What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies, mainly found in the skin, eyes, and joints. It has a slippery, gel-like consistency and plays a vital role in retaining moisture, which is key to keeping your skin hydrated, plump, and healthy, while also helping to maintain its structure.
In this article, we’ll explore the many benefits of Hyaluronic Acid in skincare, how to include it in your skincare routine, and guide you in choosing the right product for your needs.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare
Hyaluronic Acid attracts and retains moisture, providing an instant burst of hydration and enhancing your skin’s natural beauty. In addition to its impressive hydrating power, it also helps maintain and improve the skin’s structure, promoting healthy ageing. It offers protection against daily impurities and is ideal for sensitive skin, as it is naturally present in the body. Below are more details on the wonderful benefits of Hyaluronic Acid:
• Intense Hydration: Hyaluronic Acid is an incredibly potent hydrating agent, capable of holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water. This means it can keep your skin beautifully hydrated by preventing water from escaping too quickly, offering deep and long-lasting moisture.
• Age-Defying: By helping to maintain your skin’s natural elasticity and firmness, Hyaluronic Acid plays a key role in ensuring your skin ages well. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while also improving the overall health and appearance of your skin.
• Barrier Protection: Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant, strengthening the skin’s natural barrier by drawing moisture from the environment and locking it in, helping to prevent moisture loss. It enhances the skin's resilience to damage and irritation, while its ability to keep skin hydrated boosts elasticity. Hyaluronic Acid also supports the skin's natural ability to repair itself.
• Soothing: Since Hyaluronic Acid is naturally produced by our bodies, it’s non-irritating, making it well suited for sensitive or blemish-prone skin. Its moisturising properties and barrier protection also reduce the appearance of scarring.
Hyaluronic Acid is suitable for all skin types and ages, making it an essential ally in your skincare routine. Regardless of your skin type, age, or routine, it’s a must-have for everyone.
How to Use Hyaluronic Acid in Your Beauty Routine
Hyaluronic Acid is a fantastic ingredient for keeping your skin hydrated and plump. To incorporate it into your beauty routine, you can choose products that contain Hyaluronic Acid, like the ones we offer. Let us walk you through the steps of a beauty routine:
Step 1 - Cleansing
Start with a gentle, hydrating cleanser to remove impurities while preserving your skin’s moisture balance. A great choice is our Sensitive Comfort & Hydrate Micellar Cleanser, for a clean, soft, and refreshed feeling.
Step 2 - Toning
After cleansing, apply a toner to remove any remaining impurities and prepare your skin for better absorption of your next products, such as serums and moisturisers. Toners act as a second layer of cleansing, helping to remove any daily impurities, oil, makeup, or cleanser. They open the pores, readying your skin for the hydrating step that follows, giving your complexion a natural glow.
Step 3 - Serum Application
Serums are applied after cleansing and before moisturising, delivering targeted ingredients deep into the skin. Many already include hydrating hyaluronic acid.
At Neal’s Yard Remedies, we offer Wild Rose Beauty Serum for all skin types as well as Frankincense Intense™ Lift Serum for mature skin.
Step 4 - Moisturising
Now that your skin is clean and ready to receive hydration, it’s time for the Hyaluronic Acid to lock in moisture. To maximise its hydrating effect, apply it to slightly damp skin. Our Wild Rose Glow Day Cream will brighten and revitalise dull skin, while our Sensitive Replenish & Balance Moisturiser is an ideal choice for delicate, sensitive skin.
Step 5 - Sun Protection
Finish with an SPF like our Wild Rose Moisturising SPF 30 to protect your skin from UV damage and prevent moisture loss.
By following these simple yet effective steps, you can easily incorporate Hyaluronic Acid into your skincare routine for radiant, hydrated skin.
Choosing the Right Hyaluronic Acid Product
Not all Hyaluronic Acid products are created equal. Our Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Booster is a water-based gel formulated with a 1% complex of hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate and a Hibiscus Flower Extract to plump, smooth and hydrate skin. Hibiscus extract enhances hydration and helps to replenish dry and dehydrated skin, to leave skin looking plumped, dewier, and healthier. When selecting the right Hyaluronic Acid product for your skin, it’s important to consider your skin type. If you have oily skin, opt for a water-based formula, while oil-based ones are better suited for dry skin. Our Wild Rose Glow Day Cream for example, is a water-based cream with hyaluronic acid that visibly enhances radiance day after day.
Hyaluronic Acid is also good for mature skin, as it helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by deeply hydrating and plumping the skin, giving it a smoother, more youthful look. Browse our Frankincense Intense™ collection to find Hyaluronic Acid products that nourish and visibly rejuvenate the skin, supporting a firmer-looking, more radiant complexion while targeting the visible signs of ageing.
Regardless of your skin type, choosing organic products, free from synthetic additives, such as our Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Booster, will care for your skin naturally.
Finally, Hyaluronic Acid works beautifully with many other skincare ingredients, particularly water-based ones. It can be combined with other serums and moisturisers to enhance the overall hydrating effect and support optimal skin moisture. For example, it can boost the hydrating benefits of Vitamin C, while Vitamin C can, in turn, amplify the anti-ageing properties of Hyaluronic Acid. Discover our Vitamin C Brightening Booster which combines Vitamin C and ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid.
Is Hyaluronic Acid Safe?
Hyaluronic Acid is naturally produced by our bodies, making it safe to use. It is gentle and non-irritating, which means it’s suitable for all skin types, from sensitive to dry or blemish-prone skin.
At Neal's Yard Remedies, we focus on creating effective products, with natural and organic ingredients, to ensure the best care for your skin.
Hyaluronic Acid for Age-Defying Benefits
Although Hyaluronic Acid is naturally present in our bodies, particularly in the skin, its amount declines over time. As our skin's hydration levels change, it may become necessary to replenish it. Additionally, there is a natural reduction in Hyaluronic Acid as we age, starting in our 20s and accelerating around our 40s. This decline can lead to dryness, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin texture, and a loss of firmness.
Incorporating Hyaluronic Acid into your skincare routine can help address these concerns by replenishing the Hyaluronic Acid that has naturally been lost. It can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles while enhancing skin firmness and elasticity, supporting your skin’s youthful vitality.
For mature skin, our Frankincense Intense™ Age-Defying Cream is an age-defying cream that contains Hyaluronic Acid and is designed to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles across all skin types and tones.
Signs You Need Hyaluronic Acid
All skin types can benefit from using Hyaluronic Acid, even if you don’t yet notice signs of dehydration. This is due to the many benefits we’ve already mentioned. However, there are some clear signs that indicate your skin might be craving hydration:
Dry Skin: If your skin feels tight, flaky, or rough, it’s likely in need of moisture.
Dullness: A lacklustre complexion could be a sign that your skin requires additional hydration.
Fine Lines: Dehydrated skin often makes fine lines appear more pronounced.
Increased Sensitivity: If your skin feels irritated or looks red, Hyaluronic Acid can help soothe and restore balance.
If you’re experiencing any of these signs, discover our range of hydrating products, designed to offer immediate comfort and help restore your skin’s natural glow.
Using Hyaluronic Acid in your skincare routine can help restore hydration, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and improve skin firmness. It strengthens the skin’s natural barrier, protecting against daily environmental impurities, and is gentle enough for all skin types, including sensitive and blemish-prone skin.
Our collection of natural and organic Hyaluronic Acid-infused skincare products is designed to boost hydration and promote a radiant, glowing complexion. Whether you're looking to target dryness, visibly improve skin elasticity, or address signs of ageing, our products offer fast-absorbing hydration and support long-term skin health.
FAQs
What does Hyaluronic Acid do to your skin?
Hyaluronic Acid is a powerful ingredient that attracts and retains moisture, providing your skin with an instant boost of hydration. This helps keep the skin plump, smooth, and healthy while improving its overall structure and appearance.
Is Hyaluronic Acid suitable for all skin types?
Yes, Hyaluronic Acid is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, dry, and oily skin. Its gentle, non-irritating nature makes it ideal for even the most sensitive skin, providing hydration without causing harm.
Can I use Hyaluronic Acid with other skincare ingredients?
Yes, Hyaluronic Acid pairs beautifully with many other skincare ingredients, such as vitamin C, ceramides, and retinol. It can improve hydration and boost the effectiveness of other active ingredients in your routine.
How often should I use Hyaluronic Acid?
You can use Hyaluronic Acid both morning and evening to keep your skin nourished throughout the day or night.
Can Hyaluronic Acid help with acne-prone skin?
Yes, Hyaluronic Acid can benefit acne-prone skin. It helps hydrate and soothe the skin without clogging pores, which can reduce irritation and redness often caused by dryness or acne treatments.
How does Hyaluronic Acid help reduce fine lines and wrinkles?
Hyaluronic Acid helps to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by plumping and hydrating the skin. As it attracts moisture, it supports the skin’s elasticity and helps reduce the visible signs of ageing for a more youthful complexion.
What is the difference between Hyaluronic Acid and other moisturising ingredients?
Hyaluronic Acid is a unique moisturiser because it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, ensuring deep hydration. Unlike other moisturisers, it draws moisture from the environment and locks it into the skin, providing long-lasting hydration and maintaining the skin's natural structure.
Does Hyaluronic Acid help with skin hydration in dry climates?
Yes, Hyaluronic Acid is particularly effective in dry climates. It draws moisture from the air and helps prevent water loss, ensuring your skin stays hydrated and healthy even in arid conditions.
