All About Hyaluronic Acid

Healthy skin is hydrated skin. Every cell, tissue, and organ in our bodies needs water to function properly, and a lack of water in the skin leads not just to dryness and more fine lines and wrinkles, but also to dullness and a loss of elasticity.

While we all know drinking plenty of water is key to keeping our bodies hydrated, there are other ways to help your skin maintain the moisture it needs topically. Enter Hyaluronic Acid, a humectant that can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water.  

Humectants are substances that attract and hold onto water molecules and, in skincare, Hyaluronic Acid is the hero of humectant ingredients, infusing the skin with moisture without irritation resulting in a plumper, more dewy complexion.  

Read on to learn more about Hyaluronic Acid and humectants. 

What is Hyaluronic Acid?  

Hyaluronic Acid is a molecule found naturally in the body’s connective tissues that helps to cushion, lubricate, and retain moisture. While Hyaluronic Acid is naturally present in our bodies, as we age and are exposed to oxidative stress caused by pollutants and UV irradiation, natural levels deplete, resulting in a loss of skin moisture.  

What is a Humectant?  

Humectants are substances that attract and bind to water, and Hyaluronic Acid is the holy grail of humectants, capable of binding over one thousand times its weight in water.  

How does Hyaluronic Acid benefit the skin?  

Because hydration is the key to healthy skin, the regular use of Hyaluronic Acid has multiple benefits. By boosting your skin’s hydration levels, Hyaluronic Acid’s plumping action reduces the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. By improving overall skin health, it also boosts barrier function.  

How to use Hyaluronic Acid  

Hyaluronic Acid is easy to incorporate into your skincare routine, but there is a trick when learning how to use it properly. Because humectants pull moisture from wherever they can – both air and skin – when used incorrectly, Hyaluronic Acid can cause dehydration. Therefore, Hyaluronic Acid must always be applied to slightly damp skin and should always be followed by an emollient moisturizer to keep that hydration locked in.  

Who can use Hyaluronic Acid? 

Hyaluronic Acid is suitable for all skin types and tones and has not been linked to any adverse reactions such as irritation or redness. By incorporating this hero hydrator into your skincare routine, you can boost your skin’s moisture levels and restore plumpness and elasticity instantly.