THE SKINCARE BENEFITS OF HYALURONIC ACID

Hyaluronic acid has become one of the most revered ingredients in all of skincare, showing up on the ingredients lists of all kinds of products from serums to masks and moisturisers. Unless you’re completely lacking in a skincare routine, there’s a fair chance this hydrating ingredient is something you’ve already been using – but have you been doing it right?

Hyaluronic acid hydrates, plumps and strengthens the skin, but only when applied as part of quality products and in the right way. Let’s walk through the impressive list of benefits of hyaluronic acid for different skin types and how to apply it for optimal hydration. We’ll also learn about hyaluronic acid enriched skincare from our Hydra Zen range.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Despite its name, hyaluronic acid isn’t really acidic at all. Instead, this impressive ingredient is actually made up of natural sugar molecules in a long chain.

The key to why hyaluronic acid works well to moisturise the complexion is because it occurs naturally within the human body. Hyaluronic acid is found in your skin and connective tissues, helping to keep these areas of the body enriched with moisture. As with other skin loving substances such as collagen and elastin, the body produces less and less hyaluronic acid as you age. This is part of why mature skin tends to be drier and more dehydrated than younger skin.

Why is hyaluronic acid good for skin?

So, how does hyaluronic acid work within the skin? In simple terms, hyaluronic acid acts similarly to a sponge, sucking moisture from the air into the surface of your skin. In more scientific terms, hyaluronic acid attracts and retains water molecules by bonding with collagen on one side and water in the other.

When applied on damp skin, hyaluronic acid draws that moisture into the stratum corneum – the skin’s outermost layer. Research has shown that hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water, so this hydrating effect can have a big impact on how skin looks and feels.

Keep reading to learn more about how hyaluronic acid creates changes in the way your skin looks and feels.

Intensive hydration

Hyaluronic acid for dry skin is an ideal match because it’s classed as a humectant ingredient. Humectant ingredients are those that hydrate skin from within by attracting water from the atmosphere into the skin. Humectant ingredients stand in contrast to emollient and occlusive ingredients, which help comfort the skin’s surface and seal in moisture respectively.

Humectants like hyaluronic acid help provide intensive hydration without the heavy feeling of emollients or occlusive. For example, our Hydra Zen Glow Liquid Moisturiser with hyaluronic acid improves the skin’s natural alibility to minimise water loss, with a light milk-like texture. Ideal for use before makeup, this formula won’t leave a sticky residue.

Instant plumping

As part of hydrating the skin, applying topical hyaluronic acid will help your skin look plumper and firmer. How? Hyaluronic acid plumps your skin on a cellular level by binding water molecules to each of your skin cells to replenish any lost moisture.

Its skin plumping properties also mean hyaluronic acid is one of the most efficacious ways to visibly minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This reduction comes into effect quickly as water is drawn into the skin.

Skin barrier support

The benefits of hyaluronic acid for sensitive skin make this ingredient well suited to the skin type. Hyaluronic acid is not known to trigger reactions or allergies for sensitive skin and can even help address some root causes of sensitivity.

The skin has a natural moisture barrier that keeps hydration in and pollution out. When this barrier is weakened, your skin can become rough, dry and sensitised due to increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Hyaluronic acid helps mitigate TEWL, meaning this powerful ingredient can provide skin barrier protection and intense hydration at the same time.

Lightweight texture

This ingredient has a lightweight and watery texture, making hyaluronic serums well suited to layer under other serums or creams as part of a routine. Moisturisers enriched with hyaluronic acid can be ultra-hydrating without needing a heavy texture. Hyaluronic acid for oily skin is an ideal pairing due to these characteristics, as it provides necessary hydration without an oily or comedogenic formula.

Absorbs quickly

Because hyaluronic acid is a natural part of the skin, this ingredient is absorbed incredibly quickly and easily into your complexion. Unlike some skincare formulas, you won’t need to wait a long time for hyaluronic acid to sink in before moving on to the next step in your skincare regime.

How to use hyaluronic acid within a skincare routine

The best place within your skincare routine to use hyaluronic acid depends on which kind of hyaluronic acid product you’ve chosen. Hyaluronic acid is often seen in serums, which should be applied after cleanser but before moisturiser. If you’re opting for our innovative Hydra Zen Glow Liquid Moisturiser, apply after your serums but before adding SPF as the final step in your routine. Follow up with our Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Eye Care to protect this delicate area, or our Hydra Zen Neurocalm Night Cream in the evening.

How to apply hyaluronic acid

It’s important to apply hyaluronic acid products like our Hydra Zen Glow Liquid Moisturiser correctly to achieve optimal skin benefits. We recommend applying 2-3 pumps of moisturiser to your entire face, making sure not to skip the all-important neck area. Gently press the formula into your skin to help the product absorb, while avoiding any harsh rubbing motions. Applying hyaluronic acid to slightly damp skin can help this ingredient hydrate your skin with more ease.