Hyaluronic acid is a foundational skincare ingredient that benefits all skin types. This humectant plays a key role in hydration levels and boosts overall skin function for a healthy and comfortable complexion. It also layers well with all other active ingredients, making it a versatile tool that allows you to easily add vital hydration to your skincare routine.
So what does hyaluronic acid do, and how can you work it into your routine? Here’s our comprehensive guide to everything you should know about hyaluronic acid.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
You might already know that hyaluronic acid is naturally found throughout the body, including in the skin, eyes, bones, and joints. This molecule holds moisture to the cells to keep everything lubricated and functioning properly. When it comes to the skin, it supports the complexion’s flexibility, suppleness, and hydration levels.
As we get older, we naturally produce less hyaluronic acid. This can amplify visible signs of aging in the skin, including a loss of firmness and more prominent lines.
Using topical hyaluronic acid for skin improvement helps counteract the negative effects of this loss of natural hyaluronic acid. That’s not to say this isn’t a beneficial ingredient for the younger crowd of skincare enthusiasts. Anyone of any age can improve how their skin looks and feels by adding a hyaluronic acid product to their routine. With that said, let’s dive into the wide range of hyaluronic acid benefits.
1. Hydration
The power of hyaluronic acid comes from its ability to hydrate the complexion and bind water to skin cells. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it pulls water to the skin and locks it in. It’s one of the most powerful humectants in the skincare world, because it’s able to hold close to 1000 times its weight in water!
Due to its ability to lock in water molecules, hyaluronic acid has been shown to restore the complexion’s moisture levels.1 It also improves the skin’s ability to both absorb and retain water.
2. Lipid Barrier Enhancement
The lipid barrier is found on the topmost layer of the skin (AKA the stratum corneum), and is made up of lipids, fatty acids, and ceramides. It’s responsible for protecting the skin against environmental aggressors, such as pollutants, bacteria, and allergens. It also prevents water loss.
Lipid barrier function can be weakened by a variety of different factors, including (but not limited to) over exfoliating, using irritating skin care products, cleansing more than twice a day, and excessive sun exposure. When the lipid barrier is compromised, your skin is at risk of experiencing a range of issues. This may look like redness, irritation, dryness, flakiness, and even more prominent fine lines and wrinkles.
Thankfully, hyaluronic acid can help fortify the barrier by improving its ability to lock in moisture. This keeps the skin feeling and looking comfortable, hydrated, and healthy.
3. Wound Repair
Hyaluronic acid can also play a role in healing a variety of different skin injuries, including burns and abrasions. Research has shown that, when applied topically, it accelerates wound repair2 and decreases pain by regulating inflammation and stimulating tissue regeneration.3 It even has antibacterial properties, and may help minimize the risk of infection.
4. Restore Dull Skin
As noted, our natural production of hyaluronic acid decreases as we age. The result is a loss of volume, which can lead to dullness. Applying an external source of hyaluronic acid to the skin helps mitigate the decreased production and gives the skin the moisture it’s missing for a more voluminous and radiant complexion.
Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
• Helps protect, repair & heal the skin
• Anti-inflammatory ingredient benefits
5. Increased Resilience
By fortifying the barrier and improving general skin health, hyaluronic acid helps improve the skin’s resilience. With continued use, hyaluronic acid ensures the skin is better able to defend itself against a variety of environmental aggressors. The result? A comfortable, hydrated complexion that isn’t easily aggravated by outer sources.
6. Less Wrinkles & Tighter Skin
When the skin is dry, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is exacerbated. Hyaluronic acid is able to plump the complexion and lessen these signs of aging by sealing moisture into the skin.4 As moisture levels increase, not only do fine lines and wrinkles become less visible, but the skin also appears more firm.
7. Skin Cell Regeneration
Our skin cells have a natural cycle in which they turn over to reveal the fresher, newly formed skin cells underneath. This cycle becomes longer as we age, and the skin cells gradually become less effective when it comes to replacing themselves. This contributes to dullness and signs of aging. However, a proper skincare routine can encourage a healthy skin cell renewal process.
Hyaluronic acid helps with this process by creating the environment and providing the moisture our skin cells need to function properly and turn over in a timely manner to reveal a bright and healthy complexion.
Best Products To Use Hyaluronic Acid With
Beyond its many benefits, what’s particularly great about hyaluronic acid is that it is gentle on the skin. Many studies researching the effects of topical hyaluronic acid found the maximum benefits with twice daily application.5 This means you can use it both morning and night without needing to worry about negative side effects like irritation or clogged pores. With all of this in mind, it’s easy to work hyaluronic acid into your routine.
The Foundation Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Lotion was created to give your complexion a daily dose of hyaluronic acid. Since hyaluronic acid is the only active ingredient in this lotion, the versatile and gentle solution can be safely paired with other products you’re using in your routine. It will help improve your barrier and boost your skin’s ability to retain water while you target other concerns with additional skincare solutions. This lotion is safe for all skin types, including those with sensitive and acne-prone skin.
When it comes to layering Hyaluronic Acid Lotion with other products, the options really are endless – but we do have some favorites. For those with acne-prone skin, try the Foundation Skincare Azelaic Acid 14% Cream, which calms redness and inflammation while improving breakouts and uneven skin tone and texture. Apply this after applying the lotion.
If you are looking to fade hyperpigmentation, try the Foundation Skincare Niacinamide Lotion 10%, a formula thoughtfully created to lighten dark spots while fighting blemishes, controlling sebum production, and lessening redness. This should be applied before our Hyaluronic Acid Lotion.
No matter what your current skincare routine looks like, you can easily find a way to work in hyaluronic acid. This non-irritating multitasker gives the skin the support it needs to look and feel comfortable, hydrated, and healthy.
