Hyaluronic acid is a skincare ingredient that serves as an anti-aging regimen for your skin. Naturally, your body secretes hyaluronic acid. This makes the artificial form compatible with your skin.
Nonetheless, there are hyaluronic acid side effects your skin is likely to experience when you use it.
Here’s an overview, of the various side effects of hyaluronic acid that you should know.
Hyaluronic Acid Side Effects on Skin
If you want a skincare ingredient that is naturally suitable for your skin, hyaluronic acid is one skincare ingredients that will do.
It is a natural fluid contained in your skin, eyes, and joints. It enables enough moisture to keep them healthy.
With this, cosmetic hyaluronic acid blends seamlessly with your skin. It aids your skin in holding water to keep it fresh and smooth.
However, using hyaluronic acid for your skin comes with side effects. These side effects are skin reactions. It does not necessarily mean that hyaluronic acid is bad for you.
Usually, with continuous use, these side effects wear off. It applies to both the topical and oral forms of hyaluronic acid.
During the initial stage of using hyaluronic acid on your skin, your skin is likely to undergo some of the following skin irritations;
Skin Dryness
Skin dryness is one of the most common side effects of hyaluronic acid. As your skin undergoes the changes that hyaluronic acid initiates, your skin is likely to get drier. This is because hyaluronic acid is not a moisturizer even though it gives moisture to your skin.
Basically, hyaluronic acid draws moisture from the environment, leaving your skin open to the air. When this happens, if the air isn’t moist enough or the moisture isn’t sealed in, your skin gets dry in no time.
Itchiness
Using hyaluronic acid on your skin can cause you to itch more often than before. Hyaluronic acid as the name suggests is acidic. This can be hard on your skin at first, especially on sensitive skin.
Although ‘acidic’ in terms of skincare is healthy, using acidic products still results in skin irritation, and Itching is one of these irritations.
Acidic products cause your skin to itch because of their harshness. When harsh products touch your skin, the skin molecules react resulting in itching.
However, this does not apply to everyone because people have different bodies and as such react to products differently.
Pain
Hyaluronic acid injected into your joints helps to treat joint pain, but also causes slight pain in between your joints. The same goes for cosmetic hyaluronic acid.
When injected or applied on your skin, hyaluronic acid can make your skin sore, causing you to feel slight pains. The Pains from using hyaluronic acid on your skin aren’t usually severe.
Bruising
Your skin is likely to bruise when you use hyaluronic acid products on it. This is because hyaluronic acid molecules, in their topical form, are quite big for your skin pores to take in.
When you use hyaluronic acid on your skin, the molecules penetrate your skin. If your skin pores aren’t wide enough to take them in, these molecules force their way in, bruising your skin in the process.
However, this is not a common case with oral hyaluronic acid because the molecules are broken down and much smaller. With this, it is easier for your skin to open up, reducing the possibility of your skin bruising.
Skin Inflammation
Skin inflammation is one of the major side effects of hyaluronic acid. The acidic nature of hyaluronic acid products causes skin inflammation which usually lasts for a couple of days.
Skin inflammation causes your skin to look sore, and have the appearance of red patches.
Swelling
Your skin is liable to have swellings, using hyaluronic acid skincare products on it. This is because hyaluronic acid causes skin inflammation. As a result of this, your skin can appear puffy.
Topical Hyaluronic Acid Side Effects
The topical form of hyaluronic acid is found in fillers, creams, and serums. Their side effects differ from oral hyaluronic acid. They can cause your skin to bruise, itch, and appear scaly.
To cope well with these side effects, it is well-suited to use topical hyaluronic acid with a moisturizer or serum daily.
Oral Hyaluronic Acid Side Effects
Unlike topical hyaluronic acid, oral hyaluronic acid is in capsule, soft gel, and tablet form. Their side effects on your skin include; pain, skin inflammation, swelling, and skin dryness.
To deal with these side effects, it is good to use moisturizers and drink lots of water to stay hydrated always.
Are Hyaluronic Acid Side Effects Based on Skin Types?
No, they are not. Hyaluronic acid side effects apply to all skin types. oily, dry, and normal skin types are liable to develop some or possibly all hyaluronic acid side effects.
However, some skin types develop hyaluronic acid side effects earlier than others. For example, dry and sensitive skin is more prone to skin dryness and inflammation because of the density of the skin type.
Can Everyone Use Hyaluronic Acid?
Even though hyaluronic acid is ideal for all skin types, it is not for everyone. There are certain conditions that don’t permit the use of hyaluronic acid. These conditions, it is not just detrimental to your skin, but also to your overall health.
In essence, no one should use hyaluronic acid products in the following categories;
Kids: Toddlers and kids under age fifteen are not to use hyaluronic acid products. Whether it is oral or topical hyaluronic acid, the products are quite harsh on their skin. This tends to be too intense for the skin of kids to handle.
Apart from that, the natural hyaluronic acid in the body system of kids is high. So, using hyaluronic acid for kids is unnecessary.
Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers: During pregnancy and breastfeeding, your skin tends to be extra sensitive.
The extra sensitivity of your skin can lead to a serious breakout when you use acidic products like hyaluronic acid. It is better to use less acidic products to protect the health of your skin.
Allergies patient: If you have allergies, especially skin allergies it is best to keep away from hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is acidic and, this doesn’t go seamlessly for people with skin allergies.
Using hyaluronic acid on your skin when you have allergies can make your allergies worse. In this condition, it is safe to use skincare care products recommended by your dermatologist.
Cancer patients/survivors: Cancerous cells are aggressive cells, and they grow when there is rapid cell growth. Hyaluronic acid aids cell growth. This is why it can be risky to use for ex-cancer and cancer patients.
When Do Hyaluronic Acid Side Effects Kick In?
There isn’t a certain number of days or months when hyaluronic acid side effects start to show. Actually, hyaluronic acid side effects can kick in at any time.
Primarily, it is based on how your skin reacts to it. For some people, it takes days after using hyaluronic acid, for the side effects to kick in. For others, it kicks in during the first few weeks.
How Long Do Hyaluronic Acid Side Effects Last?
Hyaluronic acid side effects do not last for a long time. Typically, the side effects wear off after some days or weeks.
If the side effects last longer than a couple of weeks, it is important to check in with your dermatologist just to be safe.
FAQs
Can hyaluronic side effects be prevented?
No, they can not. Nonetheless, you can control them using products like moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens with it. These products help to minimize the side effects of hyaluronic acid on your skin.
Is acne one of hyaluronic acid side effects?
No, it is not. Hyaluronic acid does not clog your skin pores. So, it cannot cause your skin to have skin breakouts like acne.
However, using hyaluronic acid products can make your acne appear worse because it causes skin dryness. Not to worry, the skin dryness is only for a while.
Can hyaluronic acid increase your risk of skin cancer?
Yes, it can. However, this only applies to people with cancer history. Primarily, the risk is connected to oral hyaluronic acid due to the fact that It increases cell growth. This promotes the re-growth of cancerous cells.
Conclusion
Although hyaluronic acid aids moisture production in your skin, it also causes your skin to react. These skin reactions are temporary skin irritations that only last for a couple of weeks.
They are not abnormal and do not mean that hyaluronic acid is bad to use for your skin. Although, it can be bad for kids, pregnant women, and cancer patients.
Nonetheless, hyaluronic acid products are good for all skin types. They help your skin stay thick and smooth.
Thanks for reading.
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