Everything You Need To Know About Hyaluronic Acid

We take a closer look at hyaluronic acid, the hero skincare ingredient that can help you create a healthy, radiant complexion.

You’ve no doubt heard that hyaluronic acid offers big beauty pay-offs, but you may be unsure as to what it is and how it works. If so, you’re in the right place. We shed some light on the mega moisturising ingredient that holds the key to smooth, flawless and hydrated skin.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) might sound scary but don’t be put off by the name; it’s not an exfoliator or a peel as one might assume; rather it’s a natural and powerful moisture-binding substance that delivers gentle hydration where your skin needs it most. HA can hold up to 1 000 times its weight in water, so it delivers hydration to skin and helps skin retain moisture levels, delaying the visible signs of ageing.

WHY YOU NEED HA

HA is produced by the body naturally in a bid to maintain moisture levels, but just like collagen and elastin, the amount of naturally occurring hyaluronic acid in our bodies decreases as we age. As a result, cell turnover becomes sluggish and lines, wrinkles and rough texture make their debut. Supplementing your natural hyaluronic acid levels with topical treatments is key to maintaining a gorgeous, plumped-up complexion.

WHO IS HA BEST SUITED TO?

HA is super gentle, and it’s suitable for all skin types. For those with dry skin, it has the power to deeply hydrate and bind moisture to cells, while its light texture makes it just as effective for helping to rebalance oily skin. It’s essential for mature skins, as loss of moisture is one of the biggest contributors to premature ageing.

HOW TO USE HA

Using beauty products containing HA is the easiest way to top up on this skin-loving ingredient, and because it’s so gentle it can easily be paired with the peels, retinols, vitamins, and other acids you may already be using. HA is best applied every morning and evening after cleansing. This will give it the opportunity to penetrate deeply into your skin, and allow it to draw in further moisture from the products you layer on top of it.