What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic (pronounced hi-ah-lew-ron-ic) acid (HA) — also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate — is a gooey, slippery substance that your body produces naturally. Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most powerful hydrating ingredients used in skincare
What does hyaluronic acid do for you?
Hyaluronic acid is a remarkable substance because of all the benefits and uses it has in your body. Here are just a few of the benefits of hyaluronic acid:
- It helps keep things hydrated. Hyaluronic acid is very good at retaining water. A quarter-teaspoon of hyaluronic acid holds about one and a half gallons of water. That’s why hyaluronic acid is often used for treating dry eyes. It’s also used in moisturizing creams, lotions, ointments and serums for that moist and dewy look throughout the day.
- It makes your skin flexible. Hyaluronic acid helps skin stretch and flex and reduces skin wrinkles and lines. Hyaluronic acid is also proven to help wounds heal faster and can reduce scarring.
Does hyaluronic acid work?
Yes, depending on how it’s used. It’s a versatile molecule and scientists are still finding new and beneficial ways to use it.
You can find hyaluronic acid in tons of skincare products, but leave-on products (like toners, essences, serums and moisturizers) will give you the best hydrating results. Dr. Talakoub recommends using a water or gel-based product with hyaluronic acid if you have oily skin an oil-based product with hyaluronic acid for dry skin. But if you’re using a straight-up serum, you absolutely need to layer it under a moisturizer and/or face oil.
Is hyaluronic acid safe?
Hyaluronic acid is safe and beneficial to use everyday for maintaining skin hydration. You just need to make sure you're applying it correctly. As a rule, you want to apply your hyaluronic acid product to clean, damp skin, and the lock it in with a moisturizers and face oil.
It’s got to sit on that top layer of your skin to hold the moisture in so it doesn’t evaporate from your skin barrier.
Think of hyaluronic acid as a team player that works best when used with a cream