Most people know hyaluronic acid primarily as a substance that works against wrinkles in creams or in the form of injections. However, hyaluronic acid is also used in many other areas, including for dry or irritated eyes.
Heating Air and Frost Dry Out the Eyes
Especially in winter, many people suffer from dry, red, or irritated eyes. The reason: In winter, the air becomes drier. Frosty temperatures mean there is less moisture in the air outside. Indoors, heating systems further dry out the air. Due to the dry air, many people experience chapped and cracked lips or dry, sometimes even flaky skin. Hair becomes more prone to static electricity and stands up stubbornly. And the eyes also dry out. Normally, a thin tear film forms protectively and moisturizingly over the eye with each blink. However, the dry air continuously robs the eyes of moisture. As a result, the protective film is lacking. The consequences are dry eyes. Dryness in the eye can lead to a foreign body sensation. One has to blink constantly without the eye becoming better moisturized. It feels scratchy, the eyes burn or become red.
Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizes and Soothes the Eyes
Hyaluronic acid is capable of binding very large amounts of water. One gram of hyaluronic acid can absorb up to six liters of water. This makes hyaluronic acid ideal for use in the eye. For excessively dry and burning eyes, eye drops containing hyaluronic acid are often used. These ensure that a stable and long-lasting film of moisture forms on the eye. This moistens the dry eye. At the same time, hyaluronic acid is completely colorless, so that after using products with hyaluronic acid, vision is not impaired. However, these properties are not only utilized in medical eye drops and eye care products. Hyaluronic acid is often also included in cleaning and care solutions for contact lenses. It protects the lenses from drying out and keeps them stable in shape. Eye doctors use hyaluronic acid not only to moisturize the eye but also during procedures and surgeries on the eye.
Hyaluronic Acid Can Also Work from Within on the Eyes
There are a whole range of dietary supplements that contain hyaluronic acid. After ingestion, hyaluronic acid is supposed to distribute itself in the body and unfold its effects from within. It does this in different places: Hyaluronic acid ensures that skin and mucous membranes can retain water and thus remain firm and elastic. In the cartilage of the joints, hyaluronic acid acts as a "lubricant" and keeps the joints mobile. The mucous membranes of the nose and the eyes are kept moist. This is especially important in winter when dry eyes and dry skin are present. However, in general, the hyaluronic acid content in the body decreases from the age of 25, and by 40, only half of the original amount is present. As a result, many people tend to have dry skin, dry eyes, and joint complaints. The intake of hyaluronic acid can help remedy this. Thus, hyaluronic acid can not only have a soothing and moisturizing effect on dry eyes from the outside, but it can also do so from within.
