Hyaluronic Acid is my skincare hero.
Whenever my skin gets a little dry and flaky, I just have to put out an SOS and it comes to save the day. Within a few short days, my skin is back to its soft, plumpy self.
Thanks, Hyaluronic Acid!
His super power? A big moisture magnet. When he’s around, moisture flocks to the skin faster than I can say “go”. Here’s what makes it so irresistible:
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What The Heck Is Hyaluronic Acid?
This may sound surprising and a little stalkish, but Hyaluronic Acid has been with you since birth. It’s a glycosaminoglycans (a fancy way of calling long, unbranched sugar) that naturally occurs in your body’s connective tissue.
In plain English, Hyaluronic Acid is part of the glue that holds skin cells together.
Fun fact: this superhero owes his name to hyalos, the Greek word for glass, and the sugar uronic acid. Yep, if you could see Hyaluronic Acid with the naked eye, it’d have a glossy appearance.
Hyaluronic Acid Benefits: What Does It Do For Your Skin?
It’s a moisture magnet!
Here’s how it works. Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant. That’s a fancy way of saying that it attracts moisture from the environment into the skin, pumping up its hydration levels.
Other ingredients do this. Glycerin and Urea spring to mind immediately. But Hyaluronic Acid goes the extra mile: it can bind up to 1000 times its weight in water! That’s a waterfall of moisture!
Like Korean skincare teaches, hydrated skin = happy skin. When skin has all the moisture it needs, it his softer to the touch; it’s all plumped up, which in turn makes wrinkles look smaller; and has that beautiful dewy glow that makes it look like it’s lit from within.
Hydration is Hyaluronic Acid’s main job, but this superhero has other tricks up its sleeve. It also:
- Increases skin’s elasticity
- Treats atopic dermatitis (and other irritations)
- Helps soothe rosacea
Can Hyaluronic Acid Penetrate Skin?
As a rule, anything that is bigger than 500 Daltons can’t penetrate the skin. Guess what? Hyaluronic Acid is way bigger than that.
No worries, it still works. Hyaluronic Acid stays on the surface, plumping up and hydrating the most superficial layers. But if you want the added benefits of increased elasticity etc, it needs to penetrate the skin.
You have two options here:
- Hyaluronic Acid fillers (not an option for this needle phobic girl)
- Low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid
Yep, these days, Hylauronic Acid comes in all sizes. Niod Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Complex, for example, uses 12! Some of these forms are big and stay on the surface of the skin while others are smaller and can get in.
I wouldn’t use too many of the smaller forms, though. Low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid is too friendly to other molecules, helping them slip into the skin, too. If one of them happens to be irritating, or your skin is particularly sensitive, this may cause inflammation.
Mind you, this is a problem with all penetration-enhancers. That’s why you need to read the labels to ensure there’s nothing irritating in your products in the first place.
One more thing: Hyaluronic Acid works best at concentrations BELOW 2%. Don’t worry if you don’t see it at the top of the ingredient list. It’ll still do the job fine.
What Are The Best Products With Hyaluronic Acid?
- Niod Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Complex ($25.00): available at Beauty Bay and Cult Beauty
- Paula’s Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster ($46.00): available at Dermstore, Nordstrom, Paula’s Choice and Selfridges
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (£5.90): available at Asos, Beauty Bay and Cult Beauty
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The Bottom Line
Hyaluronic Acid is a godsend for dry skin: it plumps it up, hydrates it and gives it a soft, dewy glow. Just don’t go overboard!
Do you use products with Hyaluronic Acid? Share your favourites in the comments below.
yes, I do use hyaluronic acid. It’s one of my favorite skincare ingredients. It’s funny that Japanese skincare has included hyaluronic acid for ages and Western skincare companies just caught up on the trend very recently.
Dao, it’s one of my favourites too. 🙂 That’s funny indeed and about time too!
What is your experience with Hyaluronic Acid? Do you have any personal reservations about using it on your skin?
Celazome, I very often use Hyaluronic Acid on my skin and love it! It doesn’t have any side effects and reduces water loss so that skin stays soft, smooth and also plumped. 🙂
I do use products with Hyaluronic Acid and I love how it keeps my skin so soft & smooth! I do like how it plumps up my skin temporarily too. Makes it look healthy!
Dee, I agree. It is a wonderful ingredient. 🙂
I love hyaloronic acid in my skin care products, too!
alluring_mum, it’s a great ingredient, isn’t? It makes skin so soft and plump!
My fav skincare at the moment (Hada Labo) contains Hyaluronic Acid and it’s awesome! ^_^ Very moisturizing
Isabel, it really is. 🙂
It seems to work for a majority of people (me included! I love anything that has hyaluronic acid) but some readers of mine had complained that they had allergic reactions to it, breaking out or having bumps on their skin. So maybe… just maybe… its not quite for everyone 🙂
Paris, that’s the first time I heard of Hyaluronic Acid causing breakouts. As far as I know it’s not comedogenic at all.. it’s weird but I guess we are all different and for some people HA may not work well.. 🙂
I’ve never tried products with Hyaluronic Acid, but I will look into them, because my skin has been really dehydrated lately (crazy weather, don’t ask! lol) x
Stavroula, I’m sorry to hear your skin is not behaving lately. Winter weather can cause so much havoc to it. But if you need a good moisturizer, definitely look for one with Hylauronic Acid, it will surely help. 🙂
I’d love to use hyaluronic acid, but there are only two possibilities available here, and both are approximately 4 times the price of HA in, say, the US.
Ana, that’s so unfair and annoying! I hope someone will reasonably priced Hyaluronic Acid product soon so you’ll be able to buy it.
Hi Gio! Wondering your thoughts on the OZNaturals Hyaluronic Acid? I’m wanting to go towards a more natural skincare regimen. How would it compare to the NIOD Multi-Mollecular Hyaluronic Complex?
Kelsi, it really depends what it is you’re looking for. OZNatural has way more antioxidants that NIOD but it doesn’t look like the packaging was coated against UV rays so they won’t last long. If you’re looking for a hylauornic acid serum for dry skin, you literally can’t beat NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid complex. It has more forms of hyaluronic acid than any other hyaluronic acid serum I’ve come across so far.
Hi Gio-
So I use The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Serum at the end of my regimen both AM and PM before moisturising. I have read somewhere that it should be used on damp skin, as otherwise it can dry your skin out as it can pull moisture out of your skin. Is there any truth to this and if so should I use a toner or something before I use the serum or will a moisturiser on top be enough? I use acids and vitamin C in the morning prior to Hyaluronic serum. Thanks!!
Lauren, if there’s isn’t enough moisture in the air, some humectants will draw it from the deeper layers of your skin and that could dry it out. But if you’re not experiencing tightness or dryness, I wouldn’t worry about it. Just keep doing what you’re doing.
Hi Gio,
I have read one of your post saying we should layer hyaluronic acid with other acids which we use. Are these sequences correct and please let me know if there is too much layerings in the routine.
In the AM- Clease> SCINIC First Treatment Essence> The Ordinary Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate> The Ordinary Resveratrol & Ferulic Acid> Artnaturals Hyaluronic Acid> Moisturizer> SPF.
At PM- Cleanse> SCINIC First Treatment Essence> The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5%> Artnaturals Hyaluronic Acid> Moisturizer/Sleeping Mask.
I’m 28 years old, dry and dull skin, super new to acids.
Also, please let me know how much waiting period should be given in between while layering these products, thank you so much!! ❤️❤️❤️
Claire, the order is correct. If you don’t feel you like you’re wearing too many layers, have an unpleasant residue on the skin, there’s no need to remove anything. Just wait a few minutes for them to absorb and then go in with the next.
Hi Gio, thanks for your relpy. I just realized the Ordinary Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate is in cream form, the website suggest it should be applied after water-based serum. Should I still apply it before hyaluronic acid serum?
Claire, if the hyaluronic acid serum has a thin texture then yes, you can apply that first.
Hi Gio, just to double confirm, the texture of The Ordinary HA is considered as thick or thin? ☺️ In general, serums are in thick texture, so can I say that serums should be applied after The Ordinary MAP?
Claire, in this case, I’d apply MAP first anyway just cos it’s so important to maximise the penetration of vitamin C, while hyaluronic acid works even if it stays on the skin. But, in general, it’s not about what kind of product it is. The best way is to try the texture of each product on the back of your hand and see which one is more lightweight and sinks in quicker.
As I am understanding it, hyaluronic acids grab moisture from the air. Once I put a moisturizer on my face, can moisture come through that. I was under the impression that a moisturizer “sealed the products and moisture in”. Does it then keep moisture from the air out? BTW, found your sight a few weeks ago and I LOVE IT! Thanks so much for sharing such valuable information about skincare, Gio. Finding so very much great information.
Annie, aww thank you very much for your kind words. So glad you like the site and hope to see you here often. 🙂
Yes, moisturisers seal everything in but hyaluronic acid can still do its job. It wouldn’t be in so many moisturisers if it couldn’t. 😉
How about use HA such kind of supplements.? Do you have any experience & is it need?
https://www.iherb.com/pr/Neocell-Hyaluronic-Acid-Blueberry-Liquid-16-fl-oz-473-ml/16750
Lien, I don’t think that’s needed. As long as you eat a healthy diets, you can do without supplements.
Dear Gio, I mix 3 drops of The Ordinary HA and 3 drops of Paula’s Choice C 15 Super Booster and apply on my face/neck every morning. Is it correct or should I put the two products separately on my skin (before Vitamine C, then HA)? Thank you so much! your blog is brilliant!
Federica, if it works for you, why change it? If it weren’t ok, you wouldn’t see results. 😉
HA, in my opinion, is absolutely essential to a skincare routine, it’s one of my most favourite ingredients out there.
Andrew James – theskincaresaviour.com
Hello, I apologize for my English because I am French. First of all, congratulations for your blog! It’s the best for all things skincare !! Please, I have two questions. I use the antioxidant serum of Paulas however they contain silicones. I have nothing against them but in parallel I also use the serum niod with hyaluronic acid. My two questions are: I am afraid that the serum silicones of Paula block the access of moisturizing actives of my serum Niod, so I first put the niod then the paula, am I right?
My second question: High molecular weight hyaluronic acid works on the surface of the skin. Do you think that they prevent the care that I apply after penetrating? where the mesh is large enough to let the assets pass? thank you so much !!
Mehdi, thank you so much for your kind words. Your English is really good. 🙂
I understand your concerns, but silicones don’t prevent other ingredients from sinking into the skin: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/do-silicones-prevent-other-ingredients-from-sinking-into-the-skin/
I always recommend to apply silicones first because they need to penetrate skin to work. Hydrating products work only on the surface of the skin so they can go last.
Your blog is wonderful!!
Can hyaluronic acid still be beneficial if you live in a super dry climate? Or would it be somewhat pointless then?
Also, would using a water nanomister before and after applying it be helpful?
Kiersten, yes it still works. But you need to spray some thermal water or hydrating mist on top to maximise results and make sure hyaluronic acid has plenty of moisture to lock in without stealing it from the deeper layers of your skin.
Hi Gio!
I’ve read somewhere that we don’t need to use moisturizer because the effect of moisturizer is usually superficial and short-lived. In addition, our skin takes water from the air and the food we eat. That makes me confuse a lot. Should i use the moisturizer or not? Can I use hyaluronic acid of The Ordinary in replace of the moisturizer?
Hope to hear from you soon!
I would like to ask the second question in different way 😭 can i use hyaluronic acid of The Ordinary in replace of any other moisturizers?
(My skin type is combination skin)
Nhan, it depends on your skin type. Please refer to this post to know what YOU need: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/does-everyone-need-to-use-a-moisturizer/