Adding hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine is a popular expert tip to keep skin hydrated and get other benefits like cell repair, reducing wrinkles and lines, and making skin look younger.
In this article, we'll cover what hyaluronic acid is, its benefits for skin, and how to use it right.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
The body naturally produces hyaluronic acid, with about half of it found in the skin, making it super important for skin health. That's why it’s included in skincare products.
Besides skin, hyaluronic acid is in bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and lips. As we age, our levels drop, so people use skincare products with hyaluronic acid.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid can hold 1000 times its weight in water. It links with water molecules to keep skin and joints moist. So, it’s used in skincare as a humectant to help skin hold onto water.
Also, hyaluronic acid acts as a cushion for joints, nerves, and skin. By holding water, it helps keep skin flexible and can improve how skin looks and feels at any age.
Besides that, hyaluronic acid can provide some other important benefits, which include:-
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Helping wounds heal.
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Fixing damaged skin cells.
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Acting as aantioxidant that protects skin from free radical damage.
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Boosts production of collagen which is important for the skin.
Side effects of hyaluronic acid
The word acid might sound harsh to some people and make them worry about products that contain it. But since hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by the body, it is safe.
Experts say allergic reactions to hyaluronic acid are rare and usually happen because of other ingredients in the product. It's advised to avoid anything over 2% concentration to prevent irritation or dryness.
Also, it's best to do a patch test on a small skin area before using a new product on the whole face. If you get any side effects, you should see a dermatologist for advice.
Precautions for using hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid products suit all skin types, even sensitive or acne-prone skin. It's also safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Also, you can ask dermatologists for advice and product recommendations based on your skin type or concerns.
Forms of hyaluronic acid
Because hyaluronic acid is so common in skincare, it shows up in many forms from serums and moisturizers to supplements and injections.
But not all products have the same amount of hyaluronic acid or cause the same effects. This depends on several factors, including:-
- Concentration of hyaluronic acid
Some products feature hyaluronic acid in its salt form (sodium hyaluronate) as the main ingredient. They have higher acid concentration aiming to hydrate and fight aging signs.
Products with lower concentrations can work as moisturizers for various purposes like acne treatment and evening skin tone.
- Molecular weights of hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid can come in different molecular weights. The lower the molecular weight, the deeper its molecules can go into the skin.
High molecular weight hyaluronic acid can form a thin layer on the skin's surface instead of penetrating skin layers.
Studies found that low molecular weight hyaluronic acid formulas are linked to a big reduction in wrinkles because they penetrate the skin better and deeper.
- Hyaluronic acid injections or fillers
Some dermatologists inject hyaluronic acid directly to reduce wrinkles, hydrate, and generally rejuvenate the skin. These injections offer stronger support against aging signs than topical products but can cause side effects like swelling and bruises.
How to choose a good hyaluronic acid product
When picking a good hyaluronic acid product, you should consider several things, including:
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Hyaluronic acid works best in products aimed at hydration.
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Avoid products with harsh stuff like alcohol, fragrances, or anything with high concentrations.
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Any moisturizer should stop water from leaving the skin and evaporating. It should have ingredients that block the skin to keep water inside, like:
- Butters like shea and cocoa.
- Oils like avocado.
- Beeswax and carnauba wax.
- Lanolin and fatty acids.
Plus some other helper ingredients, like:
- Vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant to help protect cells from free radical damage.
- Vitamin B5, which is used to moisturize and soften the skin.
How to add hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine
Adding hyaluronic acid to your skincare depends on the type of product used. Serums and moisturizers are the most common forms of hyaluronic acid.
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Moisturizers:- Use a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid at the times you'd normally hydrate your skin. Ideally, that's twice a day and always after cleansing, exfoliating, or applying serums.
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Serums:- Hyaluronic acid serum has a slightly different routine. After cleansing when your skin is still damp, put a few drops on your face and rub it in with your palm, then apply moisturizer immediately to lock it in.
Hyaluronic acid works well with most popular skincare ingredients, andwhich include:-
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Vitamin C.
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Alpha Hydroxy Acids AHAs.
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Beta Hydroxy Acids BHAs.
It's always best to follow the specific product instructions and start slowly. In general, hyaluronic acid can be safely used morning and night.
Seeing Results from Hyaluronic Acid
Results times can vary between products. Most topical hyaluronic acid products tend to have temporary effects, where you start to notice your skin looking plumper or more hydrated within minutes.
But if you're looking to reduce fine lines and other signs of aging, you might need to wait two months to see a difference.
In the end, if you want to keep your skin hydrated while reducing signs of aging, hyaluronic acid is the easiest way. It's simple to use, has no major side effects, is available in many products, and works for all skin types.
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