Hyaluronic Acid: Skincare’s “Fountain of Youth”
The bane of every beauty guru’s existence is actually the most natural process of all — skin ageing. Despite our best attempts to fix, prevent, or even reverse the process (from the use of ancient tools like the ‘gua sha’ to more modern practices like botox injections and expensive facials), skin ageing is something that affects everyone, whether we like it or not.
According to researchers Papakonstantinou, Roth and Karakiulakis, ageing of the skin is a complex biological process that is both intrinsic and extrinsic in nature. This means that it is more than just external — the human body’s organs also age, which in turn affects the skin itself. But what does it mean to have ‘youthful’ skin? Hint: it has to do with the recent Korean skincare craze of achieving a ‘dewy’ look.
In their paper titled “Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging”, Papakonstantinou, Roth, and Karakiulakis explained that skin ageing is best associated with a loss of moisture. As the name of the article suggests, the most important molecule that helps retain moisture is hyaluronic acid. This is because hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it an excellent hydrating agent, which is why you’ll notice a lot of products nowadays tend to include this miracle ingredient.
Hyaluronic acid is more commonly known in the skincare landscape as “the fountain of youth”. The molecule has a whopping 1.1 billion views under its own hashtag on TikTok, easily taking the top spot away from most skincare-related terms. Why has it become the average skincare guru’s must-have?
For one, it helps ensure things run smoothly both internally and externally. The substance is found naturally in the fluids in the eyes and joints. Hyaluronic acid is what lubricates the joints and tissues. Webmd, however, states that its uses vary. When consumed by mouth with products like MENAPUL, it acts as a health supplement that can support less-than-convenient menopausal symptoms and enhance the moisturisation of the skin. Though it is mostly used for cosmetic purposes, hyaluronic acid also has the power to help joints work like well-oiled machine by stopping the bones from grinding against each other.
Since there are still not enough studies done on the oral consumption of hyaluronic acid, its most well-known uses are topical in nature. A quarter-teaspoon of hyaluronic acid holds about one and a half gallons of water, hence why it is often used for treating dry eyes and skin via eye drops, moisturisers, serums, and ointments. It is especially popular among older women for its ability to make the skin flexible and ultimately, improving the appearance of wrinkles.
Topical Creams To Oral Consumption?
Then how did it go from topical creams to oral consumption? Is hyaluronic acid safe to even consume? Studies show that it actually is — after only 28 days of oral intake of a hyaluronan, subjects’ skin became more hydrated and were protected from dehydration, with a decrease in both wrinkle depth and volume and an increase in elasticity and firmness. The effect is even more pronounced in health supplements that are low in molecular weight like MENAPUL because it causes the hyaluronic acid to be more absorbed even quicker.
Due to the many benefits and bioavailability of hyaluronic acid — joints lubrication, skin rejuvenation, oral care, arthritis pain management — food supplements containing the ingredient have taken the health market by storm. MENAPUL for example, allows the skin to moisturise from within, sustaining improvement in skin elasticity.
That’s not all — the film-coated tablets have been proven to sustain Hyaluronic Acid in the body for up to 24 hours and contain phytoestrogens which help maintain oestrogen levels in the body. Another benefit of MENAPUL is that it helps with vaginal dryness, an unwanted side effect of menopause. However, if you want to benefit from MENAPUL, it is recommended that you do not take breaks in between. Just like any other health supplement, the results usually take effect after consuming for two months consecutively.
So what are you waiting for? Invest RM350 a month towards your health and you’ll get access to a supplement that reduces hot flashes and night sweats, significantly improves depressive and anxiety symptoms, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, keeps your bones healthy, AND boosts your immune system.