It’s a name you may recognise from your favourite skincare treatments, but do you know exactly why hyaluronic acid is such a powerful ingredient?
Rich moisturisers containing oil are tempting to reach for when your skin is stressed or parched, but they could cause complications. Excessive use of such products can leave the surface layer of skin sticky, dull and over-hydrated.
Meanwhile, the deeper layers of your skin won’t get the hydration they need, leading to sensitivity and dehydration – which defeats the whole purpose of using a moisturiser in the first place.
Rather than clogging skin with over-rich moisturising products, choosing a treatment with hyaluronic acid can hydrate effectively without any need for ‘slathering’ a thick cream onto your skin.
Hyaluronic acid doesn’t hydrate your skin directly; it can carry a thousand times its weight in water, so it works by holding moisture in your skin more effectively, and for longer. It also has the ability to regulate moisture within cells, so it doesn’t drown them.
Our own skin cells actually produce hyaluronic acid in order to maintain moisture levels, but environmental factors – and ageing – can deplete the levels we produce naturally.
By keeping skin hydrated in this way, it should feel soft and plump, and look more radiant. Even deeper lines and wrinkles appear diminished and it works on any skin type including sensitive, oily and breakout-prone complexions. Safe and gentle (don’t be put off by the mention of ‘acid’) research suggests hyaluronic acid also has antioxidant properties, acting like a shield against free radicals.
To get the best out of a product containing hyaluronic acid, you can drink plenty of water to help the process of long-lasting hydration.
You can also lock hyaluronic acid into the skin by protecting the ‘barrier function’ of its surface layer. Using a product that contains barrier-repairing ingredients should lock in the hydrating action the hyaluronic acid will provide, protecting those precious outer layers of your skin.
Ready to try it?
If you’re ready to introduce the hydrating power of hyaluronic acid into your skin care routine, try these fabulous products:
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance – contains nourishing lipids, as well hyaluronic acid, to help support barrier recovery and restore hydration.
Balance Me Hyaluronic Plumping Mist – this super-fine mist provides an instant shot of hydration with hyaluronic acid to plump the skin, and chamomile water to calm and brighten sensitive or irritated complexions.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 – formulated with retinaldehyde, a super-charged derivative of vitamin A, this product also contains multi-weight hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to hydrate the skin at every level whilst strengthening the skin’s barrier to keep moisture locked in tight.
Ren Skincare Flash Hydro Boost– a water-charging hydration booster designed to work in harmony with the skin to prevent the ageing effects of dehydration. This product contains hyaluronic acid and xylitol to maximise moisture levels by helping to draw in water, locking it into the skin for an instant plumping effect.
Elemis Hydra Boost Day Cream – with hyaluronic acid to lock in essential moisture, this rich and nourishing day cream will moisturise and protect throughout the day.
Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift – the calibrated hyaluronic acid blend in this product uses various molecular sizes to provide exceptional moisturisation, enhance skin elasticity, and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.
Decleor Hydra Floral Ultra Moisturising and Plumping Mask – an intensive moisturising mask with hyaluronic acid to instantly plump skin to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles: it works in just 10 minutes, but lasts 24 hours.
Gatineau DefiLift 3D Perfect Design Redefining Performance Cream – this firming and volumising day and night cream has been formulated with powerful plant protein technology and encapsulated hyaluronic acid to restore volume and plumpness, improving skin vitality. This product is perfect for clients over 40, particularly if their skin is losing its firmness.
