Article Overview
- Hyaluronic acid is classified as a carbohydrate molecule and is found throughout the body and skin. The skincare industry has placed hyaluronic acid into the spotlight due to its unique and impressive ability to retain moisture within the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring humectant, which means it’s an ingredient that draws in and retains moisture to keep skin hydrated. Retaining one thousand times its weight in water, hyaluronic acid acts as a fountain for the skin and helps prevent transepidermal water loss. While it is produced naturally, the skin’s supply of hyaluronic acid starts to diminish and production rates for this valuable molecule decrease with age. Levels of hyaluronic acid begin steadily decreasing in your twenties, declining at an increased growing rate past the age of forty. These levels can be supplemented through topical application of hyaluronic acid skincare products. Ensuring your skin has enough hyaluronic acid will keep moisture levels healthy, resulting in plumper, firmer and younger-looking skin. When developing a skincare routine, it is important to understand what hyaluronic acid is and how it can impact your skin’s health.
- Understanding the benefits vitamin C for the skin, and the different forms in which it comes, will help you select the most suitable products for your skin needs.
WHAT ARE HYALURONIC ACID’S BENEFITS FOR THE SKIN?
Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the surface layer of the epidermis to improve skin hydration. Adding hyaluronic acid into a skincare routine can reduce signs of ageing, targeting several skincare concerns like dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. With skin damage caused by chronological ageing, external aggressors, UV, exposure to irritants and genetic predispositions, skin can become dull with areas of hyperpigmentation and visible volume loss. Hyaluronic acid benefits the skin with its nurturing and hydrating properties that visibly revive your appearance. Implementing hyaluronic acid into your daily routine will provide skin with intense hydration, key to resolving skin concerns such as dull and dry skin.
HYALURONIC ACID BENEFITS FOR DIFFERENT SKIN TYPES
As it is naturally occurring, hyaluronic acid is a gentle ingredient that works well with all skin types. Its ability to draw and retain moisture within the skin provides many benefits to different skin types and concerns.
Oily skin type
People with an oily skin type may hold the misconception that their skin does not require additional moisture. This is incorrect as oily skin is the result of an excess of sebum, and can still become dehydrated, which is the consequence of moisture loss. Skin can be both oily and dehydrated, in some cases excessive oil production may even be a result of dehydration. This occurs when the skin increases its sebum production when lacking moisture to try and restore balance. Introducing products with hyaluronic acid to a skincare routine for oily skin can help balance the skin’s oil production whilst hydrating.
Dry skin type
Dry skin indicates a lack of sebum production and is often characterised by tightness, flaking, and sometimes increased sensitivity. Those with other skin types may also experience these characteristics when their skin is feeling dehydrated. If your skin suffers from dryness, the humectant capabilities of hyaluronic acid can provide great benefits by helping to restore moisture levels. Those with dry skin should incorporate a hyaluronic acid serums into both their morning and evening skincare routine to maintain hydration. Dry skin can also make the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles more pronounced. The plumping benefits of hyaluronic acid can restore moisture loss and help diminish the appearance of these signs of ageing.
Combination skin type
People with combination skin show signs of two or more skin types that fluctuate depending on external and environmental factors. Combination skin often appears as dry and flaky in some areas, whilst oily around the chin, nose and forehead, also known as the T-zone. Hyaluronic acid benefits those with combination skin as it can hydrate all areas without exacerbating an oily T-zone. Its ability to hydrate without using oil makes it great for those with both oily and dry skin types.
Normal skin type
A normal skin type is generally quite balanced, not too oily or dry, with stable sebum production. In saying this, normal skin types can still benefit from hyaluronic acid as the natural supply of humectants will diminish with age. The essential molecule has a short lifespan and is depleted by 30-50% every 24 hours. This decline steepens with age, highlighting the need for hyaluronic acid to fight dullness and keep the skin’s volume full and hydrated.
Sensitive skin
As it is a naturally occurring, hyaluronic acid can also be suitable for sensitive skin types. However, as skin sensitivities can have a number of different causes, SkinCeuticals recommend consulting with a dermatologist before incorporating any new products into your skincare routine.
INCLUDING HYALURONIC ACID IN A SKIN CARE ROUTINE
Hyaluronic acid is a hero ingredient for your skincare products and is most effective when topically applied in a hydrating serum. Incorporating a hyaluronic acid serum once or twice daily will see the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving you with brighter, plumper and well-hydrated skin.
Apply four to five drops of your chosen hyaluronic acid serum into a clean palm, gently pat the product onto your face, neck and chest until fully blended into the skin.
Hyaluronic acid is an extremely versatile ingredient and well-suited for use in conjunction with other skincare formulations such as retinol and vitamin C, making the perfect addition for both morning and evening routines. If applying hyaluronic acid in the morning, use a SkinCeuticals antioxidant vitamin C serum first before adding a SkinCeuticals sunscreen last. When incorporating a hyaluronic acid serum into your evening skincare routine, use hyaluronic acid after applying a SkinCeuticals retinol cream.
HYALURONIC ACID SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
SkinCeuticals utilises hyaluronic acid in a variety of their serums to deliver hydration and dry skin repair. The range of SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid serums are designed to give you hydrated, visibly brighter and younger-looking skin.
SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier Serum
The SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier Serum is formulated to increase the skin’s hyaluronic levels by 30%, giving immediate and long-lasting anti-ageing results. This hydrating serum has been tested to improve plumpness, firmness, elasticity and texture in the skin.
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Hydrating Mist
The SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist is a hydrating mist that is formulated with hyaluronic acid, glycerin and a botanical blend to visibly reduce the appearance of redness, while adding a boost of hydration to the skin and helping to strengthen the skin’s natural protective barrier. Apply in the morning to bare skin, or throughout the day for a moisture boost on top or beneath makeup.
SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel
The SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel infuses skin with hyaluronic acid to restore moisture and hydration, and add radiance to your complexion. This hydrating serum is also formulated with vitamin B5, a skin repairing ingredient that makes it the ideal hyaluronic acid serum for acne-prone skin.
SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque
For an intensive hyaluronic acid treatment, opt for the SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque, a weekly gel masque designed to intensely hydrate and visibly revive the skin. This masque can improve the skin’s natural tissue repair function and optimises moisture infusion in targeted areas.
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel Serum
The SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel Serum has been formulated with botanical extracts that soothe the skin. The hyaluronic acid in this serum helps hydrate, whilst the thyme, olive and cucumber can reduce signs of redness.
SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator Serum
Simultaneously exfoliate and hydrate skin with the SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator Serum to leave the skin feeling firm and smooth. The oil-free formula promotes a radiant complexion that helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
SUMMARY
With its unique capability of binding and retaining water in the skin, hyaluronic acid is an effective and essential ingredient for all skin types. From helping restore hydration, to plumping and smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyaluronic acid can provide effective benefits at any age. Developing a tailored skin care routine that incorporates hyaluronic acid products specifically designed for each and every skin type will help you to achieve a more balanced, hydrated and healthier appearance for skin.
REFERENCES
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583886/
https://www.skinceuticals.co.uk/en_GB/hyaluronic-acid-benefits-for-skin.html
https://www.skinceuticals.co.uk/en_GB/the-benefits-of-hyaluronic-acid-serum-for-wrinkles.html
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22052267/
https://www.skinceuticals.com.au/all-products/hyaluronic-acid-serum/ap4-152.aspx#LearnMoreAbout
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Shop Featured Products
HA Intensifier Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Hydration serum with multi-corrective anti-ageing benefits to deeply hydrate skin
Hydrating B5 Serum
A hydrating, hyaluronic acid serum that replenishes moisture and restores radiance for a smoother complexion. The oil-free formula also contains vitamin B5 for acne-prone skin.
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Phyto Corrective Essence Hydrating Mist
Hyaluronic acid hydrating facial mist to help reduce visible redness and skin sensitivity
Retexturing Activator Exfoliating Serum
This oil-free serum is formulated to simultaneously exfoliate skin and replenish moisture for a smooth, radiant looking complexion.
