What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a type of sugar molecule that occurs naturally in the body. It is classified as a ‘humectant’, which means it can attract and retain water. Ensuring your skin cells have enough moisture, hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1000 times its molecular weight in water.
The molecular weight of hyaluronic acid will dictate how deeply it can penetrate the skin surface to impart its hydrating powers. For example, a different form of hyaluronic acid that has a smaller molecular weight (like sodium hyaluronate) can be more readily absorbed by the skin.
What does hyaluronic acid do for your skin?
When you apply hyaluronic acid to the skin topically – in the form of cleansers, serums, and moisturisers – it acts as a water magnet for your skin, drawing moisture in from the surrounding environment. This extra boost of moisture gives the skin a plumper, more voluminous appearance, while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
What are the key benefits of hyaluronic acid?
So, how does this superstar humectant improve the look and feel of skin? Below are six key hyaluronic acid benefits for your skin:
- Intensely hydrates the skin surface
- Supports the function of the skin moisture barrier
- Delivers a plumping, firming effect
- Diminishes the look of visible fine lines
- Boosts radiance and suppleness
- Complements all skin types
Read on as we guide you through each of these benefits.
Deeply hydrates the skin
Some skin types are just naturally drier than others – this is because there are fewer lipids (natural oils) in the epidermis. But any skin type can experience dehydration – this refers to a lack of water in the skin. Skin dehydration can be caused by:
- Poor water intake
- Environmental stressors
- Harsh skincare products
- Alcohol, caffeine, and smoking
- Central heating and air conditioning
Hyaluronic acid benefits dehydrated skin by attracting and binding water to the skin surface, keeping your skin hydrated for longer.
Supports the skin moisture barrier
When it comes to your complexion, the skin moisture barrier is a big deal. The skin moisture barrier is located in your skin’s outermost layer – the stratum corneum – and hosts your skin’s many lipids. It acts as your skin’s first line of defence against external pollutants and performs the all-important role of keeping your skin hydrated.
A compromised or damaged skin moisture barrier can lead to water loss in the skin – which can exacerbate dryness, discomfort, and sensitivity. This is where hyaluronic acid skincare products can help reinforce the skin moisture barrier and improve moisture retention.
Plumps and firms the skin
As your skin ages, collagen and hyaluronic acid production naturally wanes. This causes a loss of elasticity and volume in the skin. If you do have youthful skin but notice a loss of firmness, it could indicate that your skin is dehydrated. Thankfully, hyaluronic acid skincare products can imbue the skin with moisture, which gives the appearance of plumper, firmer skin.
Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
If you’re building a specific anti-ageing skincare routine, hyaluronic acid is a must-have ingredient. Just as ageing skin becomes prone to sagging, fine lines and wrinkles also gradually appear – as well as more pronounced face contours. Along with a general plumping effect, hyaluronic acid benefits mature skin by significantly decreasing the depth of fine lines, which results in a more youthful appearance.
Improves radiance and softness
Dehydrated skin tends to look a little lacklustre and feel rough, dry and tight. But when you introduce hyaluronic acid skincare products to your skincare routine, it is going to amplify your skin’s moisture levels. This added hydration helps soften the texture of skin, while improving your skin’s natural radiance.
Suitable for all skin types
If you have dry or mature skin, the benefits of hyaluronic acid are obvious. But all skin types can enjoy the effects of well-hydrated skin. Hyaluronic acid essentially keeps your skin’s hydration levels regulated, which prevents your skin from over-producing sebum (and potentially leading to other skin concerns).
How to use hyaluronic acid in your skincare routine
Because it is beneficial to all ages and any skin type, hyaluronic acid skincare products have become a staple in daily skincare regimes. Below, we’ve curated out expert tips to help you reap the benefits of hyaluronic acid at each stage of your routine.
- Use a hydrating cleanser: the Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser is designed to purify the skin while maintaining hydration. In just one use, this face wash leaves the skin deeply cleansed, hydrated and smooth.
- Smooth skin with an eye serum: combat signs of ageing around the eye contour with our Revitalift Filler 2.5% Hyaluronic Acid Eye Serum. Perfect for smoothing and plumping eye lines, while diminishing the look of dark circles.
Can hyaluronic acid be used every day?
Yes, hyaluronic acid can be applied every day. Depending on your skin’s needs, you might use hyaluronic acid skincare products in the morning and evening. The intensive nature of our hyaluronic acid serum means it can be used alone or with other skincare products to ensure optimal hydration.
Is hyaluronic acid good for sensitive skin?
If you have sensitive skin, redness, tightness and discomfort, this can be exacerbated by external pollutants. Since hyaluronic acid can reinforce the skin moisture barrier, this means fewer aggressors can upset sensitive skin.
Does hyaluronic acid work for oily skin?
There’s a misconception that oily skin types don’t need extra hydration because they produce enough sebum. However, if you deprive oily skin of hydration, it can overcompensate and produce even more sebum. One of the major benefits of hyaluronic acid is that it keeps your skin balanced.
Can retinol be combined with hyaluronic acid?
Retinol is a powerful anti-ageing ingredient in its own right, but it can also lead to increased dryness, tightness, and sensitivity. However, you can effectively layer skincare serums like hyaluronic acid over retinol to mitigate its drying side effects. Just ensure that your retinol has completely absorbed first.
You’ll find that there are plenty of hyaluronic acid uses outside of skincare. Next, discover the benefits of hyaluronic acid for hair.
