6 Nutritious Foods That Are High in Hyaluronic Acid

Hydration is essential for firm, young-looking skin. When the skin isn’t hydrated, fine lines and wrinkles become more apparent. Your skin may even produce extra oil to combat dryness, increasing your risk for blemishes and breakouts.

The body has systems in place to support the skin’s moisture balance, though sometimes it could use a little boost. Hyaluronic acid, for example, is a substance naturally produced in the skin and connective tissues that plays a key role in retaining moisture. It can also be applied topically as an ingredient in moisturizing skin care products, and you can even increase your body’s production of this hydrating substance by consuming hyaluronic acid-rich foods.

Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of hyaluronic acid for your skin and which foods contain the highest levels.

The Skin Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a type of sugar found naturally in the body, primarily the skin, connective tissues, and eyes. Its main function is to retain water, helping keep your tissues moist and well lubricated. Because it can retain more than a thousand times its weight in water, hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant. Depending on the size of the molecules, it can hydrate the inner and outer layers of skin.

Here are some of the benefits hyaluronic acid can provide for your skin:

• By improving hydration, hyaluronic acid may reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• When applied directly to the skin, hyaluronic acid helps alleviate redness and dermatitis.
• Hyaluronic acid helps regulate inflammation and speeds wound healing.
• By hydrating the outer layers of skin, hyaluronic acid helps strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.
• Hyaluronic acid may help improve the appearance of tightness in the skin.
• By boosting hydration, hyaluronic acid can smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of scars and pores.

As is true for collagen and elastin, the body produces less hyaluronic acid as you get older. As you age, it’s wise to start including anti-aging skincare products in your daily routine that contain hyaluronic acid. You may also want to consume more foods that contain hyaluronic acid or stimulate its production.

6 Foods that Contain Hyaluronic Acid

If you’re looking to boost your body’s hyaluronic acid production, there are two options. One option is to take hyaluronic acid supplements. These come in a variety of different forms but there are no universal guidelines regarding dosing recommendations.

Another option is to consume more foods that either contain hyaluronic acid or stimulate its production in the body. Here are some of the top 6 foods in this category:

1. Bone Broth – Hyaluronic acid is typically only found in animal-based foods like meat, fish, and poultry – particularly in connective tissue. Bone broth, made by simmering the bones and connective tissues of animals, is a good source of hyaluronic acid.
2. Tofu – While soy products sometimes get a bad reputation, options like tofu are a nutrient-dense source of protein. They also contain phytoestrogens which stimulate hyaluronic acid production.
3. Edamame – Another soy product, edamame is an immature form of the soybean. Like tofu and other soy products, edamame is rich in HA-boosting phytoestrogens.
4. Leafy Greens – Greens like kale, spinach, and collard greens are nutritional powerhouses. In addition to plenty of essential vitamins, these foods contain magnesium which supports the production of hyaluronic acid in the body.
5. Root Vegetables – Sweet potatoes, potatoes, and other root vegetables are rich in antioxidants which help protect the skin from oxidative damage. They also contain magnesium.
6. Almonds – Popular for their protein, fiber, and healthy fat content, almonds are also a rich source of magnesium. They’re also packed with vitamin E which has skin benefits of its own.

In addition to choosing hyaluronic acid-rich foods or foods that stimulate its production, consider eating foods that helps prevent its breakdown.

Your body produces less hyaluronic acid with age anyway, so it’s worth taking steps to slow any additional breakdown. Naringenin is a bioactive compound that inhibits the enzyme responsible for breaking down hyaluronic acid in the body. You can find it in citrus fruits such as grapefruit, oranges, tart cherries, and tomatoes.

Choosing Hyaluronic Acid-Rich Skincare Products

Increasing your intake of dietary hyaluronic acid may boost your body’s production of his hydrating chemical over time, but if you need a quick boost of moisture Yon-Ka Paris skincare products can help.

When shopping for skincare products containing hyaluronic acid, it’s important to know what you’re buying. Hyaluronic acid molecules come in different sizes and if the molecules are too large, it won’t be able to penetrate the skin. Molecules small enough to permeate the skin deliver deep hydration to smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. Larger molecules can be beneficial as well, though they tend sit on the top layer of skin to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.

French-inspired skincare brand Yon-Ka Paris offers a variety of products made with hyaluronic acid molecules of various sizes to deliver a wide range of benefits.

Deliver a dose of hydration to your skin with the following Yon-Ka Products:

• Hydra No.1 Serum – Formulated with a double dose of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, this deeply hydrating serum is perfect for all skin types.
• Hydra No.1 Crème – This rich cream contains two sizes of hyaluronic acid, both low weight and heavy weight, to hydrate dry and sensitive skin types.
• Hydra No.1 Fluide – Enriched with both micro- and macro-molecular hyaluronic acid, this mattifying fluid delivers sustained hydration and mattifies the complexion to control sebum.
• Excellence Code Contours – Tighten, smooth, and brighten the eye and lip contours with this potent, multifunctional formula enriched with konjac root extract and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid.
• Excellence Code Masque – This global youth mask features a cocktail of fruit acids, marine collagen, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin, restoring its youthful suppleness and glow.

If the products above don’t seem like the perfect fit, there are plenty more to choose from. Crème Lumiere hydrates while brightening the skin with a powerful dose of vitamin C and Nude Perfect Fluide primes and perfects the skin, protecting against stress and environmental aggressors. For age correction and deep hydration, the Advanced Optimizer lineup comes in three forms.

For personalized skincare advice, consult the Yon-Ka Skincare Advisor or stop in to your local Yon-Ka Paris partner spa to speak to a licensed esthetician.