What if I instructed you there was a magical skincare potion that might naturally infuse moisture and bounce into your pores and skin, soften wrinkles, and offer you a dewy glow—no go to to the derm required? That’s the magic of hyaluronic acid. However as overrated as this buzzy ingredient is, it may possibly’t work its wonders with out correct utility. That’s why at this time, we’re diving into all of the dos and don’ts of the way to use hyaluronic acid for wholesome, glowy pores and skin.
It’s no secret that hyaluronic has been all over the place these previous few years. I’ve seen it popping up in every thing from cleaners to oils to masks to oral magnificence dietary supplements. All these completely different formulations acquired me questioning whether or not all hyaluronic acid remedies have been alike, or if (as I hypothesized) sure methods of getting the great things have been higher than others. And so my analysis started. Seems, my hunch was proper.
Featured picture from our interview with Iskra Lawrence by Michelle Nash.

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Professional Secrets and techniques Behind Methods to Use Hyaluronic Acid
How, when, and in what formulation… these items actually do matter on the subject of getting your day by day dose of HA. So, I linked with the crew at Olay to set the story straight. (Relating to what’s proper and what’s unsuitable, suppose minimal effort, max outcomes.) Scroll on for the secrets and techniques to your most lovely, moisturized pores and skin…
What’s hyaluronic acid?
First, a fast lesson on what makes hyaluronic acid the surprise ingredient that it’s. HA acts as a “humectant.” Because of this it really works like a sponge to assist the pores and skin retain water and plump it up. We even have pure ranges of hyaluronic acid in our pores and skin, however as we age, they slowly deplete. This results in wrinkles and a lack of bounce within the pores and skin.
HA has the unimaginable capability to draw and maintain onto 1000x its weight in moisture. And herein lies the important thing. Hyaluronic acid ought to be used both in a moisturizer or at the side of your moisturizing merchandise. Once you add moisture to the pores and skin, you’re giving the HA added water to soak up and maintain onto, slightly than pulling moisture out of dry pores and skin.
As a substitute, HA brings moisture to the floor of the pores and skin and holds it there, conserving the pores and skin frequently moisturized all through the day. To check this in motion, I’ve been experimenting with my favourite hyaluronic acid merchandise over the previous few years (see under). There’s little doubt that my pores and skin is visibly dewier and smoother, with elevated elasticity. And it stays that approach all day with out ever getting greasy.
Common Hyaluronic Acid Mistakes
These are a few of the most common mistakes made when incorporating hyaluronic acid into a skincare routine—and how to fix them so this super ingredient can do its job right.
Mistake 1: Using Hyaluronic Acid Without Moisturizer
Since HA can hold a lot of water, just think about it: it needs moisture to work. If the skin is already dry and HA is applied in a formula that doesn’t add moisture (think cleanser, toner, or light serum), it will pull moisture from wherever it can, like from deep within your skin, where it can then evaporate into the air if not sealed properly.
On the other hand, when HA is formulated within a deeply hydrating moisturizer (or again, a moisturizer is used after), that emollient will penetrate and lock moisture into the skin, which is, of course, the goal.
Mistake 2: Not Utilizing Hyaluronic Acid because the Last Step in Skincare
With all the flamboyant HA formulations in the marketplace now (serums, tablets, masks, and a lot extra), it may be tempting to undertake a “extra the merrier” mentality. Nonetheless, some analysis has proven that overuse of hyaluronic acid can lead to redness and irritation. The takeaway: Select the one step the place you’ll get the most important bang on your buck. Since we’ve established that HA wants moisture-packed padding for optimum effectiveness, locking it in (inside a wealthy, well-formulated moisturizer) as the ultimate step in your AM and PM skincare routine will go away you with hours of easy, bouncy pores and skin.
Mistake 3: Applying Hyaluronic Acid To Dry Skin
When HA is applied to dry skin in dry conditions, it will naturally pull moisture from wherever it can. So, if there’s low humidity in the air, it draws moisture from the deeper layers of skin and brings it to the surface, where it then evaporates and leaves skin drier than it was in the first place.
But when you start your HA skincare routine with a damp face, it has a reserve of moisture to pull from, plain and simple. Understanding this has been a game changer that’s resulted in my healthiest, most moisturized skin ever.
So, prepare yourself for my new favorite new skincare hack. Each morning and evening, I mist my face with water, then apply my chosen hyaluronic acid serum products, then mist again.
When hyaluronic acid comes into contact with water, my skin will end up hydrated and healthy. In the morning, I have a smooth canvas for my makeup—none of that “settling into fine lines” thing happening around my eyes these days.
The Best Hyaluronic Acid Products to Get Started
Every product is curated with care by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Moisturizer
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream comprises ultra-high concentrations of HA, smoothing out high-quality strains and remodeling pores and skin upon first use. It’s additionally infused with vitamin B3 for pores and skin cell turnover, plus amino-peptides and antioxidants for final well being and hydration. I’ve been utilizing it as the ultimate step in my morning and night time skincare routine for the previous couple of months, and it’s turn into a non-negotiable in my lineup. In any case, hydrated pores and skin is glad pores and skin!
Summer Fridays Dream Oasis
Have you ever obsessed over Summer season Fridays for the reason that model launched its hero product, the Jet Lag Mask? Then you understand it’s all about hydrating pores and skin as a lot as attainable. This jelly serum provides main moisture with out weighing the pores and skin down. Formulated with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and squalane, Dream Oasis is a go-to alternative for any pores and skin sort. That’s proper—delicate, oily, and acne-prone included.
VERSED Moisture Maker Hyaluronic Serum
Our Managing Editor, Isabelle, is obsessive about this hyaluronic serum (learn her full overview of VERSED’s whole line here). She swears by the next routine for visibly plumper pores and skin after the primary use: “After cleaning, I patted my pores and skin virtually dry—that is key—earlier than making use of two drops of the serum to my face, neck, and chest. I waited a minute or so earlier than making use of my face oil and moisturizer.”
Dime Hyaluronic Acid Serum
For some, it may be a guessing sport as to which hyaluronic acid serum will assist your pores and skin greatest. Nonetheless, from polling girlfriends, co-workers, and social media acquaintances, it’s clear that this is without doubt one of the greatest when it comes to delivering hydration minus any irritation. And since hyaluronic acid has been recognized to behave as a service for different substances, by utilizing this product in tandem with different skincare heavy hitters (your go-to moisturizer and different facial oils), even the driest pores and skin will get pleasure from slightly further increase and bounce.
Alder New York Balancing Serum
I’m obsessive about each single final product this vegan skincare line places out. However the Balancing Serum? It could be my all-time fave. I take into account it a morning and night time important and a go-to for decreasing redness and night my pores and skin texture. What’s extra, as a result of my pores and skin leans on the oilier aspect, I can depend on this serum to stability it out. Plus, every of the model’s merchandise is formulated for all ages, genders, and ethnicities. So everybody can get pleasure from their healthiest pores and skin.
This submit was initially printed on September 3, 2020, and has since been up to date.