which are the best ingredients to use in a skincare routine when combating acne.
Don’t miss out on more skincare tips and expert advice over on our YouTube channel! Come and find us on The Green Sofa by hitting the subscribe button, you won’t regret it!
Is Hyaluronic Acid Good For Acne 8 Reasons To Add It To Your Routine
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A natural substance found in the body, hyaluronic acid is an essential component of our connective tissues. These connective tissues are found throughout our body especially in the eyes, joints, and skin.
Described as clear and gooey, its main function is to retain water to keep tissues well lubricated and moist. It also plays an important role in the health and appearance of our skin.
One of the biggest benefits of hyaluronic acid is its effectiveness for all skin types. Including oily, dry, or acne-prone with little to no side effects. Hyaluronic acid brings a multitude of advantages when added to your skincare routine.
And it improves skin health by reducing the effects of ageing on the skin. While reducing inflammation, redness, and swelling.
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Who Should Stay Away From Azelaic Acid
Downie says some of her sensitive-skin patients have also experienced stinging, burning and hyperpigmentation, “which is not typical, but it can happen.” She notes that hyperpigmentation typically occurs when applying azelaic acid to thinner skin areas near the lips or eyes. Downie suggests that if “you are super sensitive and everything stings, burns and irritates your skin,” do a patch test before committing to azelaic acid. Start on the back of your arm and, if there’s no reaction, apply it to your neck and your face last.
Topical Hyaluronic Acid For Acne Scars
Unfortunately, theres far less evidence that topical hyaluronic acid works as a treatment for acne scars.
In one study from 2017, researchers worked with 36 patients with atrophic acne scarring.
The patients were divided into two groups: One group received CO2 fractional ablative laser treatment, while the other received the CO2 fractional ablative laser treatment and a topical hyaluronic acid serum.
After three months of treatment, the patients who received hyaluronic acid in addition to the laser treatment had significantly enhanced results when compared to the patients who only received the laser treatment.
The researchers that conducted this study believe that topical hyaluronic acid could have a synergistic effect with Fractional CO2 laser treatmenta factor that could explain the better result in patients who received both treatments.
Its important to remember that this study wasnt of hyaluronic acid on its own, meaning the results cant be attributed solely to hyaluronic acid. Despite this, its an interesting study that shows hyaluronic acid might have benefits as a topical treatment for acne scarring.
Also Check: What To Do For Cystic Acne
Protect You From The Sun
As youd expect, skin care companies touting the use of hyaluronic acid for anti-aging and other skin care benefits have rushed to add it to their sunscreens.
While topical hyaluronic acid certainly helps to keep your skin moisturized, theres only minimal scientific proof that it offers any sun protection benefits.
As such, even if you use skin care products that contain hyaluronic acid, its still best to use an SPF 30+, water-resistant sunscreen whenever you spend time outdoors in sunny weather.
How To Get The Best Results
To max out your benefits, I often recommend that patients use a hydrating serum like hyaluronic acid before they apply their retinol cream, says Hartman. Hyaluronic acid plays well with most ingredients, while caution must be taken when using retinol in combination with alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, and some types of vitamin C.
Linkner echoes the tip about avoiding vitamin C. I also wouldnt advise using a vitamin C after hyaluronic acid, as it can increase the irritation effects of the ascorbic acid.
If youre new to this combo, its worth doing a patch test to see how your skin reacts to the amped-up duo. Because hyaluronic acid can increase the potency of the secondary product, Linkner says, it could potentially draw out the acclimation period when you first start using a retinol.
That said, retinol and hyaluronic acid are a match made in heaven. And if youre looking to level-up your skin-care routine with even more effective products, weve rounded up of some of our favoritesalong with a few other standout ingredients you should definitely have on your radar.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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What Are The Benefits Of Combining The Two
Good news: Retinol and hyaluronic acid actually have a synergistic effect. They can be combined so that the benefits of retinol can be achieved more easily with concomitant use of hyaluronic acid, which helps to prevent retinol irritation, says Hartman.
As for what that ultimately means when you look in the mirror: Overall texture should improve when using the two actives, as well as fine lines, says Linkner.
How Often Should I Use Hyaluronic Acid On My Face
A lot of people are asking themselves, How often should I use hyaluronic acid on my face? The answer is, It depends. If youre not a skin care expert or dermatologist, you probably dont have all the answers to that question, but there are still some things you need to know.
Many experts agree that you shouldnt over-use the stuff on your face. Some people think that hyaluronic acid facials make them look younger than they really are, but this isnt true. While they may help smooth out your wrinkles a bit, you shouldnt use them too often.
Your hyaluronic acid supply is declining, as you get older. You can replenish it by using skin care products, such as moisturizers, creams, and lotions.
You need to choose the right ones for your skin type, though, because they must be able to penetrate into the deepest layers of the skin. Otherwise, they will just sit on the surface until washed off.
If you use facial creams regularly, then you need to be careful about the kind you use. Facial creams that are too oily can clog your pores. These cause breakouts and can even cause scarring if theyre left too long.
On the other hand, moisturizing facial cream can leave your skin dry, which isnt good for you. Dry skin is more susceptible to wrinkles, which is why its so important to choose the right products for your skin type.
The water hydrates your skin, which makes it look healthier and smoother. Drinking water keeps your skin soft, which also decreases the occurrence of wrinkles.
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