Why hyaluronic acid is the game changer when it comes to the menopause
Hyaluronic acid… You’ve probably heard the words bandied around quite a lot lately, as the ingredient is something of a zeitgeist in the beauty world at the moment. But for good reason, too, because used correctly, it has the ability to transform your approach to skincare and wellbeing, and can actively help in the menopause, too. Sounds a bit too good to be true, doesn’t it? Let’s dive into learning more about it.
THE SCIENCE BIT
Okay, so what is hyaluronic acid, exactly? In science speak, it’s a group of sugar molecules called polysaccharides that occur naturally in the body's connective tissues and that help to lubricate and cushion. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning a substance that retains water. In fact, according to Harvard Health, ‘it is capable of binding over one thousand times its weight in water.’
So, in everyday language? Hyaluronic acid is an active ingredient, both in beauty products and naturally occurring in our body, when it comes to maintaining hydration, plumpness and elasticity in the skin but it can be adversely affected by things such as free radicals.
WHY SO BEAUTIFUL?
But why has it become so readily available within beauty products, and what benefit can it have to us? When used in a topical way, hyaluronic acid can, in lotions, serums and creams, drastically and quickly increase the skin's moisture levels.
In terms of skincare products, it’s a great way to enable them to be able to keep our skin moisturised all day long. It has a smart way of making your cells keep hold of as much moisture as possible, but cleverly regulates the moisture within the cells too, so as not to overload our bodies. It’s an all round winner, too, and can focus on many different beauty complaints. It has been shown to minimise signs of aging, plump and hydrate the skin, and as a result, make fine lines and wrinkles less visible to the eye.
Essentially, over time, our body’s stores of hyaluronic acid begin to decline, just as they do with collagen and elastin too. Environmental and lifestyle factors such as smoking or pollution can also speed up the process.
GAME CHANGER FOR MENOPAUSE
Which is what brings us to the menopause. Let’s face it, anyone in the throws of the menopause may well just be dreaming of a game changer, something to alleviate some of the symptoms and something to make the change feel a little more bearable - are we right?
One of the most painful and debilitating symptoms of the menopause is vaginal atrophy, an inflammation of the vagina due to thinning vaginal tissues, caused by a drop in concentration of the hormone estrogen. It’s where HRT has come into play for many women in the menopause, but for the last few years, researchers have been looking into more natural therapies.
Step in hyaluronic acid. A 2021 study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that hyaluronic acid achieves similar results to hormonal treatments like HRT in correcting tissue shrinkage, vaginal pH, difficult or painful intercourse, and cell growth.
But also, declines to the levels of sex hormones (progesterone and oestrogen) in our bodies prompts many skin changes too including hot flushes, sweats, incredibly dry and flakey skin, looser less plump skin and dull complexion.
Post-menopause often leads to dryness and itchiness, too, and if you haven’t worked it out already, then that is definitely somewhere that hyaluronic acid can step in to help! Moisturising daily with a product containing the ingredient will allow your skin to retain as much water as possible and keep it looking supple, less dry and more plump. Essentially, those with more mature skin (which links directly into those going through the menopause) will benefit the most from hyaluronic acid.
EMBRACE THE PHENOMENON
There are many ways in which you can choose to embrace hyaluronic acid, some of which are incredibly simple. So, first up - eat more veggies! Yes, you heard us right. Making sure your diet is full of a diverse variety of fruit and veg every week is a great way to ensure you are taking in lots of antioxidants which help the skin fight inflammation and, in turn, allows the body to retain more hyaluronic acid.
Find a good product that contains the ingredient and works well for you. Based on biotechnology, our Gold Contour Eye Serum has been formulated to moisturise, de-puff and nourish. Perfectly adapted for all skin types but particularly suitable for healthy ageing. Containing HMW (high molecular weight) hyaluronic acid to help reduce wrinkles and fine lines, it’s a great example of where you can really utilise the ingredient to your specific needs.
If it’s a moisturiser you think you need, our Gold, Pearl and Caviar Moisturiser is rich in active ingredients. The hyaluronic acid works hard to target menopausal skin and fine lines, while the caviar extract is rich in vitamins A, D, B. The amino acids also intensify the metabolism of the skin cells and finally gold, which is known for helping restore skin elasticity, stimulates cellular growth of the innermost layer of the skin to regenerate healthy, firm skin cells.
