Beauty Dictionary: H for Hyaluronic Acid

If you have the habit of reading the ingredients list on your skincare products, it’s likely that you would come across hyaluronic acid. Produced naturally in the body, hyaluronic acid is a humectant that has the ability to hold a large amount of moisture – every gram of hyaluronic acid can hold about six litres of water.

When used in skincare, hyaluronic acid is able to hydrate skin. Most cosmetic injection fillers are made with hyaluronic acid for its ability to plump skin and make it look more supple. Aside from hyaluronic acid, you might also notice sodium hyaluronate in your skincare ingredients list. It is a salt derived from hyaluronate acid and has a smaller molecular structure, allowing it to penetrate deeper into skin. However, hyaluronic acid is more expensive, so it’s likely that you’ll find sodium hyaluronate instead.

Regular hyaluronic acid are relatively large, only hydrating the top layers of skin. With advances in skincare technology, hyaluronic acid with smaller molecular weight have been developed to allow it to penetrate deeper into skin for enhanced results.

Hyaluronic acid is suitable for every skin type. Those with oily or blemish-prone skin would benefit from using a hyaluronic acid based serum to restore moisture to skin, without the greasiness that often comes with emollient products. They are also incredibly gentle, making them ideal for sensitive skin as well.

READ MORE:
How To Give Skin A Radiant, Dewy Finish Even If You Have Oily Complexion
Look Out For This Ingredient In All Your Anti-Ageing Skincare
The One Skincare Ingredient You Need To Look Out For If You Have Eczema