How to Use Hyaluronic Acid for Skin

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that’s found throughout the body in the eyes, joints, and skin as a gooey, slippery, gel-like lubricant. Almost half of all the hyaluronic acid in the body is present in the skin. Many skincare products contain hyaluronic acid as an ingredient, but using them correctly is important to get the maximum benefits for skin health. If you’re wondering how to use hyaluronic acid, please continue reading. We’ll give you some tips on incorporating hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine.

What does hyaluronic acid do for the skin?

Hyaluronic acid molecules can retain water molecules up to 1,000 times in weight. Therefore, the main thing that hyaluronic acid does for the skin is hydrate it. Hydrated skin is healthy skin. Using hyaluronic acid helps the skin retain moisture and keeps it looking soft, smooth, and radiant. 

With skin aging, the natural levels of this key molecule get depleted. Using hyaluronic acid products can provide an extra boost to your skin’s surface, improve your skin texture and tone, and smooth wrinkles and fine lines. 

Besides retaining moisture, other benefits of hyaluronic acid for the skin include increased skin elasticity, wound healing, and repair of sun-damaged skin.

What are the best hyaluronic acid products?

Hyaluronic acid serums are some of the most common skincare products on the market. Hyaluronic acid also comes in many products as a single or added ingredient that can be purchased in the form of lotion, shampoo, cream, gels, ointments, patches, and powder. In addition, hyaluronic acid oral supplements and injectables are provided by a board-certified dermatologist. It is a common ingredient in dermal fillers.

You should look for skin care products with hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate as an ingredient. Many products combine hyaluronic acid with other ingredients that help in protecting and hydrating skin, such as vitamin C. Also, look for ingredients such as shea butter, cocoa, avocado oil, carnauba wax, beeswax, stearic acid, and lanolin, all of which will help you achieve soft and moisturized skin.

You may need to try a few different products in your skincare routine before you find the ones that work best for your skin. Generally speaking, lower concentrations of hyaluronic acid have a humectant effect (they lock moisture in). These work best for acne breakouts and uneven skin tone. Topical products with higher concentrations of hyaluronic acid, up to 2%, are usually more effective in reducing hyperpigmentation (dark spots) or reducing wrinkles and fine lines.

Another thing to keep in mind is that a lightweight formula with low molecular weights of hyaluronic acid can penetrate deeper layers of the skin and help the skin hold more water.

Is hyaluronic acid safe for all skin types?

Hyaluronic acid is generally considered safe for every skin type, including dry skin, oily skin, and combination skin. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is a good idea to do a patch test on a small area before using a new product all over your face. Beauty products have many ingredients, and any of them can cause adverse effects or allergic reactions depending on your body chemistry. 

If over-the-counter products containing hyaluronic acid cause skin irritation, you should talk to your healthcare provider (your primary care provider or even a dermatologist). They may recommend other treatment options, including hyaluronic acid products designed especially for sensitive skin.

What is the best way to use hyaluronic acid?

The best way to use hyaluronic acid is to apply a few drops of a water-based serum to slightly damp skin. You should do this after cleansing your skin and before applying moisturizer. 

If you are using a hyaluronic acid moisturizer, apply it after cleansing, exfoliating, and using a skin serum. Ideally, you should use the moisturizer twice a day, morning and night.

What is the best time of day to apply hyaluronic acid serum?

You can apply hyaluronic acid twice a day, in the morning and at night, before going to bed. Use it after cleansing and toning on a damp face, and follow it up with moisturizing.

Do you put moisturizer on before hyaluronic acid?

No, you should put moisturizing creams on after hyaluronic acid to seal in the moisture and keep your skin moist. 

Is it OK to use hyaluronic acid every day?

There are hardly any side effects associated with using hyaluronic acid topically, so it is generally safe to use in your daily skincare routine. Unlike chemical peeling (exfoliation) and retinol, which indicate that you use sunscreen, hyaluronic acid is not harsh on the skin and doesn’t require sun protection. However, for comprehensive skincare, it's crucial to incorporate sunscreen into your morning routine when using hyaluronic acid, ensuring your skin is always protected. 

Remember that hyaluronic acid doesn’t provide sun protection, and sunscreen is essential for skin protection at any age. While some skincare products include sunscreen, it's important to remember that not all do. Therefore, it's your responsibility to ensure that sunscreen is a part of your daily skincare routine, keeping your skin safe and healthy. 

What not to mix with hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid works to hydrate, moisturize, and soothe your skin. It mixes well with most skincare ingredients, such as vitamin C, retinol, and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid and lactic acid. 

For example, hyaluronic acid, which is a humectant, pulls moisture in your skin. Glycolic acid, on the other hand, can be dry and irritating. Using the two together can hydrate and moisturize your skin without causing irritation. 

Keep in mind that some combinations of ingredients can irritate your skin and cause dryness, redness, and flaking, and other combinations of ingredients can cancel each other out and be ineffective. 

If including a hyaluronic acid serum or moisturizer in your skincare routine is causing breakouts or stressing your skin out, stop the use and read the ingredients carefully before switching to a different product.