Hyaluronic acid is a staple in any ardent beauty lovers skincare routine – an increasingly popular ingredient in a slew of skin care products for its superpower hydrating and anti-aging abilities.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic Acid is a powerful skin care ingredient. But don’t let the word acid throw you. This jelly is a water-holding molecule and moisture-binding agent scientifically proven to retain over 1,000 times its molecular weight in water within the cells of skin, making it an excellent moisturiser. While the human body naturally produces hyaluronic acid, we produce less and less as we age.
Hyaluronic acid works by improving skin hydration and assists in the production of collagen. Not sold yet? It also has been proven to fight free radicals, maintains skin elasticity, and even has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help with wound healing.
It’s easy to see why hyaluronic acid is an essential ingredient in serums and moisturisers that can be used on both oily skin and dry skin types. Dehydrated skin and sensitive skin also experience a vast improvement in skin elasticity and texture from continued use.
Hyaluronic acid can be injected into sunken areas of skin to plump it up and minimise the appearance of fine lines – AKA fillers – but you don’t need to get cosmetic injections to reap its benefits.
Just choose an anti-ageing topical treatment boosted with hyaluronic acid (also commonly listed as Sodium Hyaluronate) for improved skin tone, elasticity and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Here, the pick of the best hyaluronic acid formulas for instant hydration…
Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream
Boasting 48 hours of continuous hydration and helps protect against environmental stress.
Olay Luminous Hyaluron + Niacinamide Super Serum
Combined with the power of high purity niacinamide, known for its brightening benefits, this serum instantly hydrates the skin, locking it in four times longer* for up to 24 hours hydration for plump and dewy skin.
Formulated with a bioavailable Hyaluron complex of hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, glycerin and high purity niacinamide, the concentrated, dermatologist tested formula (bonus points for its lightweight, non-greasy and fast-absorbing gel texture) penetrates up to ten layers deep† to instantly hydrate the skin while strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier and locking in hydration.
Complete the ultimate “thirst-trapping” routine with the moisturiser and eye cream.
Brought to you by Olay.
Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum, $65 at Esmi
This hydrating serum, packed with triple-action hyaluronic serum and niacinamide, is like a drink of water for your skin, promising visible results in two hours.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer
A potent cream with a high concentration of hyaluronic acid that transforms atmospheric vapor into fresh, pure water.
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate Serum
This lightweight fast-absorbing serum is Lancôme’s best-selling anti-aging formulation that combats the ten signs of skin photoaging.
Dr. Barbara Strum Hylaronic Acid
This serum is a staple in Kourtney Kardashian, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Hailey Baldwin’s skincare regimens. Plus, it was a staple backstage at last year’s Victoria’s Secret show because of its radiance-boosting capabilities.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% B5
Another cult-worthy formula that garnered a legion of fans after beauty mogul Kim Kardashian labeled this $12 serum as one of her must-have products of 2018.
SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This intensely hydrating and correcting Hyaluronic Acid serum is not only scientifically proven to amplify hyaluronic acid levels in the skin, but its multi-correction formulation will have your complexing looking more plump and firm.
* Hydrates longer vs Olay control formula. In-vivo study, US, 2021
† Epidermis layer
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