16 Oct What Is Hyaluronic Acid & How Will Your Skin Benefit From It?
From moisturisers to face masks, we’ve tried it all to get that natural glow-from-within from our skincare.
But let us save you time (and money) spent on countless skincare products that work for 5 minutes, and introduce you to hyaluronic acid.
AKA The Skin Hydrator.
What is Hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar produced by the body to hydrate and nourish the skin by retaining water. It acts as a moisturising agent to boost the skins elasticity, while also providing a plump and youthful look to your skin.
Adding hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine can help control the development of fine lines in the skin and prevent dryness on your face. This key ingredient is a must have if you’re after glowing skin, especially during the cooler months of the year when skin tends to dry up.
Hyaluronic acid can be stored in your bathroom cupboard, but we will let you in on a little secret. For the most effective use of hyaluronic acid, we suggest storing it in a beauty fridge for a cooling and soothing feeling when applying it to the skin. This can help boost moisture to the skin, and can help calm redness to the skin.
What skin concerns does Hyaluronic acid address?
For anyone with dry skin, this is the perfect addition to your skincare routine, although all skin types can use this product, as the biggest skin concern that hyaluronic acid addresses is dryness.
Adding moisture to the skin, hyaluronic acid can help to clear up dry and patchy spots on the face, that tend to stand out even more when applying makeup.
We love that not only does it address dryness, but also is a great ingredient for anti aging as it can prevent fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. This product is great to use before putting on makeup as gives a fresh and nourished base so that your skin can look dewy and flawless all day long.
Incorporating Hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine
Step 1
It is important to cleanse the face before using hyaluronic acid so that you are applying it to a fresh base.
Step 2
Once you have cleansed, and exfoliated if needed, hyaluronic acid should be applied to the face by gently pressing it into the skin.
Step 3
The final step is moisturiser. Adding moisturiser on top helps to lock in the hyaluronic acid all day long.
Try pairing hyaluronic acid with retinol and vitamin C to ensure it is working effectively on the skin. We love that hyaluronic acid is oil-free meaning that it can be used and is suited to all skin types, including dry, oily, combination and acne-prone skin.
Hyaluronic acid can be incorporated twice a day, into your morning and night time skincare routine. However, using it once a day will still allow the product to be just as effective.
Where does it come from?
Naturally produced in the body and synthesised by cells, hyaluronic acid is concentrated majorly in the eyes and joints. In fact, you can increase the amount of hyaluronic acid your body produces through your diet. Leafy greens, citrus fruits and broths from animal bones and skin are a great source of hyaluronic acid to make your skin feel nourished.
Since it is a natural substance produced in the body, there is no risk in adding synthetic HA from an injectable or skincare product. However, if a product is causing irritation, it is likely coming from a different ingredient so it’s important to always spot check what you are applying onto your skin.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid on your skin
Provides hydration to the skin:
Hyaluronic acid provides the skin with a retention of moisture leaving your skin feeling fresh, bright and smooth all day long.
Reduces visibility fine lines and wrinkles:
This isn’t just helpful in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but also prevents the development. From a young age, we should be protecting our skin so that we can slow down the process of skin aging.
Helps the appearance of tightness in the skin:
HA tightens your complexion, giving a more sculpted facial shape. So rather than having saggy skin, especially around the cheeks and jawline, hyaluronic acid contours the face to give it a plump and lifted look.
Improves your skin texture:
For anyone with texture and dryness on their skin, HA can help out here too. Smoother skin texture means that makeup will apply evenly on the skin to create a dewy look. This also allows the skin to look brighter and more youthful.
What HA products should I try?
When wondering what products to choose from, it is important that you are aware of what is best for your skin. Although high concentration may seem the best, we suggest starting out with a product with 1-2% hyaluronic acid first.
Products with a higher percentage than this could cause irritation, especially to those who are just starting to use hyaluronic acid or have sensitive skin. This is also because the skin already naturally produces hyaluronic acid, so having a lower concentration will compliment the skin, without being too aggressive to start with.
Hyaluronic acid serums
Hyaluronic Acid
2% + B5
The Ordinary
One of the most talked about skincare products and we understand why! This serum aims to achieve maximum hydration on multiple layers of the skin. We love how simple the product is, while still providing exceptional results that come from a vegan and artificial fragrance free serum.
Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Cerave
Soothing on the skin, this serum provides an instantly softer and smoother complexion that will last for up to 24 hours. This one is great for those with sensitive skin as it is non-comedogenic, paraben free and fragrance free, so will not clog pores or cause irritation.
Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Aging Serum
La Roche-Posay
Applying this serum will make your skin feel plump and youthful for 24 hours or more. The serum is infused with two pure hyaluronic acids to reduce and prevent wrinkles. Suitable to any age group, this serum helps improve your skin’s repairing process.
B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
Drunk Elephant
This is just like a cool drink of water on a summers day for dry, thirsty skin. Aiming to improve the skin tone and texture, this serum delivers hydrations throughout the day. It provides a dewy look to the skin, while eliminating the appearance of fine lines and dryness.
Hyaluronic acid moisturisers
Hydro Boost
Water Gel
Neutrogena
An all time favourite of ours, this is quite possibly the most hydrating moisturiser for dry skin. There are so many benefits to the skin as it improves firmness, smoothness and plumpness all day long. As moisturiser should be used in the morning, as well as night, you could pair this with the night concentrate for intense moisture when sleeping.
Hydra Vizor
Invisible Moisturiser
Fenty Skin
Perfect to pack in your travel bag, this moisturiser not only is infused with hyaluronic acid but also provides sun protection as it has SPF 15 coverage. This is perfect for those who are wanting to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, to give a healthy and youthful look on the skin. You’ll want to lather this up as the fresh melon scent smells divine!
Redermic C Anti-Wrinkle
Firming Moisturiser
La Roche-Posay
Providing a plump and firm look on the skin, this moisturiser is known to reduce the appearance of fine lines in as short as a week. A great moisturiser for mature skin as its purpose is to protect ageing skin due to the UV protection. This formula evens out the skin tone to give youthful and luminous glow.
Have you been using HA in your skincare routine? Let us know what your favourite HA products are!
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