If you’ve spent any time exploring skincare ingredients, chances are you’ve come across hyaluronic acid-aka the holy grail of hydration. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring molecule in our bodies, primarily found in the skin, eyes, and connective tissue. Its job? To hold onto moisture. In fact, just one gram of HA can hold up to six liters of water.
Understanding Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid belongs to a type of long, complicated chain-like molecules called polymers. The chain has plenty of spots on it where other chemical compounds, like water, can latch on. That’s why a quarter-teaspoon of hyaluronic acid can hold about one and a half gallons of water, making it the best polymer-natural or artificial-for absorbing water and a key ingredient in moisturizing products.
Because it has lots of space for other molecules to latch on, hyaluronic acid is great for transporting other molecules throughout your body. It also has the ability to attach itself to cells, which is why targeted delivery of medications using hyaluronic acid is a major topic of study. Hyaluronic acid’s chain-like structure also means it can act like a scaffold structure, allowing tissues to grow. This is a key step in how wounds heal on your body. Scientists have also found hyaluronic acid in human embryos and are studying what role hyaluronic acid plays in reproduction and development.
How Hyaluronic Acid Works in Skincare
Hyaluronic acid doesn’t just sit on the surface-it penetrates into the deeper layers of your skin, drawing in water like a magnet. This plumps up skin cells and replenishes moisture from within. Dehydration is one of the biggest culprits behind dullness, irritation, and premature aging.
Key Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid for Skin
Hyaluronic acid boasts a long list of benefits for the skin. First up? Smoother skin. When skin is hydrated, fine lines and wrinkles are less noticeable. Over time, consistent use of HA can improve skin texture and elasticity by reinforcing the skin’s structure.
Hyaluronic acid supplements can help your skin look and feel more supple. While the natural aging process and exposure to environmental factors can decrease its amounts in the skin, taking hyaluronic acid supplements may prevent this decline by giving your body extra amounts to incorporate into the skin. Doses of 120-240 milligrams (mg) per day for at least 1 month have been shown to significantly increase skin moisture and reduce dry skin in adults. Hydrated skin also reduces the appearance of wrinkles, which may explain why several studies show that supplementing with it can make skin appear smoother.
When applied to the surface of the skin, hyaluronic acid serums can reduce wrinkles, redness, and dermatitis. Some dermatologists even inject hyaluronic acid fillers to keep skin looking firm and youthful.
Calming and Soothing Properties
If your skin ever feels tight, itchy, or inflamed, hyaluronic acid can help. It has incredible calming properties, making it ideal for people with sensitive, reactive, or post-treatment skin.
Enhancing Other Skincare Ingredients
Think of hyaluronic acid as the ultimate team player in your skincare routine. It preps your skin to absorb other active ingredients more effectively by plumping the surface and creating a hydrated base.
Hyaluronic Acid in Various Applications
Hyaluronic acid has a variety of uses. Many people take it as a supplement, but it’s also used in topical serums, eye drops, and injections. It’s most often used for skin, joint, and eye health.
Skin Health and Anti-Aging
Long-term use of hyaluronic acid serum on your skin or in a supplement taken by mouth can improve overall skin health. It’s also great for helping improve overall skin flexibility and elasticity (meaning it makes your skin more stretchy and soft).
Topical application of this beneficial ingredient supports the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture in every layer of skin. When applied topically, some age-defying benefits include plumping, smoothing, firming, and even significantly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Wound Healing
Hyaluronic acid also plays a key role in wound healing. It’s naturally present in the skin, but its concentrations increase when there is damage in need of repair. Hyaluronic acid helps wounds heal faster by regulating inflammation levels and signaling the body to build more blood vessels in the damaged area. Applying it to skin wounds has been shown to reduce the size of wounds and decrease pain faster than a placebo or no treatment at all. Hyaluronic acid also has antibacterial properties, so it may help reduce the risk of infection when applied directly to open wounds.
Joint Pain Relief
Hyaluronic acid is also found in the joints, where it keeps the space between your bones lubricated. When the joints are lubricated, the bones are less likely to grind against each other and cause uncomfortable pain. Hyaluronic acid supplements are very helpful for people with osteoarthritis. Taking 80-200 mg daily for at least 2 months has been shown to significantly reduce knee pain in people with osteoarthritis, especially those between the ages of 40 and 70 years old. Hyaluronic acid can also be injected directly into the joints for pain relief.
Dry Eye and Discomfort
Since hyaluronic acid is excellent at retaining moisture, it’s often used to treat dry eye. Eye drops containing 0.2-0.4% hyaluronic acid have been shown to reduce dry eye symptoms and improve eye health. Contact lenses that contain slow-release hyaluronic acid are also being developed as a possible treatment for dry eye. In addition, hyaluronic acid eye drops are frequently used during eye surgery to reduce inflammation and speed wound healing.
Bone Strength and Bladder Pain
New animal research has begun to investigate the effects of hyaluronic acid supplements on bone health. Studies have found that hyaluronic acid supplements can help slow the rate of bone loss in rats with osteopenia. Some test-tube studies have also shown that high doses of hyaluronic acid can increase the activity of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for building new bone tissue.
Hyaluronic acid has been found to help relieve the pain and urinary frequency associated with interstitial cystitis, or painful bladder syndrome, when inserted directly into the bladder through a catheter. Researchers hypothesize that it helps repair damage to bladder tissue, making it less sensitive to pain.
How to Use Hyaluronic Acid in Your Skincare Routine
To reap the full benefits of a hyaluronic acid serum, it is recommended to apply it to clean, damp skin up to twice a day. Applying hyaluronic acid to damp skin will allow the ingredient to absorb and retain the excess water instead of pulling water from your skin, which can happen if applied to dry skin.
- Kick things off with a light, refreshing cleanse to remove overnight buildup. Opt for a soft cleansing foam that keeps skin feeling clear yet comfortable.
- Add in an eye gel with hyaluronic acid. Formulas made specifically for the eye contour area can be both essential and effective. Thanks to its ability to bind to water, this hydrating ingredient can help restore elasticity and moisture levels around the eyes as well.
- Apply a soothing hyaluronic acid serum both morning and evening. This simple act of self-care can help to replenish and boost your skin’s moisture levels, leaving skin looking radiant.
- Seal in moisture with an HA cream. Hyaluronic acid creams work to retain hydration, acting as the layer that seals everything in. Moisturizers with hyaluronic acid help to maintain water levels, providing sustained action throughout the day.
- Reach for a sunscreen with hyaluronic acid. A hydrating sunscreen can be a great choice for all skin types. Look for a lightweight formula that doesn’t feel greasy or heavy on the skin.
One step further: Nails need moisture, too! Did you know hyaluronic acid can also help strengthen and moisturize nails and cuticles? There’s one type called cationic hyaluronic acid-think of it as an enhanced version of our hydration hero, working to moisturize the nail plate and cuticle.
Once fully absorbed, follow with a moisturizer, proceed with the rest of your skincare routine, and then apply makeup, if desired. Hydrated skin doesn’t just look beautiful bare; it also creates a better canvas for makeup application as it helps to minimize texture under foundation and concealer.
Hyaluronic Acid and Other Skincare Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C make a gentle yet powerful skincare combo. The benefits of both complement each other to create a rejuvenating effect. However, when in doubt, test it out.
It’s important to note that while hyaluronic acid is generally safe, prescription products and injections should only be administered by a licensed, qualified medical professional.
Safety and Precautions
Hyaluronic acid is generally very safe to use, with few reported side effects. Since the body naturally produces it, allergic reactions are very rare. However, its effects during pregnancy or breastfeeding have not been thoroughly studied, so these groups should be cautious and avoid supplementing with it. There is also some evidence that cancer cells are sensitive to hyaluronic acid, and taking supplements could make them grow faster. For this reason, it is generally advised that people with cancer or a history of cancer avoid supplementing with it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is hyaluronic acid good for acne?
Hyaluronic acid is widely used as an ingredient in fillers that repair or conceal scars left behind by acne. There has been some limited research into combinations of hyaluronic acid and other medications to treat acne, but so far, there isn’t much evidence that these are effective.
How often should I use it?
Visible effects of hydration may show up quickly, but any rejuvenating effects typically take at least 30 days to appear. Applying hyaluronic acid to damp skin can be done up to twice a day.
What should I look for when buying Hyaluronic Acid?
When choosing which hyaluronic acid products to incorporate into your skincare regimen, it’s important to keep in mind that not all hyaluronic acid is created equal. The hyaluronic acid in serums and moisturizers often comes in different forms or molecular weights. The smaller the molecule, the deeper the ingredient can penetrate to reach lower layers of the skin (the dermis), while the larger molecules hydrate closer to the surface (the epidermis). Consider incorporating products formulated with multiple forms of hyaluronic acid to achieve optimal results.