Consider this all-star skincare ingredient your go-to for boosting and retaining moisture in the skin. Here’s how it works, says editor Trudi Brewer, who shares the best beauty buys available at Life Pharmacy.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Found naturally in our bodies, hyaluronic acid (or HA) is a sugar molecule that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It helps hydrate our skin, joints and eyes, but here's the kicker. HA has the ability to attract and bind water molecules, so together, collagen, elastin, and HA form the support our skin needs to stay firm.
HA also plays vital a role in tissue and wound repair. However, similar to collagen and elastin, the amount of naturally-occurring hyaluronic acid we make decreases as we age - all the more reason to apply it topically.
Dermalogica Hyaluronic Ceramide Mist,$83.
This new skin mist offers hyaluronic acid and ceramides in one formula. With one spritz it drenches the skin with four different types of HA, helping your skin maintain moisture levels all day. It’s brilliant to use after cleansing, or over moisturiser and makeup. This mist also calms the skin thanks to aromatic rose water - it’s been a great addition to my beauty routine.
Hyaluronic acid draws water to itself
Once applied to the skin, in either creams or serums, hyaluronic acid gives your complexion a hydrating boost by quickly increasing the skin's natural moisture levels because the ability to draw and hold water, deep in the skin. It’s a compatible ingredient for any skin type or any age.
Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules Hydra-Plumping Serum, $165.
These tiny capsules are packed with H20 hyaluronic acid technology, which allows the HA to sink deep into the skin. Along with ceramides to strengthen the moisture barrier on the skin to lock in hydration. The addition of ginger extracts further firms the skin. They are portable, potent and so convenient, for dispensing a precise dose of serum, you simply twist to open, squeeze the serum onto your fingertips and apply it day and night.
How to find your product fit
Take notice of the words 'micronised hyaluronic acid molecules’ on skincare labels. Though best at binding water, large HA molecules provide hydration only to the surface of the skin. However, tiny HA molecules penetrate deeply through the skin's layers. The best formulas contain a mix of hyaluronic acid molecules in different sizes.
Antipodes Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum with Plant Hyaluronic Acid, $49.
Clean beauty fans will love this new serum. It’s a 100 per cent natural origin formula, created with glow-giving plant extracts, including Kakadu plum stacked with vitamin C, kiwi, grape, avocado extracts, bakuchiol (the plant equivalent to retinol) and of course, plant-derived hyaluronic acid. Together these ingredients help boost collagen and give the skin a protective antioxidant boost.
Hyaluronic acid plays nice with other ingredients
Hyaluronic acid has a soothing and calming effect on all active skin ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, and other salicylic acids. That's why you often see hyaluronic acid combined with age erasing ingredients to help calm any irritations.
Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream, $89.
The hyaluronic acid in this cream is both purified and micronised, so it sinks in deeply and quickly to plump out the skin. It’s also super-versatile; it was created to slip into any skincare routine and become your day (under sunscreen) and at night moisturiser (over serums). Ideal for all ages and skin types from dry to combination, and even sensitive.
Hyaluronic acid makes a brilliant skin primer
Since dehydrated, dry skin is one of the main causes of wrinkles, hyaluronic acid helps replenishes that lost moisture, instantly. Once on the skin, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, which makes a hyaluronic acid serum the ideal primer under makeup.
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Hydrate Primer, $60.
This brand makes great skin primers and their latest works on blurring the look of open pores while alleviating skin dryness. Its silky-smooth, to the touch and the combination of hyaluronic acid with shea butter, helps smooth your complexion in seconds.
The latest skin-changing innovation.