Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a clear, gooey substance that is naturally produced by your body. The largest amounts of it are found in your skin, connective tissue and eyes. Its main function is to retain water to keep your tissues well lubricated and moist.

During your 30’s our skin begins to mature, moisture and elasticity reduces and wrinkles form. Skin moisture loss increases as skin produces less Hyaluronic Acid and existing Hyaluronic Acid starts to degrade.

Roughly half of the hyaluronic acid in your body is present in your skin, where it binds to water to help retain moisture. However, the natural aging process and exposure to things like ultraviolet radiation from the sun, tobacco smoke and pollution can decrease its amounts in the skin. This is why over exposure to UV light (sun or sunbeds) and smoking causes early signs of ageing, making the skin dehydrated, dull, flat and lifeless, increasing fine lines and wrinkles.

Boost your bodies Hyaluronic acid from the inside and out

Eating foods rich in vitamin C and amino acids can increase the levels of hyaluronic acid and collagen in the body as both are important for skin. Foods such as oranges, red peppers, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and strawberries are all rich in vitamin C.

Lots of cosmetics are enriched with hyaluronic acid, the CLINICCARE range are all packed with Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid. The smaller molecules are absorbed more easily by the skin, penetrating the dermis, as opposed to larger molecules sit on the surface of the skin.

There are also lots of foods that are not only high in hyaluronic acid, but also help increase its production in your body so that your skin remains soft, supple and glowing, these include:

• Root vegetables
• Bone broth
• Soy based foods
• Citrus fruits
• Leafy greens