Hyaluronic Acid 101: Meet The Super-Hydrating Super Ingredient Skin Loves

Hyaluronic Acid, I wanna bathe in it.

Is your skin feeling thirsty? You're not alone. Dry, depleted, and dehydrated skin are widespread skin woes that nearly everyone experiences from time to time.

Several factors can contribute to poor water retention in the skin, including dry climate or environment, certain medications, damage from sun exposure, or overall dehydration. You may also experience water loss in the skin after using too many aggressive products that strip the skin of vital moisture. When this happens, the skin can become flaky, sensitive, irritated, or even congested.

That's the bad news. The good news? There's an ingredient for that. Enter: Hyaluronic Acid (HA).

If you've been hearing a buzz about this trending skin care component, you may be wondering what hype is all about. So to help you out, we've compiled all the answers to some of your most common questions.

Read on for everything you need to know about one of our favorite skincare ingredients:

So what is Hyaluronic Acid?

Something important to note about HA is that it doesn't function like typical acid ingredients commonly found in skincare. Unlike exfoliating alpha-hydroxy or beta-hydroxy acids, hyaluronic acid is an H2O-like substance made naturally by or bodies, and its primary job is to hydrate.

Because of its ability to bind with 1,000 times its own molecular weight in water, when used in skincare, hyaluronic acid works to effectively provide the skin with a tall drink of water and keep moisture locked in.

Alright, now who can use it & what are the benefits?

There's a common misconception that only dry skin types need to use hydrating products, but that isn't entirely true. In fact, hyaluronic acid is incredibly effective for treating nearly all skin types and conditions.

Oily and acneic skin types respond well to hyaluronic acid because it boosts hydration without clogging the pores. Better hydration supports better cellular turnover, which then helps to prevent congestion and breakouts.

Hyaluronic acid is also ideal for dry or aging skin, becoming dull or depleted when lacking moisture. In mature skin types, hyaluronic helps to plump the skin, creating a smoother, more supple complexion and reducing the appearance of fine lines. 

I got the basics now how do I use HA in my routine?

More good news: hyaluronic acid can be found in numerous everyday products, including hydrating toners, masks, and moisturizers, making it very versatile and easy to incorporate into your regular skincare routines.

When shopping for hyaluronic in your products, you may find it listed under a couple of different pseudonyms. Some other common names it appears under include: Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronate Sodium, Hyaluran, Hyaluronan, or Glycosaminoglycan.

To get maximum benefits from hyaluronic acid, you can use it in both your morning routine as well as evening time. It pairs well with other super ingredients like vitamin C or retinol to support overall skin health and radiant, glowing skin. 

Ready to add some hyaluronic to your daily ritual? Some of our best-selling SBS products containing hyaluronic acid are listed throughout this blog, or click here to browse our complete HA collection.

New to skincare? Check out our Beginners Guide