What is Hyaluronic Acid? Find Out It’s Benefits
Hyaluronic acid. If you’re into skincare like myself, then hyaluronic acid is the one ingredient which should be a regular part of your skincare regime. Raise your hand if you want hydrated, dewy skin. Raises hand 🙋♀️
Hyaluronic acid is one of those skincare ingredients you’ve probably been hearing a lot about the last two years. It is meant for those looking to get moisturized, supple skin but are also prone to zits or hate the feel of greasy products. AKA pretty much everyone is meant to use it on the daily.
As a humectant, it draws moisture into skin and traps it there to keep skin dewy, plump and hydrated. It is one of the most commonly buzzed-about beauty ingredients because of its incredible ability to hold up to 1,000x its weight in water. It’s also something that your body makes naturally, so its chemical composition absorbs easily into your skin. That makes hyaluronic acid serums particularly amazing for dry and mature complexions or anyone who wants to plump away fine lines and wrinkles.
The best part? Hyaluronic acid works on ALL skin types. So you can say farewell to lacklustre skin and hello to a hydrated, dewy face.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hydration = Hyaluronic Acid
To understand how hyaluronic acid works, we need to understand what it is. I’m going to get a little technical here, so bear with me.
Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan, which is technically a protein, that is found naturally in the skin. It’s also found in your eyes, connective tissue and even joints. Essentially it’s a powerful hydrator. It has an amazing ability to attract and hold water in the skin, and in the rest of the body where it is found. It lubricates the joints and helps to repair damage to the body after an injury.
Why Use a Hyaluronic Acid Serum
So if we already have hyaluronic acid in our skin and body, why do we need to use a hyaluronic acid serum then? As we age, our skin becomes increasingly dry and loses moisture. Aging skin loses its firmness, becomes less supple and often looks dehydrated. A product that contains hyaluronic acid can replenish the moisture that our aging skin is lacking, improve the appearance of fine lines and make our skin look more smooth.
Everyone can and should be using a product containing hyaluronic acid, regardless of age, skin type or concern. The great thing about hyaluronic acid is that it can be used on all skin types, even sensitive and acne- and rosacea-prone patients.
How to Choose the Right One for You
If you’re already using a serum or a cream that is supposed to plump and hydrate, chances are you’re already using a product that includes hyaluronic acid. You can look for the ingredient ‘sodium hyaluronate’ in the beginning in the products ingredient list. Don’t forget you can look for other things like ceramides, peptides, niacinamide or other antioxidants in the product. A bonus is if it is paraben-free, fragrance-free and propylene glycol–free.
How to Use It for Best Results
You can add it twice a day as the last step in your daily skincare routine, and the use a moisturizer immediately over it. If you are using it during the day, add a sunscreen as the final step. Which you should be doing anyways and if you’re not, start NOW. Hyaluronic acid serums and creams act as a fantastic makeup primer after your morning application, and I love the idea of allowing your skin to hydrate as you sleep.
However, if you have oily skin and are already using a moisturizer, you may not need both a hydrating serum and a moisturizer.
More Tips for Keeping Skin Hydrated
Adding a hyaluronic acid serum to your skincare routine is an terrific and easy way to boost your skin’s hydration level, especially if you currently have skin that is tight and dry. But that’s not the only thing you can do to help your skin get as much moisture as it needs. Here are some more tips:
- Avoiding over-washing and scrubbing your skin. This type of mechanical exfoliation damages the skin barrier and makes it harder for the skin to hold on to moisture. Chemical exfoliation will gently remove the older skin layers.
- Amp up hydration through your diet. Besides drinking water, which is always critical, you should include certain foods. Such as green leafy and root vegetables, citrus fruits and soy-based foods.
- Be consistent with your skincare routine. Think of it this way, skincare is like exercise, try not to miss a day at the “gym”.
Ready to try this powerhouse ingredient? Here are my six picks for hyaluronic acid serum:
1. Vichy Mineral 89 Daily Skin Booster Serum
Why we love it: Made with 15 mineral-rich water and hyaluronic acid, this booster delivers 24-hour hydration with its non-sticky, non-shiny, fragrance-free and fast-absorbing formula. It’s essentially also a moisturizer, but you can certainly layer as a serum.
2. SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier
Why we love it: Aside from its high concentration of pure hyaluronic acid, this serum features 10 percent proxylane™, a patented molecule that supports the skin’s hyaluronic acid levels, as well as botanical extracts of licorice root and purple rice. These ingredients work harmoniously to amplify the skin’s hyaluronic acid levels by 30 percent.
3. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Why we love it: This fast-absorbing, non-tacky serum boosts moisture levels in one application, making slack skin with a few fine lines and wrinkles look and feel perfectly plump. The added vitamin B5 helps speed up the repair of sensitive skin prone to damage.
4. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Why we love it: The formula is completely clear but filled with three versions of hyaluronic acid molecules to reach all levels of thirsty skin, quenching it in a snap. Our skin has never looked more dewy. AND the price is very, VERY affordable.
5. Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Serum
Why we love it: It’s easy to use because of this packaging, and this water-based formula can be used as a moisturizer for acne prone, combo skin or just as a serum under a slightly heavier cream for really dry or dehydrated skin. It’s silicone-free, unlike a lot of hyaluronic products, so if you want to avoid them, this is one is an option.
6. Viva Organics Hyaluronic Acid
Why we love it: A natural serum that encourages your skin to retain its natural moisture from morning to night, leaving you with a beautiful complexion all day. The texture is nice and easily absorbs into your skin.
Have you tried this ingredient out? Which product is your must have? And don’t forget to check out my previous Current Beauty Favs.
