From serums to face masks, it may seem like this skincare ingredient is everywhere. And there may be good reasons for that! Hyaluronic Acid or HA, a naturally occurring molecule that binds to water to plump your skin has quickly become a favourite in the beauty and skincare industries.
What Really Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Pronounced hahy-uh-loo-ron-ik (say it with us), it is a naturally occurring polysaccharide or sugar molecule that is present in the human body. Its function is to act as a humectant or moisture binder and trap water inside tissue cells, keeping different parts of the body well lubricated. When it comes to your skin, it helps in moisturising, plumping fine lines and speeding up the healing of wounds. Given that it is present naturally in our bodies, it has no known side effects and is well tolerated by most people – even those with sensitive skin. What’s not to like? Read more about it here.
How Does It Work?
Like Collagen, the ability of our skin to produce HA keeps decreasing with age, leading to drier, duller and barrier-impaired skin. When applied, Hyaluronic Acid acts like a sponge for your skin, holding on to moisture (it can actually absorb up to 1000 times its weight in water!). As a humectant, Hyaluronic Acid actually has the ability to pull water from the environment into your skin, plumping and adding volume to your skin cells while repairing your skin barrier. Think of it as a big drink of water for your face, quenching the dry patches and giving your face a smooth, bright look.
What Are The Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid?
In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve been talking about everything great that this hydration agent can do for your skin. Both Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Hyaluronate (a water-soluble form of HA with a smaller molecular size) are used in skincare and beauty products. When applied topically, HA has to have a low molecular weight for more effective skin penetration to deliver its many hydrating benefits that include:
- Holding & Retaining Moisture to give you plump and radiant looking skin.
- Reducing Signs of Ageing by replenishing moisture and adding volume to your skin cells to combat the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Fast Absorption & Low Irritation so you can use it easily and safely, no matter your skin type.
- Improving Skin Radiance & Texture by increasing hydration and consequently, skin elasticity.
What Ingredients Does Hyaluronic Acid Pair Well With?
Along with being a humectant and great hydration agent, Hyaluronic Acid also pairs well with several ingredients and actives, making it quite an all-rounder. Some of these ingredients include:
1. Vitamin C
Yes, these two superstars can give your skin a super anti-ageing boost with Hyaluronic Acid’s plumping and hydrating qualities along with Vitamin C’s antioxidant and brightening properties. They can be layered separately, but also work together wonderfully as part of the same formulation, significantly reducing visible signs of ageing.
Sublime Recommends: The Neemli Hyaluronic & Vitamin C Serum, a light gel-based serum. This bestseller is a daily-use serum that can be used in the AM and even works as a makeup primer. With 12% Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, it can help brighten and plump your skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and dark spots.
2. Ceramides
Since Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides are both skin-identical ingredients, they work very well together. Hyaluronic Acid helps in attracting moisture to your skin while Ceramides can help seal them in, leaving you with hydrated, replenished skin.
Sublime Recommends Neemli’s Hyaluronic & Ceramide Face Wash is 100% Sulphate-free and great for sensitive skin. It is formulated with Hyaluronic Acid to give your skin a moisture boost and ceramides to lock it in and reinforce your skin’s protective barrier. It also has repairing Niacinamide and anti-inflammatory Tasmanian Pepper Extract that work together to cleanse, soothe and hydrate skin without any irritation.
3. Retinol
When it comes to your skincare routine, adding Hyaluronic Acid in the morning and Retinol at night can strike a great balance. While Retinol promotes cell turnover, which may cause some irritation, Hyaluronic acid can increase your skin’s ability to counter these effects. When used together, they can give your skin that renewed, youthful glow. Always remember to use sunscreen when you’re using Retinol in your routine because it can make your skin more photosensitive.
Sublime recommends: The Neemli’s Retinol & Peptide Serum is expertly formulated along with Hyaluronic Acid to renew your skin’s tone and texture, combat hyperpigmentation and give you smooth, younger looking skin. When used at night along with their HA + Vitamin C Serum in the day, this duo can visibly reduce signs of skin ageing by giving it a firm, restored look.
4. Panthenol
Did someone say deep hydration? Panthenol, also known by all its other names including Provitamin B5 and Butanamide, is known for its excellent moisturising qualities. When used together with Hyaluronic Acid in a formulation, it actually works to seal the cracks in the skin while HA binds water to the skin, keeping this hydration locked. When these ingredients are used together, they have the ability to go deeper into the skin and repair your skin’s moisture barrier.
Sublime Recommends The Neemli 2% Hyaluronic Acid + D Panthenol Moisture Boost Concentrate prevents transepidermal moisture loss to give you bright, plump and youthful skin. The formula is suspended in a unique botanical broth that offers speedier delivery of deep hydration, leaving you with radiant skin.
5. AHAs & BHAs
When you use HA with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) like Mandelic Acid and Lactic Acid & BHAs like Salicylic Acid, you can reap the benefits of exfoliation along with restoring moisture back into your skin. Even though it has the word ‘acid’ in its name, Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant and can offset the effects that acids may have on your skin.
Sublime Recommends Neemli’s 10% Mandelic Acid + Hyaluronic Acid Retexturizing Concentrate is an ideal gentle exfoliator that targets bumps and hyperpigmentation for those with sensitive skin, while the 2% Salicylic Acid Deep Clean Concentrate that also uses Sodium Hyaluronate in the formula is great to combat excess sebum and oil production to prevent whiteheads, blackheads and acne.
Tips On Using Hyaluronic Acid
- Even though Hyaluronic Acid is widely known to be gentle enough for all skin types, it is always advisable to do a patch test if you’re trying a new product with HA.
- Given its unique ability to pull moisture into your skin, Hyaluronic Acid could actually have a reverse effect if you apply it to dry skin instead of damp skin. When your skin is absolutely dry, HA will try to find moisture in the deeper layers of your skin, actually making it drier. On the other hand, when you cleanse, tone and apply a serum with Hyaluronic Acid onto damp skin and follow it up with a moisturiser to lock in the hydration, you’ll be left with smooth, plumped and glowing skin!
- If you’re using a Hyaluronic Acid serum, apply it before your other serums so you can lock in all the moisture. Use it in the morning to keep your skin hydrated all day. At night, you can switch out your HA serum for a Retinol serum to make the most of your skincare routine.
The Bottom Line
Hyaluronic Acid does not have many ingredient enemies when it comes to skincare and is generally safe and beneficial for all skin types. When used correctly (by sealing it in with a moisturiser), it benefits the skin in various ways including strengthening the moisture barrier, defending against ageing and giving your skin that extra hit of hydration to leave it smooth, supple and dewy. If you haven’t yet, it’s time to incorporate Hyaluronic Acid in your skincare routine and jump on to the hydration wagon!
- Neemli Naturals
