Hyaluronic Acid is well known for its skin benefits, especially alleviating dry skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and speeding up wound healing.
Hyaluronic acid helps to bind water to collagen, trapping it into the skin, so skin can appear more hydrated, plumper and dewier.
HA is a key molecule when it comes to skin ageing (based on research).
What does HA do for the skin?
Hyaluronic Acid naturally is present in our body. Approximately half of the HA in our body is our skin where it binds to water to help retain moisture. HA is the main component of what gives your skin structure. It plays an important role in the wound healing process.
As we age the amount of HA in our skin structure decreases. The natural ageing process and exposure to things like UV exposure, tobacco smoke and pollution can decrease its amounts in the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid as an ingredient in skincare products
Probably you’ve heard the term transepidermal water loss, or TEWL for short? TEWL is a term that describes how much water has evaporated from the skin. Hyaluronic Acid keeps our skin hydrated by preventing water from evaporating from the surface of our skin meaning HA prevents TEWL.
How to use Hyaluronic Acid?
The use of Hyaluronic Acid depends on the kind of product you want to use. The most common forms of HA are moisturisers and serums. Skin Experts recommend using it twice a day, always after cleansing. If you use a serum infused with Hyaluronic Acid it is important to apply a serum on still-damp skin. Use a moisturiser infused with Hyaluronic Acid at the time when you’d usually moisturise.
Which skin type suits Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most gentle ingredients when it comes to skincare. HA can be used by all skin types, even the most redness-prone, sensitive skin and problematic skin.
HA and Vitamin C
Hyaluronic Acid plays well with most other ingredients and can be paired with peels, retinol, vitamins, and other acids. If you are looking for extra ingredients for your skin for optimal skin health, pair Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C. Hyaluronic acid helps keep skin moisturized, while vitamin C protects from sun damage and can help fade skin discolouration.
Both ingredients can help reduce the signs of aging in skin — especially when they’re used together. By combining those two ingredients you repair, protect and slow down ageing process in your skin.
Benefits of HA
- Hydrating power: Hyaluronic Acid helps replenish and hold cell moisture, leading to hydrated, plump skin.
- Anti-ageing ingredient: Since dehydrated skin is one of the main causes of wrinkles, HA replenishes lost moisture and helps reduce the appearance of any fine lines.
- Perfect for all skin types – Hyaluronic Acid is non-irritating and safe for use with all skin types.
- Fast absorbing: Unlike some skincare products, Hyaluronic Acid quickly absorbs into the skin, meaning you lose less product.
Side effects of HA
Hyaluronic Acid is an ingredient in face care products characterized by little to non side effects.
It is crucial to apply HA on damp skin.
If you’re applying Hyaluronic Acid to a very dry face, it can actually end up drawing moisture from the deeper levels of your skin, which in turn will cause more harm than good and leave your complexion feeling tight and uncomfortable.
FAQ:
Can I use hyaluronic acid on my face every day?
Yes. Our Skin expert recommends applying Hyaluronic Acid once or twice a day to cleansed, damp skin. Remember to apply a moisturiser on the top of your serum with HA so it doesn’t evaporate from your skin barrier.
What’s better retinol or Hyaluronic Acid?
Those both ingredients work on different skin concerns and different parts of the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid repairs and hydrates the upper layers of the skin, while retinol has multiple effects deeper within the skin.
Can you use Hyaluronic Acid under the eyes?
Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most gentle ingredients when it comes to skincare. HA can be used under eyes. It smooths away the appearance of those imperfections underneath the eyes, making eyes look bright and lively.
Why is it called an acid if it doesn’t exfoliate the skin?
Hyaluronic Acid is the complete opposite of most the acids you know (lactic, glycolic and salicylic). HA doesn’t exfoliate dead skin cells. The name “acid” derives from the enzyme that synthesises HA, called ‘hyaluronic acid synthase’.
Which is better collagen or Hyaluronic Acid?
Both HA and Collagen work as anti-ageing ingredients.
Collagen firms the skin while Hyaluronic Acid nourishes and hydrates collagen.
Can HA make wrinkles worse?
Hyaluronic Acid can make wrinkles worse only if you use it incorrectly. By applying HA on a completely dry skin and without applying a moisturiser – HA has the opposite effect of its intended purpose, leaving skin drier, thirstier and more prone to showing signs of ageing. Always apply HA on damp skin and apply a layer of moisturiser on the top of HA serum.
Can HA clog pores?
HA is a non-comedogenic ingredient, it means it doesn’t clog pores.
Be careful when choosing a Hyaluronic Acid serum where the ingredient list doesn’t contain any pore-clogging ingredients.
Can oily skin use HA ?
HA can be used on oily skin type. By including HA into your daily routine, you can hydrate your skin to the optimum level, which will reduce the amount of oil that your skin produces during the day.
Is HA good for acne?
HA is a good skincare ingredient for acne. HA can help reduce redness and the visible appearance of acne. It can help to protect the skin, which is particular helpful for acne-prone skin, as it typically doesn’t have a very strong lipid barrier.
Products rich in HA recommended by Esse&Co Skin Expert:
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