What is Hyaluronic Acid? Uses & Benefits
You've probably heard about hyaluronic acid before - after all, it’s all over social media! Hyaluronic Acid is a staple ingredient in many hydrating products due to its gentle nature and nourishing properties for your skin.
It appears in all kinds of skincare products - serums, moisturisers, eye creams, etc. But why is this ingredient in so many skincare products in the first place?
Here’s our guide to what makes Hyaluronic Acid a superstar skincare ingredient and how you should be using it in your routine!
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant that can retain up to 1,000 times its molecular weight in water. Humectants work by drawing moisture from the external environment into the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin). Proper hydration is crucial because it supports the skin’s healing processes and will help the skin maintain a healthy and functioning moisture barrier.
If you suffer from dry or dehydrated skin, humectants will be an essential ingredient to look for in your skincare products.
Dermalogica Circular Hydration SerumWhere Does Hyaluronic Acid Come From?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a polysaccharide that naturally occurs in the body! Despite ‘acid’ being in its name, it’s not an exfoliating acid like Salicylic Acid or Glycolic Acid.
It's highly hydrating and serves as a cushion for your body's joints and tissues. Did you know that more than half of the body’s hyaluronic acid is in the skin? Levels can deplete over time, leading to a loss of firmness in your skin. Hyaluronic acid and collagen supplements are the best way to support internal HA levels.
When it comes to preventing external dryness on the uppermost layers of your skin, it’s important to use skincare rich in this hydrating molecule.
There are three different types of hyaluronic acid that you’ll commonly find in skincare: hydrolysed hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, and sodium acetylated hyaluronate. All of these attract water to themselves, ultimately improving your skin's hydration.
Dermalogica Hyaluronic Ceramide MistWhat Are the Benefits of Skincare with Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid has a vast array of benefits for the skin. It supports healthy collagen and elastin production, aids in the body's natural healing processes, and keeps the skin hydrated and healthy.
What’s great about HA is that will work for all skin types. However, it is the most beneficial to dry skin types or individuals suffering from dehydrated skin with a compromised moisture barrier.
It also plays nicely with other active ingredients and will not interfere with or negate their effectiveness. It can be used alongside more potent ingredients such as retinol, AHAs, and BHAs to offset any dryness or irritation that they may cause.
Temporary Plumping Effect
Hyaluronic acid will instantly, but temporally, fill out fine lines and wrinkles in the skin. In addition, the surge of moisture will cause the skin cells to swell, creating visible plumpness in the skin.
Although it is temporary, repeated use will keep the skin hydrated and healthy. It can also slow down the aging process if used consistently by preventing wrinkles from forming as deeply!
Lancôme Advanced Genifique Youth Activating SerumIncreases Skin Hydration
If you suffer from dehydrated skin, hyaluronic acid will be very beneficial. Most HA products will also contain other moisturising ingredients such as water, glycerin, and natural moisturising factors.
These hydrating ingredients will inject instant moisture into the skin. And because HA is a humectant, it will continue to work throughout the day, providing your skin with a tall drink of water!
Declaré Collagen & Elastin BoosterDewy Glow
Staying properly hydrated is crucial to the proper functioning of the body’s organs, and your skin is no exception. Hydration is key to achieving a dewy glow!
Hyaluronic acid will provide your skin with an instant boost of hydration, softening the outermost layer of the skin to reduce roughness and visible skin flakes. You will notice an immediate dewy glow and refreshed complexion.
Murad Sensitive Skin Soothing SerumImproves Skin’s Elasticity and Resilience
Hyaluronic acid is essential in increasing the skin's elasticity. Dehydrated skin loses its flexibility and can result in sagging, stretching, and thinning. The loss in elasticity can also lead to an increase in microscopic tears and injury, leading to infections and damage to the skin cells.
It is also crucial to the body’s natural healing process. When your skin is damaged, it produces more HA to heal wounds and protect the body from sun damage. Using a topical solution with HA can speed up your skin’s recovery rate and increase its resilience!
Does Skincare with Hyaluronic Acid Need to be Applied to Damp Skin?
For best results, you should apply hyaluronic acid to damp skin.
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, and it will grab onto the moisture around it. Our best tip is to dampen skin with a face mist before applying your hyaluronic acid skincare product. This ensures that there’s enough hydration for the HA to grab onto for your skin for a plump, dewy glow!
Murad Nutrient Charged Water GelApplying it to damp skin will boost your skin's absorption and overall hydration. It's best to use different HA formulas (such as serums and mists) in conjunction.
HA products work best when used in conjunction with one another. You should always follow up with a moisturiser! An effective moisturiser will reinforce the skin’s acid mantle (moisture barrier) and prevent transepidermal water loss.
Stay Hydrated!
Healthy skin starts with hydration. Keeping your skin moisturised is essential to obtaining the skin of your dreams. Now that you know more about hyaluronic acid, it's time to treat your skin with some of the best hyaluronic acid skincare products on the market!
Looking for other targeted treatments? Check out our curated collection of the best skincare products. Or, get a skincare routine created just for you with our skin analysis!
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