Looking for a way to seriously hydrate your skin and keep it that way? Hyaluronic acid is the MVP of moisture and can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Whether you’re a skincare junkie or take a minimalistic approach, hyaluronic acid should be somewhere in your routine. It can be found in serums, moisturisers, sheet masks, eye creams, exfoliators and more. But we’re here to talk about hyaluronic acid serums - the step after toner but before moisturising.
Serums are rich in active ingredients with smaller particles to reach deep beneath the skin’s surface where other products just can’t get to. They’re super absorbent and leave very little, if any, product on top of the skin. They’re basically a nutrient shot for your skin without the horrible after taste - there’s nothing bitter about beautiful skin. Serums go down a treat every time guaranteed.
If you’re having trouble with really dry skin, you’ve probably noticed your go-to moisturiser is no longer stepping up to the challenge. Even if it has hyaluronic acid in it. A serum has pure hyaluronic acid in a high dosage that can lend your moisturiser a helping hand in a time of need. But we have a feeling you’ll make it a permanent part of your skincare routine after you get a taste.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule naturally produced by the body. It’s mostly found in the skin, connective tissue, eyes and joints. It has three main purposes of attracting and retaining water, helps to heal wounds and lubricates joints - so it’s pretty important you keep its levels topped up.
Why should you use hyaluronic acid in your everyday skincare routine?
Even though it’s naturally found in the skin, the amount of hyaluronic acid our body produces begins to decline as we age, and the skin becomes easily dehydrated. You could get away without using hyaluronic acid when you were younger, it was an option. Now, it’s a necessity. Skipping out on a hydrating serum wasn’t so bad (even though we’d never recommend it), but now our skin has major withdrawals from as little as 24-hours without the water-loving molecule. We spend what seems like days trying to reverse dry skin wallowing in self-pity and regret from cutting down our skincare routine that one time.
Adding hyaluronic acid into your daily regime will keep your skin’s moisture levels up - hydrated skin is happy skin. Take care of your skin and it’ll do you one better.
What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid for your skin?
HYDRATION
You didn’t think we could get through the benefits of hyaluronic acid without mentioning hydration first, did you? It attracts and absorbs moisture from inside and outside of the body to keep your skin as hydrated as possible. If you have dry skin, hyaluronic acid isn’t up for debate. You could have all the skincare products in the world in your bathroom (a bathroom we’d like to hangout in), but none of them will be able to perform at their best if your skin isn’t healthy to begin with.
STRENGTHENS THE SKIN'S BARRIER
If your skin’s barrier is compromised, you’ll regularly experience dry patches, redness, inflammation and itchiness. If this sounds familiar, your skin’s barrier has probably broken down. There are many reasons why this could have happened. But using hyaluronic acid will rule out water loss with its ability to draw and hold a huge amount of water. Dehydrated skin leads to dryness which weakens its barrier, making it more vulnerable to outside aggressors such as pollution, bacteria and UV rays.
But this doesn’t mean you should wait until it’s too late. You don’t have to have a weaker barrier to benefit from hyaluronic acid. The more your skin is shielded from potential irritants, the healthier your complexion will look.
REDUCES APPEARANCE OF FINE LINES AND WRINKLES
Dry skin doesn’t cause premature ageing, but it does make signs of ageing more prominent. Think of a water balloon filling up. Without water, it's deflated and flimsy, but as it begins to fill up it smoothens out - this is basically what hyaluronic acid does. As it retains water in the skin it creates a fuller, plumper appearance softening fine lines and wrinkles.
TIGHTENS THE SKIN
No one wants saggy skin. Not now. Not ever. Much like the skin loses hyaluronic acid over time, it also loses elastin (is there anything good about ageing?). Elastin helps the skin to bounce back. Hyaluronic acid can’t replace elastin, but it can help to tighten the skin as it holds onto more moisture.
HELPS TO COMBAT OILINESS
Did you know you can have dry and oily skin at the same time? Dry skin will send the sebaceous glands into overdrive to compensate for the lack of moisture. They’ll produce excess oil which collects on the skin and gives an oily appearance. The worst part? You’ll still have flaky skin. Using hyaluronic acid will help to keep the sebaceous glands in check.
HYALURONIC ACID VS SODIUM HYALURONATE
You may have seen sodium hyaluronate on a serum’s ingredient list that claims to contain hyaluronic acid and feel like you’re being misled. The disappointment is real when the ingredient that caught your eye is nowhere to be seen, or the smallest percentage of them all (reading the ingredients is the unspoken rule of skincare for this exact reason). Ignorance isn’t ever bliss when it comes to beauty. Especially if you’ve talked yourself out of buying sodium hyaluronate for being a 'knock off’.
Sodium hyaluronate is a salt that’s extracted from hyaluronic acid but it doesn’t skimp on its benefits - it even has one more. It does the exact same thing but on a deeper level as the skin can absorb it easier than hyaluronic acid. You’ve been missing out big time.
The good news is sodium hyaluronate is less expensive than hyaluronic acid so it's the most common out of the two found in skincare. But you shouldn’t rule out pure hyaluronic acid altogether. Some products contain both ingredients which means you can gain the benefits on multiple levels of the skin for the best result.
DO I STILL HAVE TO USE A MOISTURISER WITH HYALURONIC ACID SERUM?
In short, yes. A hyaluronic acid serum isn’t a substitute for a moisturiser. It’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make if you have dry skin. Hyaluronic acid can attract 1,000 times its weight in water, but it can’t create it. It needs moisture in order to work, this is where a moisturiser comes in (but only after you’ve applied the serum). If you have dry skin, you’ll have less moisture for hyaluronic acid to feed on. A moisturiser can restore lost moisture and add to the skin’s barrier locking it in to prevent it from escaping again.
IS HYALURONIC ACID FOR ME?
Absolutely! In fact, we highly recommend it for all skin types. But dry or mature skin will benefit the most from hyaluronic acid.
Despite its name including the word ‘acid’, even the most sensitive skin types can use hyaluronic acid. There are no known side effects as it’s already found naturally in the body. If you do react to a product that contains hyaluronic acid, it’ll be down to other ingredients it’s combined with, so be sure to do a patch test with any new products if you have sensitive skin.
OUR MUST-HAVE HYALURONIC ACID SERUMS FOR ULTIMATE HYDRATION
Dr. Nigma Talib Hydrating & Plumping Serum No1
Achieve plumper, tighter skin after the first use with hyaluronic acid, age-reversing plant stem cells and marine snail peptides - the complexion cocktail of youth. Light water technology improves absorption into the skin for even faster, better results. Why wait any longer? Begin falling in love with your skin today with Dr. Nigma Talib Hydrating & Plumping Serum No1.
Image Skincare AGELESS Total Pure Hyaluronic Filler
The smaller the molecule of hyaluronic acid, the deeper it can penetrate into the skin. This powerhouse formula from Image Skincare contains six forms of lower and higher molecular weight hyaluronic acids to reach each layer of skin, airbrushing fine lines and wrinkles without injections. It’s also time-released so it’ll continue to give you a hit of hydration throughout the day when you need it the most.
iS Clinical Hydra Cool Serum
Specially formulated for sensitive skin with intense moisture, healing properties and an unbeatable cooling sensation. It instantly hydrates, heals and soothes irritated skin from mild acne, sunburn and shaving.
If you’re full of wanderlust, this is a must-have travelling companion that fits just about anywhere. Whether you’re heading abroad for a week or a month, we know there’s room for iS Clinical Hydra Cool Serum in your backpack or suitcase. Air travel can dry out your skin more than usual and is tougher to beat. Even if you’re not used to having dry skin, constantly travelling can trigger it and this serum proudly combats it.
