Hyaluronic Acid Skin Benefits

Hyaluronic acid is the real MVP of skincare. It’s gained popularity amongst beauty influencers and celebrities for its plumping, glow-giving, and hydrating benefits. It helps retain the skin's moisture levels, making it plump, soft and bouncy. It also adds an instant boost of hydration and nourishment. Plus, as we age our body starts producing less Hyaluronic Acid so replacing it topically will have the most impact on your skin.

But before we get into the advantages of hyaluronic acid, we need to learn what hyaluronic acid is, what its benefits are, why we need to incorporate this magic potion into our skincare routines, and what could be the possible side effects. Hyaluronic acid can be extremely beneficial for your skin but only if you use it the right way.

So, let’s get into why you actually need to add this wonder ingredient to your beauty routine.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring element in our body, especially in our skin. This substance plays an important role in keeping our skin moisturised and hydrated. It also keeps our skin tissues lubricated. Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water and thus makes it easier to hydrate the skin from within. But as we age, the hyaluronic acid in our skin starts to deteriorate, reducing our skin’s natural ability to retain moisture. Thus, incorporating skincare products such as serums, moisturises, and sheet masks with hyaluronic acid can improve your skin elasticity, moisture content, and overall health.

What Are The Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid?

Here are some hyaluronic acid benefits for the face.

1. Offers Intense Hydration:

   Since hyaluronic acid holds up to 1000 times its weight in water, when applied to the face, it offers intense hydration to the skin. It leaves the smooth, soft, and supple.

2. Enhances Skin Elasticity:

   When hyaluronic acid improves moisture retention levels and volume of hydration, the skin automatically improves its elasticity. Your skin becomes firmer and any of the sagging and inflammation is reduced.

3. Reduces Signs Of Ageing:

   When your skin is well moisturised, signs of ageing such as wrinkles and fine lines also reduce. Your skin fills in any of the divots and becomes firmer making your skin appear more youthful and lively.

4. Improves Barrier Function:

   Hyaluronic acid not only increases hydration levels and moisture retention but it also improves and strengthens the natural barrier of the skin. It helps the skin fight against UV rays, dehydration, irritation, and other environmental stressors.

5. Heals Skin:

   Hyaluronic acid also helps heal the skin faster. If there is irritation, itchiness, redness, or other skin sensitivities, hyaluronic acid can reduce the damage and heal your skin faster.

6. Aids Collagen Production:

   Hyaluronic acid doesn’t directly increase collagen in your skin but it does create an environment good enough for an increase in collagen production. Collagen in turn improves the vitality of your skin and makes it firm.

7. Improves Skin Texture:

   With regular usage of hyaluronic acid, you can reduce uneven skin tone, discolouration, pigmentation, and dullness. This makes your skin more even-toned and dewy, improving its overall appearance.

8. Suits All Skin Types:

   Hyaluronic is one such ingredient that suits most skin types since it is a naturally occurring substance on the skin and improves moisture retention levels which every skin needs.

Types Of Hyaluronic Acid?

Depending on your skin type you can choose a particular type of hyaluronic acid that will work best for your skin. Hyaluronic acid benefits all skin types but a specific type can treat the needs of your skin better.

1. Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid:

   Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is a broken-down hyaluronic acid that penetrates deeper into your skin and moisturises your skin from within. It is a good option for people with oily or combination skin types that don’t require moisturisation on the outer layers of their skin.

2. Sodium Hyaluronate:

   Sodium hyaluronate is the salt version of hyaluronic acid that acts as a humectant for the skin. It hydrates the skin and supports the barrier function.

3. Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate:

   This type of hyaluronic acid is a high-molecular HA that sits on the surface of the skin for a long time to moisturise absolutely dehydrated skin, perfect for people with dry and dull skin.

How To Incorporate Hyaluronic Acid In Your Skincare Routine?

These are some of the ways you can use hyaluronic acid in your skincare routine to utilise its full benefits.

• Mix It Right:

  Hyaluronic acid is a very inclusive ingredient that works well when mixed with actives such as AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C, niacinamide, and even retinol. This means that you can incorporate hyaluronic acid in your AM or PM routine to reap its benefits.

• Ideal Products:

  Since hyaluronic acid is a moisture enhancer, the ideal products to use this ingredient are moisture-inducing essentials such as serums, moisturisers, sheet masks, and lotions.

• Always Use Sunscreen:

  To make sure you get all the advantages of hyaluronic acid, always follow it up with sunscreen before stepping out in the sun. This will make sure that the barrier repair function runs smoothly and isn’t nullified by UV damage.

Why Do You Need To Include Hyaluronic Acid In Your Beauty Routine?

Hyaluronic acid is a natural compound produced in your body. Apart from improving the health of your skin, its key function is to lubricate your joints and tissues. However, as we age, the production of HA in your body decreases, resulting in issues like dehydrated skin, fine lines and wrinkles. Therefore, to make sure that your skin remains plump and hydrated as you age, you need to add hyaluronic acid products to your beauty routine. Though hyaluronic acid uses are many, here are six ways that you can add this holy grail ingredient to your beauty routine.

Side Effects Of Hyaluronic Acid

There are very few hyaluronic acid side effects when it comes to topical use. Since it is suitable for all skin types, it has comparatively mild ingredients, but like everything else, all good things have a tricky side, so let’s make ourselves aware of the side effects of hyaluronic acid.

1. Active Rashes or Acne:

   If you have any active rashes, redness, acne, or open hounds avoid hyaluronic acid serums as they can cause irritation. Use this ingredient once your face is calmer to smoothen, soften, and even out your skin texture.

2. Don’t Overuse:

   Make sure you regulate the usage of hyaluronic acid as it can cause breakouts on your skin and lead to more harm than good, especially if you have acne-prone skin.

3. Dryness Caused Due To Misuse:

   When you don’t layer your hyaluronic acid with a moisturiser and a sunscreen you can expect the acid to not offer any benefits. It can in fact pull away existing moisture due to environmental stressors.

4. Allergic Reaction:

   Although this is highly unlikely, your skin could be allergic to hyaluronic acid. If you have extremely sensitive skin either consult a doctor or conduct a patch test before introducing active ingredients into your skincare routine.

6 Ways You Can Include Hyaluronic Acid In Your Beauty Routine

Now that you know all the good parts of hyaluronic acid and its skin benefits, here’s how you can use this magical ingredient for your skin. PS: your face is not the only body part that can receive all the hyaluronic acid benefits. Your scalp is an extension of your skin. So when hyaluronic acid has such amazing benefits for your skin, imagine what it can do for your hair. Using hyaluronic acid for hair helps revive the dry hair strands and nourish your scalp, helping you get softer, smoother, and more manageable hair.

1. Through A Face Serum

Now that you know the importance of hyaluronic acid for the skin, it's time to include it in your routine through this face serum. One of the best hyaluronic acid serums out there, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 combines low, medium and high molecular weight HA and next-generation HA cross-polymer at a concentration of 2% and offers short and long-term hydration. It also contains vitamin B5, which helps surface hydration. It deeply hydrates your skin, making it plump, bouncy and nourished. Reap all the hyaluronic acid benefits through this water-based formula for nourished skin. It’s oil-free, gluten-free, vegan, cruelty-free and silicone-free and suitable for all skin types.

2. Through A Moisturiser

Along with face serums, you can also reap the hyaluronic acid benefits through a moisturiser infused with this ingredient. Widely loved by skincare enthusiasts for its unique lightweight texture, the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Mini Face Moisturizer With Hyaluronic Acid For 72 Hours Hydration instantly gets absorbed into your skin and effectively locks in hydration and nourishes your skin cells. It penetrates deep into the skin, strengthens the skin barrier and protects against external aggressors. Use this hyaluronic acid cream twice a day after cleansing for smooth, firm, plump, and glowing skin.

3. With A Sheet Mask

One of the easiest ways to use hyaluronic acid for the skin is through a sheet mask. Harness the hyaluronic acid benefits for an instant glow with this sheet mask for firm and bright skin. The Nykaa Skin Secrets Active Solutions Pearl + Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Mask For Glowing Skin is enriched with pearls and hyaluronic acid that provide vitamins and a boost of hydration to your skin, leaving it feeling radiant, youthful and hydrated.

4. With A Sunscreen

Protect your skin from sun damage with this broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects and brightens your skin. Infused with hyaluronic acid, Dr Sheth's Haldi & Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen protects against UV/UB rays and blue light. It also hydrates and repairs your compromised skin barrier, leaving your skin feeling soft, plump and protected. What’s more? It has a lightweight, non-greasy formula that does not leave any white cast behind.

5. Through A Hair Mask

If you have still not experienced the wonders of hyaluronic acid for hair, this hair mask can help you get all the benefits of this miracle ingredient. Enriched with hyaluronic acid that balances the moisture level of your scalp and hair, this hair mask improves the suppleness and manageability of your tresses. The Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure Hyaluronic Moisture Kick Masque Treatment has a light emulsion base that penetrates the hair quickly and intensely hydrates the hair and scalp, giving you frizz-free, beautiful hair.

6. Through A Hydrating Shampoo

A one-of-a-kind product that infuses hyaluronic acid for hair, the L'Oreal Paris Hyaluron Moisture 72H Moisture Filling Shampoo provides up to 72 hours of hydration, leaving you with shiny, nourished hair. It locks in the moisturising properties of hyaluronic acid in your hair, giving it a softer, smoother, and more manageable feel that you would love to touch.

Parting Thoughts

The advantages of hyaluronic acid are aplenty and with the right product and routine, you can increase moisture levels, boost collagen production, even out your skin tone and texture, and reduce dryness all with one ingredient. Now, when you know the best beauty products to include Hyaluronic acid in your routine, load up your carts with these best picks and unleash the power of this miracle ingredient.

FAQs

1. How Do I Add Hyaluronic Acid In My Skincare Routine?

   There are various ways to add hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine. You can use it as a serum, invest in a hyaluronic acid moisturiser, or use a sheet mask infused with this miracle ingredient. If you have dry skin, you can also use a night cream infused with hyaluronic acid to seal the moisture in your skin overnight.

2. Should I Wet My Skin Before Using Hyaluronic Acid?

   Yes, even if you have oily skin, you need to moisturise during winter because if your skin is not well hydrated, your oil glands will produce excess sebum to compensate for the moisture loss leading to greasiness and breakouts.

3. How Long Does It Take To See Results From Hyaluronic Acid?

   You can see the desired results in two to three months if you apply it consistently every day. Your skin will become softer, hydrated and plumper with a nourished glow.

4. What are some hyaluronic acid side effects?

   Although there are no direct side effects to hyaluronic acid, you can still experience discomfort if your skin is allergic to it. It can cause dryness, irritation, redness, swelling, and breakouts. You can also experience breakouts if you have acne-prone skin and use hyaluronic acid with active acne.

5. What are some hyaluronic acid uses for skin?

   Here are some of the hyaluronic acid uses for skin:

   • Intense hydration
   • Collagen production
   • Enhanced skin elasticity
   • Improved skin texture
   • Improved barrier function.