Ask any beauty enthusiast what their most-loved moisturising skincare ingredient is and their answer will probably include hyaluronic acid. This popular and powerful humectant can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which acts like a sponge to pull moisture into the outer layer of skin. It brightens dry and tired skin, plumps fine lines, and adds bounce and suppleness to skin, leaving you with a radiant, dewy appearance. And while it has multiple benefits, hyaluronic acid has been under the radar for the past few months. Many dermatologists and beauty experts have questioned its performance, its claims, and whether it truly benefits skin’s health. We discuss the facts and myths around hyaluronic acid for skin, and reveal if it’s actually worth the hype.
MYTH: Hyaluronic acid is a true acid.
Contrary to its name, hyaluronic acid for skin is not like other exfoliating acids—think glycolic and lactic. It is a substance that occurs naturally in the body and because our skin needs water to function properly, it helps by drawing moisture from surroundings to keep skin healthy and hydrated.
MYTH: Only dry skin needs hyaluronic acid.
Everyone benefits from using hyaluronic acid for skin. It keeps skin looking plumped, youthful, and glowing. It’s especially helpful if you have dry skin, but oily skin also needs water to be hydrated. Remember not to apply hyaluronic acid if you have dry skin and are in a dry environment. This can work against your skin, sucking water from the deeper layers of your skin and drying you out even more. We advise using hyaluronic acid on damp skin for best results.
MYTH: Hyaluronic acid should only be used in moisturisers.
You will find hyaluronic acid in every beauty product—from moisturisers to serums and makeup. If you are focused on your face and want to grasp all the benefits of hyaluronic acid for skin, we suggest using a good hyaluronic acid-based serum. Serums usually contain a higher percentage of active ingredients than moisturisers and creams. On the labels, you may find it listed as sodium hyaluronate or hydrolysed hyaluronic acid. Try our Replenishing Under Eye Repair Gel Cream, which packs a high dosage of hyaluronic acid to give your tired eyes a refined boost.
FACT: Hyaluronic acid for skin can have age-delaying benefits.
We know that this ingredient helps attract and retain moisture in our skin, which, in turn, can help delay signs of ageing. As we age, skin tends to become dull and tired. But with the continuous and correct use of hyaluronic acid for skin, you increase your moisture levels that help diminish wrinkles and improve skin elasticity and firmness.
FACT: You can mix hyaluronic acid with skincare ingredients.
Hyaluronic acid is a very gentle ingredient. It can easily be paired with most other skincare ingredients like retinols, vitamins, and other acids. The only ones you should be cautious about are acids with a lower pH level, which can degrade the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid for skin. While some ingredients like retinol should be used only at night, hyaluronic acid can be used during the day and night.
FACT: Hyaluronic acid can be taken topically, orally, and in the form of an injectable.
Hyaluronic acid not only has skincare benefits but can also do wonders for joint disorders and pains. Doctors often recommend oral medications or treat the affected joint with a hyaluronic based-injection. This lubricates the joints and helps get rid of any tension. Dermatologically too, doctors use hyaluronic acid for skin fillers as a temporary treatment to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dehydrated skin.
Conclusion
When applied topically, hyaluronic acid sits on the outer layers of skin, but some products have a low-molecular weight of the ingredient, which allows it to penetrate the skin at a deeper level, and some believe that this could cause inflammation. But even dermatologists trust that if hyaluronic acid for skin is applied cautiously and effectively—using small quantities of a high quality, high molecular weight—it can do wonders for your skin.