Hyaluronic acid is here to stay in world of skincare, and we couldn't be happier about it. It splashed onto the beauty scene like a millennial pink, and understandably so with its looooong list of attributes. The attribute it is best known for is its thrilling hydration qualities – promising to plump, boost and hydrate those fine lines right out of your skin. And believe us, it really delivers.
But if you are still confused why this prom queen continues to be so popular and how exactly you should be adding her to your skincare routine, look no further. Read on to learn how something called an “acid” can be so hydrating.
1/ What exactly is hyaluronic acid and why is it so hydrating?
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant. Okay, so what is a humectant? A humectant is a substance that looooves water so much that it attracts moisture. It can do this a couple different way, including drawing moisture from the air. So when hyaluronic acid is used in skincare formulations it creates supreme hydration in your skin by pulling moisture from the air.
2/ Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced in your body.
Yep. Despite its lab-like name, hyaluronic acid is naturally produced in your body. It is largely found in your skin and connective tissue (think joints) for the purpose of retaining moisture and keeping your tissues well lubricated.
The problem is, as we get older, we produce less hyaluronic acid. Which is one of the reasons you start to notice more prominent dry skin as you age. And, unfortunately, dry skin only speeds up the aging process so you quickly find yourself in a negative feedback loop.
3/ Yes, you can use hyaluronic acid if you’re acne prone.
Acne sufferers like to put a big X next to anything that says “moisture,” “oil,” or “hydration.” And we get it. While you want to avoid pore clogging oils, you still need water based humectants to keep your skin healthy so it can fight the good fight against acne. Hyaluronic acid is going to be your best bet in providing hydration to your skin while keeping your skin barrier happy and healthy.
4/ “Pure hyaluronic acid” is not a thing.
Don’t trust anyone who tells you a product has “pure hyaluronic acid.” Industry standard is 1 to 2%. It is super expensive so the good stuff is dosed out in small quantities.
5/ If used incorrectly, hyaluronic acid can dry out your skin.
If the there is zero humidity in the air, hyaluronic acid will pull moisture from deeper levels of the skin, this is why it is really important to always use an occlusive (i.e. a moisturizing agent that works by forming a protective layer on the surface of your skin, thus creating a barrier to prevent moisture loss) in addition to your hyaluronic acid. This way any moisture either pulled from the atmosphere or from a deeper layer of your skin will be sealed in, and will not evaporate, leaving your skin drier than before.
Of course, La Crème contains both hyaluronic acid and an occlusive, which is why we can’t stop talking about how soft our skin feels these days. Seriously, we go around telling people to feel our face! Thank you, La Crème!
