The Beginner’s Guide to Hyaluronic Acid
Adding a new ingredient to your skincare routine can be tricky with all the do’s, don’ts, and even maybes, especially if you aren’t particularly skincare savvy. The good news is that hyaluronic acid is a beautifully basic ingredient that you don’t need an entire PhD to understand, only our foolproof guide featuring everything you need to know.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
| While hyaluronic acid probably gives you a flashback to a high school chemistry class, it’s actually a naturally produced sugar molecule (or polysaccharide if you’re looking for a smarty pants conversation starter) by the body. As it’s organically found in our bodies already, it’s safe for all skin types. |
The main purpose of hyaluronic acid is to retain water and keep our tissues moist. And with the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, we think it does a pretty good (okay, amazing) job of it.
What Else Does Hyaluronic Acid Do?
Strengthens the Skin’s Barrier
Dry patches are a classic sign of a compromised skin barrier. We often think that a skin barrier that’s anything less than stellar is from neglect, but even those who live and breathe skincare may need to strengthen it from time to time as external factors, such as overly cold and hot weather, can contribute to dry skin. Hyaluronic acid for the skin can help protect you from whatever Mother Nature throws at you and keep dry patches at bay.
Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles
We bet we have your attention now if we didn’t before! As we get older, our skin loses volume, and fine lines and wrinkles can appear deeper. Regular use of hyaluronic acid for the face will help your skin to hold onto more moisture and restore fullness, softening fine lines and wrinkles in the process.
Prevents Excess Oiliness
Dry skin can sometimes disguise itself as oily skin, as when the skin is dry, the sebaceous glands that produce natural oils work overtime to create even more oils that gather on the surface of the skin. Hyaluronic acid will help keep them under control by maintaining moisture.
Should You Use Hyaluronic Acid in Your Everyday Skincare Routine?
Put simply, yes. The amount of hyaluronic acid we produce declines with age, so our skin is more likely to become dry. Applying hyaluronic acid to your skin daily will assist in keeping your moisture levels up, and all the benefits that come with moisture-rich skin.
Does This Mean I Can Stop Using a Moisturiser if I Use Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that attracts moisture from the body and its surrounding environment to the upper layers of skin, but it can’t produce moisture on its own. A moisturiser prevents existing moisture from escaping so that hyaluronic acid can hold onto it more effectively. Without it, hyaluronic acid will be left feeling parched as it has very little moisture to attract – consider them a dynamic duo that works more effectively together.
When Is the Best Time to Apply Hyaluronic Acid?
All hyaluronic acid skincare should be applied in the same order as your usual routine, except you may want to switch up the location if you’re using a hyaluronic acid serum.
To enhance the benefits of a hyaluronic acid serum for the face, it’s best to apply it to clean, damp skin. Ideally right after you’ve taken a bath or shower as it’ll draw moisture from the humidity, giving it an extra source of water to extract moisture from.
Our Favourite Hyaluronic Acid Skincare Products:
SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier Face Serum - €100,00
For skin that feels like the Sahara Desert, this hyaluronic acid serum will satisfy seriously thirsty skin with a 30% increase in hyaluronic acid levels. Described as filler in a bottle, fine lines and wrinkles will dramatically soften, knocking years off your complexion. It’s on the more expensive side of our hyaluronic acid serum roundup, but can you really put a price on time travelling?
SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Serum - €78,00
A non-oily, gel textured hyaluronic acid serum for the skin with a generous dose of vitamin B5 to improve skin health and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier without feeling sticky on the skin. It’s ideal for oily and/or acne skin types as it won’t clog up your pores and cause double the trouble.
SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque - €70,00
For those times when you want to relax but still have to hydrate your skin, try SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque. Packed with two highly hydrating ingredients, hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, it works to restore moisture balance and leaves the skin feeling supple and smooth with a gorgeous glow.
MEDIK8 Hydra8 B5 Intense - €50,00
With multiweight hyaluronic acid, this serum contains different molecular weights to reach several layers of the skin for immediate and long-term hydration - why settle for anything less? Saskatoon berry prevents the breakdown of hyaluronic acid, while soy extract stimulates its natural production and enhances collagen synthesis.
Skingredients Skin Veg - €40,00
Skin Veg works like a big ol’ shot of green juice for your skin supercharged with hyaluronic acid, polyhydroxy acid, fruit, veggies, and botanical extracts. It also doubles up as an invigorating eye cream for those dark circles and primer for the perfect makeup application every. Single. Time.