Over the past few years, hyaluronic acid has become a superstar in the skincare world. It is found in all types of products: toners, moisturizers, serums and even body care products and dietary supplements.
You may be wondering: does hyaluronic acid really deserve this level of fame?
In a word, yes! This is partly due to its compatibility with just about any skin type (even sensitive skin). Hyaluronic acid is also packed with benefits for acne, aging, and hydration – which we’re about to cover!
Whether you’re dry and patchy, or oily and acne-prone, keep reading to see how hyaluronic acid benefits your skin and the best formulas for a glowing, younger-looking complexion.
7 benefits of hyaluronic acid
So what is hyaluronic acid and how does it help our skin stay healthy?
Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in our bodies, but can also be found in plants like sweet potatoes. Hyaluronic acid benefits our body by lubricating the joints, promoting tissue repair and hydrating the skin.
When your skin is hydrated, it’s more likely to look plump, smooth, and soft to the touch. Hydration is also important to keep your skin looking radiant. And since we tend to get drier with age – worsening the signs of aging – hydration is crucial for a more youthful complexion.
With the addition of free radicals and UV damage, a skin care regimen that promotes hydration is essential. This is where hyaluronic acid can make a huge difference!
#1: The super thirst quencher for the skin
If your skin looks very dull, you could probably benefit from hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, hyaluronic acid not only deliver hydration to the skin – it actually helps retain it. Indeed, mega-hydrating hyaluronic acid is known to retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water!
While locking in moisture, hyaluronic acid also works to strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin feeling fresh and dewy all day long.
#2: Plumping, Gel-Like Texture
If you’ve seen hyaluronic acid before (perhaps in our Boost treatments), you’ve probably noticed its consistency: gel-like, watery and lightweight. It’s no surprise because as a humectant, hyaluronic acid is renowned for its ability to penetrate deep into the skin. It is able to deliver hydration while adding unparalleled plumpness and bounce to the skin.
#3: Collagen support for plump skin
Speaking of plump skin, hyaluronic acid does more than hydrate! It also helps with a very important component of healthy, beautiful skin: collagen. By creating a hydrating and nourishing environment, collagen can work more efficiently in holding everything together.
This piece of the puzzle is quite important since collagen is a key component of our skin. If you can imagine your skin as a brick wall, collagen is like the mortar that holds the bricks together. And when you have good collagen support, your skin is more likely to stay elastic, plump, and firm.
#4: Acne Defense
Did you know that hyaluronic acid also benefits acne sufferers?
At first glance, acne doesn’t seem to have anything to do with humidity, quite the opposite. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! Clear skin is often a matter of balance: balanced diet, balanced stress levels and, in this case, fluid balance.
When acne-prone skin is stripped of its natural oils, it is designed to overcompensate by producing more oil. And usually, that results in too much oil, which leads to clogged pores and more breakouts.
Thanks to its light and penetrating consistency, hyaluronic acid can promote the moisture balance of the skin, thus protecting it from future inflammation and acne.
#5: Smoothing and Conditioning
Although skin looks smoother after applying hyaluronic acid, the long-term benefits are also worth noting. With its moisturizing and super-humectant properties, hyaluronic acid can effectively revitalize the lipid barrier while targeting surface cells to fill in fine lines.
#6: Anti-Aging Benefits
Sometimes it’s easy to overlook the importance of hydration, but it’s essential for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles! While signs of aging are nothing to be sorry for, humidity levels are simply a marker of healthy looking mature skin.
As a humectant, hyaluronic acid doesn’t just keep skin plump and dewy; it also keeps the skin protected. And when skin feels nourished and protected, cell renewal is encouraged. In addition to supporting collagen, hyaluronic acid is a powerful anti-aging agent for smooth, nourished mature skin.
#7: Faster Healing
In placebo trials, the application of hyaluronic acid has been shown to help heal skin wounds. It seems to do this by managing levels of inflammation while stimulate the body to form more blood vessels in the area that has been damaged.
Although this function of hyaluronic acid benefits the whole body, applying it to the face can be especially helpful for people with blemishes and acne scars.
6 skin care formulas with hyaluronic acid
Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of hyaluronic acid for skin, let’s talk about where you can find it!
In addition to its many benefits, hyaluronic acid is a highly compatible skincare active, which means you can find it in a large number of products. Here are some of our favorites!
Rose water face mist
Face mists are our go-to for on-the-go hydration, especially for those with dry skin or living in a dry, arid climate. Our rose water face mist contains a host of hydrating benefits from hyaluronic acid, along with the soothing properties of chamomile, aloe vera and rose hydrosol. This gentle yet powerful blend tones skin while delivering plump, glowing hydration.
Pink Hyaluronic Acid Serum
If you experience any redness or irritation, our soothing Rose Hyaluronic Acid Serum is here to give you happier skin. We’ve included calendula – long loved for its soothing and calming effects – along with white tea for an antioxidant boost. All the while, your skin also receives the hyaluronic acid benefits of intense hydration and mega-plumped, dewy-looking skin.
Moisturizing Milk with Rose Water
Even at its driest, skin can still benefit from the kiss of a lightweight moisturizer. With hyaluronic acid as a key ingredient, our rosewater moisturizer quenches skin without weighing down texture. Aloe vera and beta-glucan (derived from oats) help soothe irritation and smooth rough, uneven skin.
Hydra Drench Cream
Thirsty skin cells are in for a treat with our Hydra Drench Cream. This lightweight, fast-acting moisturizer not only offers the benefits of hyaluronic acid, but also the soothing benefits of omega fatty acids from chia seed gel.
This soothing gel moisturizer is also loaded with protective antioxidants, thanks to nopal cactus and rose water. The addition of sodium PCA and shea butter conditions and softens the skin.
Powerful Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidant PM Serum
Benefit from your overnight skin repair process with nutrients that support it. With our Supercharged PM Multi-Vitamin Serum, Hyaluronic Acid benefits skin by replenishing moisture. Stabilized vitamins like niacinamide and vitamin C work synergistically to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while even skin tone.
Fermented Rice Water Toner
All skin types can benefit from a toner, and our Fermented Rice Water Toner uses a duo of hyaluronic acid and sake to deeply soften and hydrate skin. This toner is perfect for rehydrating after a particularly thorough cleansing or deep exfoliation.
With this treasure trove of hyaluronic acid benefits and skin-plumping formulas with this hydration hero, your skin should be glowing, dewy and moist in no time! Whether you’re dealing with dry skin, oily skin, or combination skin, hyaluronic acid will take your complexion to the next level. It’s a true skincare gem for the balanced, healthy complexion you’ve always dreamed of – and now can have!
