You have probably seen it everywhere.
Hyaluronic acid.
It appears in serums, moisturisers, eye creams and countless skincare products. But what exactly is it, and why has it become such a popular skincare ingredient?
Let's break it down simply.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the body, including the skin. One of its important roles is helping the skin hold onto water.
As we get older, the skin's ability to retain moisture can change. Environmental factors, weather, cleansing and other aspects of our skincare routine can also contribute to dry or dehydrated-feeling skin.
This is where hyaluronic acid can be useful.
What does hyaluronic acid do?
Hyaluronic acid is best known for its water-binding properties.
In skincare, it can help attract and retain water at the skin's surface, helping the skin feel:
- More hydrated
- Softer
- Smoother
- More comfortable
Well-hydrated skin can also appear plumper and more refreshed.
But there is an important distinction:
Hyaluronic acid does not replace a moisturiser.
A hydrating serum and a moisturiser can have different roles. Hyaluronic acid can help provide hydration, while moisturisers can help support the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss.
Is hyaluronic acid suitable for dry skin?
It can be.
However, dry skin and dehydrated skin are not exactly the same thing.
Dehydrated skin lacks water.
Dry skin generally refers to skin that lacks sufficient oils or lipids.
Someone can therefore have oily skin that is dehydrated, or dry skin that also needs additional hydration.
Understanding the difference can help you choose skincare more thoughtfully.
How should you use hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is commonly found in serums and moisturisers.
If you're using a hyaluronic acid serum, applying it to slightly damp skin can be a practical way of incorporating a hydrating product into your routine. Follow with a moisturiser to help support the skin and lock in moisture.
And, as always, more is not necessarily better.
A simple skincare routine that works for you is often more useful than having a bathroom cabinet full of products.
What about different types of hyaluronic acid?
You may see products talking about different molecular weights or forms of hyaluronic acid.
These can behave differently on the skin depending on their molecular size and formulation.
So don't feel that you need to choose a product simply because the label says it contains a particular type of hyaluronic acid.
The overall formulation matters too.
Is hyaluronic acid an anti-ageing ingredient?
This is where skincare marketing can sometimes become confusing.
Hyaluronic acid isn't a magic solution for ageing skin.
Its ability to improve hydration can make the skin look temporarily smoother and more plump, which may soften the appearance of fine lines caused or accentuated by dehydration.
But good skin care isn't about finding one miracle ingredient.
It is about understanding what your skin needs and building a routine around it.
The bigger picture
Hyaluronic acid is popular for a good reason: hydration matters.
But healthy-looking skin involves much more than hydration alone.
Your routine may also include ingredients that support the skin barrier, provide antioxidant protection or help with exfoliation, depending on your individual skin needs.
That's why understanding individual ingredients can be useful.
Rather than following every new skincare trend, you can learn what different ingredients actually do and make more informed choices.
The Vésda approach
At Vésda, we believe personal care should be simple, practical and thoughtfully considered.
Our approach isn't about chasing every trending ingredient.
It's about choosing products with a practical purpose and helping you understand what you're putting on your skin.
Because when you understand your care, you can make better choices for yourself.
Own Your Care.
Next in our Sunday Skin Science series:
Ceramides: The Building Blocks of Your Skin Barrier