Everything You Need to Know About Hyaluronic Acid

Learn how to use the superstar humectant and all about its skincare benefits—and everything else you need to know about this hydrating ingredient.

If skincare ingredients were celebrities, a certain well-known hydrator would be a bona fide household name. When it comes to hydrating skincare products, there is perhaps no ingredient more ubiquitous than hyaluronic acid. But although you might find the A-list hydrator making an appearance in several different steps of your skincare regimen, from serums to masks to lip products, do you know exactly what makes hyaluronic acid such a widely used and beloved ingredient? Continue reading to learn all about the benefits of hyaluronic acid, including how to use hyaluronic acid and how to layer hyaluronic acid with your other skincare products.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that is naturally found in our skin. It’s a humectant, which means it draws moisture from its surroundings like a magnet, and, as you may have heard, it can famously hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The combination of these two qualities is what makes it a skincare favourite when it comes to adding moisture and hydration to your skin.

Certain things, like aging, sun damage and more, cause the hyaluronic acid that is naturally found in skin to decrease over time, but with the use of topical hyaluronic acid-containing products, those levels of naturally occurring hyaluronic acid can be replenished. A key element of hyaluronic acid’s skin benefits is the speed with which it works to draw moisture into the skin and provide a plumped-up, supple appearance due to increased hydration filling in fine lines. Hyaluronic acid simultaneously provides relief for dry, tight, flaky skin.

How to use hyaluronic acid

Now that you know all about the benefits of hyaluronic acid, it’s time to get into when to use hyaluronic acid and how to layer hyaluronic acid with the rest of your products to build the best skincare routine for your needs.

The beauty of this humectant is that it is beneficial in so many steps and areas of your skincare routine. It’s excellent to use right after cleansing; you can apply a serum like SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier to clean, damp skin to help increase skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels. Remember, because it’s a humectant, it’s best to apply high concentrations of hyaluronic acid to damp skin, as the ingredient can draw that external moisture inward, resulting in instantly plumped-up skin. HA Intensifier increases skin’s hyaluronic acid levels by 30% and is suitable for all skin types; it diminishes the appearance of crow’s feet, nasolabial folds (the lines around the mouth, also called laugh lines) and marionette lines (lines from the corners of the mouth down to the chin) for smoother, firmer skin.

If very dry skin is your primary concern, look no further than SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Mask. The ultra-hydrating face mask contains high concentrations of hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 and leaves skin feeling and looking soft and supple in just 10 to 15 minutes. This mask is ideal for all skin types and is formulated to instantly address signs of dryness, dehydration and aging.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel is an excellent option for extreme hydration for those with acne-prone skin because it’s oil-free. The hydrating serum works to replenish skin’s moisture levels and bind moisture to the skin.

Hyaluronic acid with other ingredients in your skincare routine

One of the great things about hyaluronic acid is how versatile and adaptable it is. It can be easily integrated into any skincare regimen and paired with a myriad of products and ingredients.

So, if you’re wondering: Can you use hyaluronic acid with niacinamide? The answer is yes! Try layering SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier under SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3, a face lotion containing 5% niacinamide.

Can you mix hyaluronic acid with vitamin C?

Absolutely! Follow your morning application of SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic with SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel ;it will hydrate your skin even more after you’ve applied the antioxidant-rich product. Because of its unique serum-gel texture, it leaves skin feeling smooth and even, making it an excellent pre-makeup application step in your skincare routine.

Can you use hyaluronic acid with retinol?

Not only can hyaluronic acid be used with retinol; it’s actually a great idea to do so, as hyaluronic acid’s hydrating benefits can offset any potential irritation caused by retinol. In fact, these two may just be the ultimate skincare duo.

Can you use hyaluronic acid with salicylic acid?

Like with retinol, it’s actually recommended that you add hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine when you’re using a beta hydroxy acid like salicylic acid (or any chemical exfoliant, for that matter!). This is because of hyaluronic acid’s hydrating abilities. Since salicylic acid absorbs excess sebum from the skin’s pores, you’ll want to follow your exfoliation with an application of a hyaluronic acid serum like SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier or a hyaluronic acid mask like SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Mask to replenish any lost moisture.