There's a bunch of ingredients in the skincare space that have garnered a lot of attention recently and wormed their way into every skincare junkie's vocabulary. And then there's hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid for skin isn't a new phenomenon, but people have just started taking note of it — and you best believe that it's here to say. Let's take a look at the hyaluronic acid uses for skin and what this ingredient is all about.
What is hyaluronic acid?
First off, let's understand what hyaluronic acid actually is.
Also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid is a slippery, gooey substance produced naturally by the body. In technical terms, they are sugar molecules known as polysaccharides. The connective tissues in our body naturally contain these molecules for cushioning and lubrication. Many parts of the body contain hyaluronic acid, including our skin, eyes, and joints.
As the body ages, its hyaluronic acid stores decrease. Research shows that age is one factor, but other environmental factors like air pollution and smoking are also to blame. Sadly, that is the bad news.
Hyaluronic acid can help rebuild those depleted stores when it is included in topical products, such as hyaluronic acid serum or moisturizer. This is because water molecules are attracted to hyaluronic acid, which increases the skin's water content. Hydration and moisture retention are among the key hyaluronic acid skin benefits.
Benefits of hyaluronic acid for skin
1. It promotes skin hydration
By penetrating the skin and binding water to skin cells, even topically applying hyaluronic acid is like taking a big gulp of water for your skin. The ingredient manages to infuse all layers of the skin with rejuvenating moisture, since it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. And this works really well for drier, more mature skin too! As we age, our bodies produce less hyaluronic acid, so adding it topically can make a huge impact on older skin.
This Simple Booster Serum - 3% Hyaluronic Acid + B5 supercharges your skin with triple Hyaluronic Acid, Pro-Vitamin B5, and Pentavitin for 72 hours deep hydration. It also acts as anti-aging by reducing fine lines for younger looking skin.

2. It works as a humectant
ICYDK, hyaluronic acid is a humectant ingredient. What humectants do, is that they draw external moisture into the skin when applied and absorbed by the skin. This allows a hyaluronic acid moisturizer, for instance, to penetrate into the skin properly and boost the natural moisture content. Plus, this means it retains the moisture too! This is the easiest way to get glowing skin.
3. It enhances the skin barrier
An annoying fact about everyday life — just casually going about your day can destroy your skin barrier, thanks to external environmental factors. With this, as we age, the lipid barrier of our skin slows down, and everything from UV rays to environmental pollution can cause damage. Thankfully, hyaluronic acid fortifies the skin's natural barrier, and over time, can help slow down the deterioration of the skin barrier.
This Ponds Super Light Gel Oil Free Moisturiser With Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin E is infused with the goodness of Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E and Glycerine that gives you 24-hour hydration for a water-fresh glow. It improves your skin’s natural moisture holding capacity, making it soft, smooth and bouncy from within.

4. It smoothens the skin texture
Have you ever dreamt of having perfect, almost untextured skin that looks airbrushed? Join the club! Hyaluronic acid's here to save the day; hyaluronic acid can make the skin appear tighter and smoother by filling the skin with moisture. While it won't replace the elastin in your skin, it can definitely make the face feel firmer with younger, plumper-looking skin.
5. It reduces the visibility of wrinkles
Did we mention the anti-ageing benefits of hyaluronic acid? Since the skin isn't busy fighting for more hydration, it can focus on producing more skin cells that contribute to reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Hyaluronic acid not only protects your skin from external factors, but internal factors like ageing too. It's a beautiful ingredient for repairing the skin and keeping it looking youthful.
Hyaluronic acid manages to plump up the skin by promoting cell generation, and you'll be sure to have wrinkle-free skin in no time if you use it regularly. It truly is the ingredient for all ages!
6. It speeds up wound repair
If you've scratched that pimple on your face to no end, or have random wounds that refuse to leave, hyaluronic acid has you covered. By regulating inflammation levels and signalling the body to build more blood vessels in the damaged area, hyaluronic acid is a miracle ingredient that speeds up wound healing. Plus, it's got antibacterial properties that reduce the risk of infection when directly applied to open wounds. We call this one a total win!
Any disadvantages to using hyaluronic acid
With so many pros, though, we're left to wonder — are there any disadvantages to hyaluronic acid? The good news is, none! Since it's a component that's found in your skin, there aren't really any disadvantages to hyaluronic acid. It can be used by anyone who wants plumper, healthier skin that glows. The only rule here that you need to be sure of is that your hyaluronic acid product contains a concentration less than 2%. This is because anything more than that can carry other unwanted ingredients, chemicals and bacteria into the skin, and if your skin is compromised in any way, this might mean bad news.
Thankfully, though, most (if not all) hyaluronic acid products for skin contain less than that concentration, so as long as you're not experimenting with creating hyaluronic acid for skin by yourself (which, please don't) you're good to go!
So, finally, is hyaluronic acid for skin worth the hype? The answer to this is a vehement yes! Hyaluronic acid is a lightweight, watery ingredient that fully hydrates the skin, plumps up the skin, and easily penetrates the skin when applied topically.
FAQs about Hyaluronic Acid
Is hyaluronic acid worth using for skin?
Hyaluronic acid for skin is definitely worth the hype. Anyone starting from the age of twenty can use it, and it's a beautiful ingredient that will maintain your skin for a really long time. And the best part is — you don't have to remove it from your routine at all!
Does hyaluronic acid help acne?
As a filler, hyaluronic acid can be used to conceal or repair acne scars. Hyaluronic acid has been combined with a number of medications to treat acne, but its effectiveness has not been proven so far.
Can I use hyaluronic acid every day?
Yes, of course! It is recommended that hyaluronic acid be applied twice a day for the best results. It can be used as a moisturizer, serum, etc., based on your needs. Hence, hyaluronic acid is the ultimate hydrating agent for your skin!
Written by Kinnari Ashar on 11th Aug 2022