Hyaluronic Acid: Everything You Need to Know

Hyaluronic acid – the name’s everywhere right now. The trending skin care ingredient is plastered across product packaging, typed up in magazines, and mentioned by our girlfriends excitedly over brunch.

Hyaluronic acid is trending in the world of beauty, and for a good reason – there’s pretty much no other ingredient out there that can help improve moisture levels the way it can.

But while you may have heard of the term, do you know much about hyaluronic acid and why you should incorporate it into your daily skincare routine? No? Then keep reading.

Here’s everything you need to know about the hottest skincare ingredient on the market and how you can start using it.

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

The term hyaluronic acid can sound a bit daunting at first, but don’t be put off by the word acid. Acids for skin may sound like they strip and cause irritation, but they’re key for a beautiful, hydrated, and clear complexion.

While skin care trends come and go, the use of hyaluronic acid is expected to stand the test of time. Today, it’s one of the best-known skin care ingredients you can use on your skin.

Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan which is a fancy name for a crucial naturally occurring substance in the skin that maintains strength and elasticity. As a result, hyaluronic acid works to keep the skin hydrated, safeguarded, and renewed.

Hyaluronic acid is also a humectant. If you’re wondering what on earth that is, a humectant is a category of hygroscopic skin care ingredients. That means they attract moisture from their surroundings.

This makes hyaluronic acid ideal for hydrating skin that’s thirsty, dry, and dehydrated. During the blustery, cold winter months when our skin dries out easily, hyaluronic acid is a dream ingredient to remedy that parched skin we develop in the cooler seasons.
Say goodbye to dull, tired skin this winter!

Who Should Use Hyaluronic Acid?

Despite the scary-sounding name, hyaluronic acid is gentle and effective for all skin types. That’s even if your skin happens to be super sensitive or redness-prone. As hyaluronic acid is so calming, it’s even suitable for acne-prone skin and can even help settle the skin.

If you do suffer from sensitive skin, keep an eye out for products containing hyaluronic acid that are fragrance-free. You may even be able to find suitable products that are specially designed for acne-prone or rosacea-prone skin if you look hard enough!

As mentioned, those who suffer from very dry or parched skin will especially love the hydrating effects of hyaluronic acid. Keep an eye out for hyaluronic products that contain the buzz words ‘hydrating’, ‘intensive’ or ‘replenishing’ for ultimate hydration.

What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do?

So, hyaluronic acid sounds amazing, but what does it actually do?

Well, there’s a science behind the magic. Did you know that hyaluronic acid can retain over 1,000 times its weight in water? Clever, huh?

What’s also incredible about the ingredient is that hyaluronic acid can do this without flooding skin with too much water. As you can imagine, this can also be an issue because too much moisture destroys key substances that usually keep the skin’s surface intact. And as we all know, there can always be too much of a good thing!

With the use of hyaluronic acid, the skin is left revitalized, hydrated, and smooth. Dreamy!

How Should I Add Hyaluronic Acid to My Skincare Routine?

Now, you know what exactly hyaluronic acid is and how it works, you may be wondering how to incorporate this miracle ingredient into your daily skincare routine.

Hyaluronic acid can be found in a plethora of skincare products including moisturizers, serums, toners, and face masks, so there’s a huge variety of ways you can start soaking up the good stuff.

Using a hyaluronic acid serum is a great way to offer your skin maximum hydration from the ingredient. We love PCA Skin’s Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum, which works to plump and firm skin with its advanced formula. The serum offers deep and long-lasting hydration on not one, not two, but three levels!

Hydration is provided on the surface of the skin, deeper in the skin, and by the skin improving its production of hyaluronic acid. If you’re looking for a strong and effective product to smooth and improve skin, this serum comes up tops.

To use, simply apply the serum to the face and neck after cleansing in both the morning and the evening. Then, follow with moisturizer.

Alternatively, you might consider using hyaluronic acid in the form of a hydrating daily moisturizer. La Roche-Posay Hydraphase HA Light Hyaluronic Acid Face Moisturizer is an ideal formula to bind moisture to the skin, improve skin texture, and promotes a healthy complexion.

To use, simply apply after cleansing. In the daytime, don’t forget to apply sunscreen afterward!

Want to discover more products containing this super ingredient? Check out our full range of  hyaluronic acid products here.