Sodium hyaluronate is a type of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that is found in the body. When used in skincare products, sodium hyaluronate can provide numerous benefits for the skin.
Some of the key benefits of sodium hyaluronate in skincare include:
- Hydration: Sodium hyaluronate is an excellent moisturiser that can help to hydrate the skin. It has the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which means that it can help to lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated.
- Anti-aging: Sodium hyaluronate can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As we age, our skin loses some of its natural hyaluronic acid, which can contribute to the development of wrinkles. By adding sodium hyaluronate to your skincare routine, you can help to replenish your skin's hyaluronic acid levels and improve the overall texture and appearance of your skin.
- Skin repair: Sodium hyaluronate can help to promote skin repair by stimulating the production of collagen. Collagen is a protein that is essential for maintaining the structure and elasticity of the skin. By boosting collagen production, sodium hyaluronate can help to improve the overall health of the skin.
- Anti-inflammatory: Sodium hyaluronate has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to soothe and calm irritated skin. It can be particularly beneficial for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Sodium hyaluronate is a hydrophilic molecule, which means it has an affinity for water and can attract and hold onto water molecules. When applied topically to the skin, sodium hyaluronate acts as a humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the environment and locks it into the skin.
Sodium hyaluronate has a unique ability to penetrate the skin's layers and bind to water molecules, which helps to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. When sodium hyaluronate is applied to the skin, it forms a film on the surface that helps to lock in moisture and create a more youthful, radiant appearance. This protective barrier that helps to prevent moisture loss, which is particularly beneficial for individuals with dry or dehydrated skin.
In addition to its moisturising properties, sodium hyaluronate also helps to improve the skin's barrier function. The skin's barrier is composed of a complex network of lipids, proteins, and other molecules that help to keep the skin healthy and protected. When the barrier is compromised, the skin can become dry, irritated, and more susceptible to environmental damage.
Sodium hyaluronate helps to support the skin's barrier by promoting the production of ceramides, which are a type of lipid that help to strengthen the skin's barrier and prevent moisture loss. By improving the skin's barrier function, sodium hyaluronate can help to keep the skin hydrated and healthy, while also reducing the risk of skin damage.
Overall, sodium hyaluronate is an effective ingredient for hydrating the skin by attracting and retaining moisture, while also promoting the skin's barrier function to prevent moisture loss and improve overall skin health.
As we age, the skin's natural levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) decrease, leading to dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. Sodium hyaluronate can help to reverse the signs of ageing by replenishing the skin's natural levels of HA.
In addition to its hydrating properties, sodium hyaluronate also helps to stimulate collagen production. Collagen is a protein that provides the skin with its structure and elasticity, and as we age, our collagen levels decrease, leading to sagging skin and wrinkles. Sodium hyaluronate helps to boost collagen, which can help to improve skin firmness, elasticity, and overall texture.
Sodium hyaluronate also has antioxidant properties that can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress, which can lead to premature ageing, inflammation, and skin damage. By neutralising free radicals, sodium hyaluronate helps to protect the skin from damage and promote healthy skin ageing.
Overall, sodium hyaluronate can help to reduce or reverse the signs of ageing by replenishing the skin's natural levels of hyaluronic acid, hydrating the skin, stimulating collagen production, and protecting the skin from damage caused by free radicals.
Sodium hyaluronate has anti-inflammatory properties due to its ability to modulate the immune response in the skin.
When the skin is inflamed, immune cells such as macrophages and T-cells are activated, releasing inflammatory molecules such as cytokines and chemokines. These molecules can cause redness, swelling, and discomfort.
Sodium hyaluronate helps to reduce inflammation by interacting with these immune cells. It can bind to receptors on the surface of immune cells, inhibiting their activation and reducing the release of inflammatory molecules. This helps to calm inflammation and reduce the associated symptoms.
In addition, sodium hyaluronate can also help to stimulate the production of anti-inflammatory molecules in the skin, such as interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-beta. These molecules help to suppress inflammation and promote tissue repair.
Overall, sodium hyaluronate acts as an anti-inflammatory by modulating the immune response in the skin, reducing the release of inflammatory molecules, and promoting the production of anti-inflammatory molecules. This makes it an effective ingredient in skincare products designed to soothe and calm irritated or inflamed skin.
References:
- Crowley, C., & Payne, J. E. (2017). Sodium hyaluronate in the treatment of tissue injury. Current drug targets, 18(5), 546-551.
- Brown, T. J., Alcorn, D., & Fraser, J. R. (1999). Absorption of hyaluronan applied to the surface of intact skin. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 113(5), 740-746.
- Lin, C. W., Tsai, M. H., Liang, C. J., & Yen, F. L. (2019). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. International journal of molecular sciences, 20(19), 4948.
- Pavicic, T., Gauglitz, G. G., Lersch, P., Schwach-Abdellaoui, K., Malle, B., Korting, H. C., & Farwick, M. (2011). Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment. Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD, 10(9), 990-1000.
- Papakonstantinou, E., Roth, M., & Karakiulakis, G. (2012). Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermato-endocrinology, 4(3), 253-258.
