Moisturizing Effect of Hyaluronic Acid and Plant Extracts

Skin Moisturizing Mechanism

The dermis is not only the main water storage site of the skin, but also the site of nutrient metabolism and exchange. The dermis is the thickest of the three layers of the skin, and its water content accounts for about 70% of the entire skin. The collagen fibers in the dermis can store a large amount of water. In addition, mucopolysaccharides in the dermal matrix such as hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate have a strong hydration capacity. Hyaluronic acid holds water in the tissues, thus changing the volume and compressibility of the dermis and affecting cell proliferation and differentiation as well as tissue repair. The dermis gets its water from subcutaneous tissues and capillaries, etc. When the dermis loses its filling, especially the reduction of hyaluronic acid, it leads to disorganization, thickening and collagen fragmentation of collagen fibers, leaving the entire skin with a disorganized elastic fiber, a phenomenon that changes irreversibly with age.

Skin Moisturization Methods

Endogenous Moisturization

The moisture content of the skin is related to many hydration components in the epidermis as well as in the dermis. The outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, acts as a barrier between the external environment and the body. This barrier protects against moisture loss and the intrusion of foreign objects, among other things. The stratum corneum is essential for maintaining the moisture content of the skin surface. In addition, ceramides are important structural components of the skin's epidermis and play an important role in maintaining the relative stability of the internal environment. The dermis plays a nutritional, structural, vascular support and wound repair role for the epidermis. Collagen fibers in the dermis not only store large amounts of water, but are also tough and tensile, giving the skin resilience and tone to resist external mechanical damage. Hyaluronic acid in the dermis constitutes the main protective barrier of the underlying tissues against the external environment, which not only binds with water to prevent water loss, but also has a role in scavenging free radicals, etc.

Exogenous moisturizing Depending on the sealing and moisturizing properties of exogenous moisturizers, their moisturizing hydration mechanisms are different: 

sealing components produce a thin layer of oil on the skin to prevent water evaporation; moisturizing components absorb water and retain water in the skin. Different moisturizers have different hydration capacities and have different effects on the degree of skin hydration. Water-soluble humectants in moisturizers temporarily increase skin hydration by absorbing into the epidermis. Among them, hyaluronic acid is considered to be an ideal natural moisturizing factor and is widely used in cosmetics. Lipids and other ingredients in moisturizers form a film on the skin surface to reduce transepidermal water loss, and lipids and other ingredients penetrate into the skin, cross the stratum corneum and mix with epidermal lipids to relieve dry skin and provide skin protection and physiological lipids.

Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid and Plant Extracts

Deep Hydration: Hyaluronic Acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. This property makes it an excellent hydrator.

Enhanced Skin Barrier: Plant extracts often contain antioxidants. These protect the skin from damage and help maintain its moisture barrier.

Improved Skin Texture: Continuous use of these ingredients can lead to smoother and softer skin.

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