Why GAGs Matter in Your Skincare Routine Today

Glycosaminoglycans in Skin and Skin Care Products

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are sugars in your skin that bind water. These important skin components are found in skin care products and dermal fillers because they give skin a young plump appearance that is sometimes called jello skin.

To know if you need glycosaminoglycans like hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfate in your skincare routine- shop by your Baumann Skin Type.

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What are GAGs?

GAGS are chains of sugars in the skin known as polysaccharides. They link to a core protein forming proteoglycans.

Proteoglycans form an infrastructure in your skin and provide the environment that surrounds skin cells. This extracellular matrix (ECM) is critical for skin cells like fibroblast to function properly.

GAGs are like long, sticky chains made of sugars. Think of them like the beads on a necklace, where each bead is a sugar molecule. These chains are found in our skin, joints, and other parts of our bodies. In the skin, GAGs help keep it hydrated and bouncy because they can hold onto a lot of water. Just like a sponge soaks up water, GAGs do the same for our skin, making it look fresh and feel soft. It also provides a water filled environment for cell signals like growth factors and exosomes to move around and influence skin cells.

What do Glycosaminoglycans Do in the Skin?

GAGs are so important to skin health. They do many things for the skin:

Bind water

Contribute to salt and water balance

Provide an infrastructural matrix that fibroblasts adhere to

Affect fibroblast movement and function

All communicating molecules to move easily from cell to cell

Which Skin Care Products Have GAGs

Products with HA

Hyaluronic acid is a very popular antiaging ingredient in skin care. It hydrates skin, helps other products penetrate better, and plump up fine lines and wrinkles with its humectant properties.

However, topically applied HA does not get into the skin very well unless it is small pieces of the HA chain that have a low molecular weight. Most HA serums have many different sizes of HA chains in them.

Here are some of our favorite dermatologist-approved HA Serums:

Alastin HA Immerse Serum

Skinceuticals HA Intensifier

PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum

Filorga HYDRA-HYAL Intensive Hydrating Plumping Concentrate

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Find products with hyaluronic acid or heparan sulfate here:

ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate

$100.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis HYALIS+ Intensive Hydrating Serum

$82.00

Add to Cart

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream

$32.00

Out of Stock

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Night Spa Cream and Face Mask

$32.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

$20.99

Out of Stock

ClarityRx Daily Dose of Water Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum

$80.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Balanced Probiotic Serum

$78.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Take It Easy Calming Serum

$76.00

Add to Cart

Filorga HYDRA-HYAL Intensive Hydrating Plumping Concentrate

$69.00

Out of Stock

ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate

$100.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis HYALIS+ Intensive Hydrating Serum

$82.00

Add to Cart

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream

$32.00

Out of Stock

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Night Spa Cream and Face Mask

$32.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

$20.99

Out of Stock

ClarityRx Daily Dose of Water Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum

$80.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Balanced Probiotic Serum

$78.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Take It Easy Calming Serum

$76.00

Add to Cart

Filorga HYDRA-HYAL Intensive Hydrating Plumping Concentrate

$69.00

Out of Stock

ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate

$100.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis HYALIS+ Intensive Hydrating Serum

$82.00

Add to Cart

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream

$32.00

Out of Stock

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Night Spa Cream and Face Mask

$32.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

$20.99

Out of Stock

ClarityRx Daily Dose of Water Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum

$80.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Balanced Probiotic Serum

$78.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Take It Easy Calming Serum

$76.00

Add to Cart

Filorga HYDRA-HYAL Intensive Hydrating Plumping Concentrate

$69.00

Out of Stock

Glycosaminoglycans in Beauty Trends

The beauty trend that is hot right now is “jello skin”. Jello skin refers to the plumpness of the skin when there is an abundance of hydrated GAGs in the skin.

Glycosaminoglycans in Cosmetic Procedures

Hyaluronic acid is a GAG and is what dermal fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, Voluma, Versa, RHA, and Belotero are made of. These dermal fillers are made up of crosslinked hyaluronic acid and injected in the skin to plump away fine lines and wrinkles and to reshape the volume of the face.

Glycosaminoglycans and Aging Skin

Wrinkled, aged skin has a decreased amount of sulfated GAG content and HA content. (Heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are increased in photoaged skin but the overall amount of sulfated GAGs is decreased).

Glycosaminoglycans in Skin Care Products

The most common GAGs in skin care are hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfate which are usually found in moisturizers and serums.

Which Glycosaminoglycans are in Skin?

Hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulfate are the most abundance GAGs in the skin. Other important GAGs that affect the skin’s appearance are heparan sulfate, heparin, keratan sulfate, chondroitin-4, and chondroitin-6-sulfate.

As far as skin care products are concerned hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfate are the only GAGs used as anti-aging skin care ingredients.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is found in dermal fillers.

Here is a list of GAGs in skin:

Chondroitin sulfate: Mainly found in cartilage, it provides resistance against compressive forces. In skin, it helps maintain structure and hydration.

Dermatan sulfate: It replaces chondroitin sulfate in some tissues. Found mainly in the skin, tendons, and lungs, it’s involved in wound healing and skin elasticity.

Decorin: It’s not a GAG per se but a proteoglycan that contains a dermatan sulfate GAG chain. It interacts with collagen fibrils in the skin and helps regulate their formation.

Heparan sulfate: Present on cell surfaces and in the extracellular matrix, it plays a role in cell signaling and growth.

Hyaluronic acid (or hyaluronan): Highly hydrophilic and can hold large amounts of water, giving it a crucial role in skin hydration and tissue lubrication.

Keratan sulfate: Found in the cornea, cartilage, and bone, its functions in the skin are less well-defined but might be related to skin elasticity and hydration.

Heparan Sulfate

Heparan sulfate (HS) improves the cellular response to growth factors. HS levels are lower in aged skin and old skin cells do not respond well to growth factors because they don’t “hear” them.

HS protects growth factors when they move between cells, insuring that a higher amount of growth factors make it to the cell so that the communication abilities between cells is strengthened.[ii] Heparan sulfate is the active component in the brand of skincare called Sente.

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a humectant that binds water and gives the dermal layer of the skin its volume and plumpness. The name hyaluronic stands for glass because it has a glassy appearance. HA is partially responsible for the glass skin and jello skin look desired by skin care enthusiasts.

Hyaluronic acid also increases the penetration of other skin care ingredients.

HA is critical for:

Cell growth,

Membrane receptor function, and adhesion.

Skin volume

Skin Plumpness

Cellular Communication

Learn more about Hyaluronic acid here

Other Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in Skin

Chondroitin sulfate, decorin, dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate and heparin are also GAGs in the extracellular matrix. Aged skin has a decrease in heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate and an increase in keratan sulfate and dermatan sulfate.[iii], [iv]

Decorin

Decorin is a proteoglycan found in the extracellular matrix. Its name is derived from its apparent “decorating” of collagen fibers: it’s “horseshoe” pattern binds to collagen fibrils, helping to organize them properly. Decorin is sparse in aged skin [v] and decorin deficient mice have fragile skin.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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