As we age our skin can start to lose it’s natural moisture and youthful glow and can begin to look dry and dull. There are many reasons why this can happen; skin cells don’t turn over as rapidly as they once did, over time skin can get damaged from the sun’s rays and our body produces less of those natural skin protecting oils. There is no reason why with a great diet high in plant-based foods and good skin care we can’t work to retain smooth glowing skin as we age.

If you go completely plant-based you may notice that your skin is initially dryer due to a large amount of animal-based saturated fat being taken out of your diet. It is important that every day we have a good intake of plant based fats to keep our hormones working efficiently and our brain, eyes and skin functioning well. Avocados, nuts and seeds, flaxseed and coconut oils, and coconut yoghurt, nut milks and cheeses, can all be important sources of fats for people on a plant-based diet and can create that much-needed moisture in your skin from the inside out!

Great skin care is also really important to help to trap in that much-needed moisture. Skin that is strong and retains moisture well will be extra protected against bacteria, damage from the elements and will be less prone to sagging, wrinkling and other signs of ageing. Our skin is actually made up of several different layers, collagen and elastin also help to keep our skin strong and firm. At the very bottom layer of our skin, cells contain hyaluronic acid which helps our skin look and stay hydrated. Using products and especially serums that contain this magic ingredient can help to rehydrate our skin from the bottom up and transform our skin, plumping and filling out fine lines naturally.

Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in our body and is mainly found in the skin, and inside the eye and joint sockets (1). It helps to retain and replenish moisture, and amazingly enough, one gram of hyaluronic acid can hold up to six litres of water! (2). This helps our skin retain it’s moisture, collagen and elasticity! (1). New research is also showing that hyaluronic acid might provide an antioxidant rich defence against the environmental factors behind ageing (2).

Using a serum that is enriched with plant-based hyaluronic acid can be a nutrient rich way to help protect and support your skin naturally as it ages. Unlike a moisturiser which can sit on the surface of your skin and only affect the outer layer, serums can work deep down into the deeper layers of your skin delivering powerful active ingredients where they are needed most! Use a serum on freshly cleansed skin before your moisturiser or sunscreen. Serums are also very effective to use at night time before you go to bed. Our skin regenerates itself at night so using a serum can really help to nourish and repair skin when we are asleep! Because serums pack a powerful punch you will only need to use a small amount for it to have a beneficial effect on your skin. All of the serums we have chosen use plant-derived hyaluronic acid and are cruelty-free! Make sure you always patch test any new products that you purchase.

SEVEN SECRET SERUMS that contain HYALURONIC ACID!

.

1. INSTA NATURAL: AGE DEFYING + SKIN CLEARING SERUM
This anti-ageing serum from Insta Natural contains a whole range of goodies to help repair and protect all skin types. Retinol (Vitamin A) effectively works to increase cell turnover leading to smoother, fresher skin, and an overall reduction in the signs of premature ageing. Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and niacinamide (Vitamin B3) increase moisture and help to give your skin that youthful glow effect! Retinol and vitamin C are also helpful in repairing inflamed and acne damaged skin. Insta Natural also have a range of other great products containing hyaluronic acid.
$23.52 NZD (incl. shipping) (Amazon)

2. TRILOGY: NUTRIENT PLUS FIRMING SERUM
Trilogy is New Zealand’s leading skin care brand and they claim that they sell a bottle of their signature rosehip oil globally every twenty two seconds! A lightweight formula this firming serum aims to tighten and nourish your skin naturally. Hyaluronic acid and aloe vera help to plump up skin and liquorice root extract helps to soothe inflammation and repair hyperpigmentation. Their trademarked Glycablend formula is added which is an assortment of nourishing seed oils that effectively fight glycation. Glycation is the natural process of collagen and elastin fibres losing their elasticity and hardening as we age. $33.82 NZD (Amazon)

3. HYDRAPLENISH: HYDRATION + ANTI-AGEING FACIAL THERAPY
Hydraplenish by Natures Way is a powerful anti ageing serum that is designed to help reduce and repair dryness, fine lines and uneven skin tone. This serum is also enriched with vitamin C to help increase collagen production, reduce inflammation and enhance the skin’s natural repair process. Hydraplenish is also designed to naturally lighten and brighten skin, and reduce age spots and hyperpigmentation damage! (Amazon) $49.90 NZD (NZ based? Get it here)

4. SO SIMPLE: SLEEPING BEAUTY
‘Sleeping Beauty’ by So Simple is a serum designed to be used at nighttime to replenish and repair your skin while you sleep! It is a lightweight, gel-based formula high in hyaluronic acid to help plump and hydrate your skin naturally. It also contains an antioxidant-rich berry oil blend (their own formula) and extracts from cucumber and liquorice to help soothe tired skin. Enriched with fatty acids, vitamin A and E to help repair any scarring from acne, damaged skin and uneven skin tone. $35.90 NZD (So Simple Skincare)

5. NOW SOLUTIONS: HYALURONIC ACID FIRMING SERUM
This firming serum by NOW Solutions naturally works to rehydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It is also enriched with organic aloe vera to help repair and treat acne and sun-damaged skin. This serum also contains green tea leaf extract which is an effective antioxidant in minimising free-radical damage, and when used in the evening it can also work to enhance cellular repair and the healing of damaged skin. $14.16 NZD (iHerb)

6. OZ NATURALS: HYALURONIC ACID + VIT C
The Oz Naturals hyaluronic acid serum is cold pressed! This is claimed to be a more natural, pure and clean way to formulate a serum as the natural ingredients remain fresh and non-heat damaged. Cold pressing creates a more potent product because all active ingredients stay intact. Oz Naturals also use a patented bio preserve complex which is supposed to be safer than using other questionable preservatives. This nourishing serum also contains vitamin C + E, rose hips and green tea extract! (Amazon) $37.99 NZD (NZ based? get it here)

7. JOYAL BEAUTY: HYALURONIC ACID HYDRATING SERUM
Joyal 100% hyaluronic acid serum claims to be a lower molecular weight and to be more effective at penetrating those deeper skin layers! For best results apply to freshly cleansed, damp skin. It is also made in an organic certified lab from organic vegetables. The preservative that is used in this serum is also organic and plant based. Super hydrating this serum is the answer for dry and damaged skin! $23.24 NZD (incl. shipping) (Amazon) ♥

Links:

1 – Hyaluronic acid from Dr Axe
2 – How hyaluronic acid benefits skin from Paula’s Choice

(Photo: Ryan Moreno)