In the previous article, we stated that the condition of the dermal layer of the skin, its elasticity and ability to resist stress, the youth of the skin and its appearance is mainly determined by the condition and the amount of collagen and elastin fibers in the tissue and the quality and quantity of glycosaminoglycan gel which fills the space around the fibers.
So, what are glycosaminoglycans?
Glycosaminoglycans are part of the intercellular substance of connective tissue. Glycosaminoglycans are located primarily on the cell surface and ensure their structural integrity and migration, that is the division and replacement of dead skin cells with new cells. Together with collagen and elastin fibers, they form the main component of the intercellular substance of connective tissue of the skin – the matrix. And an important and fundamental part of glycosaminoglycans is hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid is a major component of synovial fluid and the vitreous body of the eye. A lot of it is found in the tissues of the heart valves and in ova. Hyaluronic acid is produced by the cells of connective tissue of the body, the fibroblasts.
Hyaluronic acid is an important structural element of the skin. It is believed that the main function of hyaluronic acid in the connective tissue is binding water. And its ability to retain water is absolutely unique! In water, its molecules form a kind of grid or matrix which can bind a 10000-fold volume of liquid.
Being mainly composed of hyaluronic acid, glycosaminoglycans can bind large amounts of water. As a result, the intercellular substance becomes gelatinous or jelly-like.
Glycosaminoglycans take the main part in the formation of elasticity of different tissues, performing a spring (damper) function. Generally, they are responsible for the density, firmness and elasticity of the skin and its moisture preservation, which ultimately determines the youth, and beauty, and attractiveness of the skin all over the body, and in particular the facial skin.
Being part of glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid is located in connective tissue of the dermis between the fibers of collagen and elastin, as well as in cells of the horny layer and in corneocytes (cells of the outermost part of the epidermis).
Hyaluronic acid can be called a natural molecular “sponge” with supermoisturing action. It is also an amazing transdermal delivery system which provides many other active components necessary for skin health which can be dissolved in water.
Hyaluronic acid prevents the destruction of collagen, this unique protective barrier in the skin.
Hyaluronic acid accelerates facial skin regeneration and plays an important role in tissue hydrodynamics.
A solution of hyaluronic acid can be widely spread on the skin surface, forming a light film which actively absorbs moisture from the air. This increases the free water content in the horny layer of the skin and creates the effect of “extra moisture”, thereby reducing the evaporation of water from the skin surface.
In the facial skin of a young person, glycosaminoglycan gel is constantly refilled with life-giving moisture, and is actively renovated. The required amount of hyaluronic acid is produced along with it by fibroblasts, special connective tissue cells. In childhood and youth, fibroblasts produce a sufficient level of hyaluronic acid for the health of the skin.
With 22 years of age, the amount of glycosaminoglycan gel, and consequently, the amount of hyaluronic acid begins to decrease steadily.
And with 25 years of age, the quality of glycosaminoglycan gel in the system begins to deteriorate, too. Its renovation slows down, and damaged collagen fibers (broken “mattress springs”) constantly accumulate.
This leads to a decrease in glycosaminoglycan gel moisture holding capacity (due to reducing the amount and concentration of hyaluronic acid in it). As a result, facial skin begins to lose elasticity, it stretches and sags under the force of gravity. “Surplus” pieces of skin and large folds are formed, such as nasolabial wrinkles, under-eye bags, and saggy skin in the neck.
As a result of the oxidative stress of the skin (UV-radiation, low-quality care, bad environment, malnutrition, disease, etc.), a larger amount of the moisture from the glycosaminoglycan gel rises to the drier surface layers of the skin and evaporates.
In case of oxidative stress, the lipid layer of the stratum corneum (the protective layer of the skin) is also damaged, which leads to more evaporation of moisture!
The loss of liquid by the upper layers of the skin is accompanied by an intensive evaporation of moisture from the inner layers of the dermis (its “drawing” out of the depth of the dermis). This leads to even more skin drying. The circle is closed!
This way, a self-sustaining process of dehydration of all of the matrix launches, and we may sadly observe an intensive skin aging and wrinkle formation.
For this reason, the ultimate dream and the most urgent task of cosmetology has been and remains:
- preserving youthfulness of water-retaining mechanism of the skin
- finding a way to impact the qualitative and quantitative composition of glycosaminoglycan matrix in the skin, providing its replenishment and renovation
To break the vicious cycle of moisture loss and stop skin aging, we cannot do without additional fluid saturation of the skin and improving its water-retaining systems.
Hyaluronic acid is one of the most powerful and effective tools which is able to dramatically change the situation for the better.
Our recommendation is to pay special attention to the beauty product which contain that remarkable supplement, such as Apex Vitality Anti-Aging Serum of Youth.