When you hear the word “acid,” you might think back to high school chemistry and your teacher warning you to wear gloves to avoid burns. But with hyaluronic acid (HA), there’s no need to worry about that. Instead, this incredible molecule actually helps to hydrate and plump up your skin.
Though it might sound intimidating, HA is a fantastic ingredient for your skincare products. It’s a powerful beauty booster and a naturally occurring substance found throughout your body. HA helps regulate cell renewal, lubricates connective tissues, and maintains your skin’s elasticity. In fact, an average person weighing around 155 pounds has about 15 grams of HA in their body, with half of that located in the skin.
I’m a big fan of natural beauty and using potent ingredients like hyaluronic acid! When applied to the skin, it creates a moisture barrier that leaves your skin smooth and soft. A healthy skin barrier is essential for healthy skin.
HA is one of the “must-have” ingredients in beauty and skincare products (like our Hella Hydrating Serum), so I thought it would be a good time to talk about all the skin-boosting benefits of this simple, natural compound.
### What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Despite its scary name, hyaluronic acid is anything but harsh! This naturally occurring compound is fantastic for skin health. Allow me to geek out a little on this super-powered natural ingredient.
Technically, HA is a large sugar molecule, a polysaccharide, found naturally in your skin and connective tissues. It’s gooey, slippery, and sticky and acts as a humectant, meaning it draws in and holds water—great news for your skin.
HA can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water! In the body, it works like a sponge, serving as a cushion and lubricant for our skin, joints, nerves, hair, and eyes. More than half of the HA in your body is in the skin, making it an important ingredient in natural serums and moisturizers.
One cool thing about hyaluronic acid is that it comes in various molecular sizes, each offering specific benefits for different skin layers. Products with multiple molecular weights will be best for your skin, absorbing better and targeting all skin layers for optimal results.
Hyaluronic acid has two main molecular weights (high and low) that work on different skin layers. There’s another very low molecular weight- hyaluronic acid (<50kDa), but current data doesn’t show it as beneficial for skincare. Having explained the technical aspects, let's dive into the amazing benefits of this magical compound. ### Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid for Skin There are multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. When shopping for skincare, look for products containing multiple weights for better absorption and benefits. Our Hella Hydrating Serum combines these multiple weights to give you a plump, dewy glow! 1. **Hydrates the Skin** HA is a humectant, which means it loves drawing in and holding onto water. With its ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in water, HA provides ultimate hydration when applied topically. Depending on its size, it can hydrate either the skin's outer layer (epidermis) or penetrate to the lower layers. It also acts as an osmotic pump, helping water-soluble actives penetrate deeper into the skin. Hydrated skin looks smooth, soft, supple, and plump, appearing more youthful with regular HA use. Check out the reviews on our bestselling Hella Hydrating Serum for proof! 2. **Supports Cell Renewal** Healthy skin relies on cells that can renew and repair themselves, and HA supports this process. As a main component of the extracellular matrix (the fluid between our cells), HA has anti-inflammatory properties and plays a key role in tissue regeneration. Adding it to your routine keeps your skin and cells healthy and happy. 3. **Creates a Moisture Barrier** Maintaining the skin's natural barrier is crucial, and HA helps by trapping and holding water on the skin's surface. A healthy moisture barrier is essential for a vibrant glow and skin protection from environmental toxins and irritants, helping to prevent conditions like rosacea and eczema. 4. **Improves Skin Elasticity** Thanks to its hydrating power, HA helps maintain skin elasticity, keeping it supple and smooth. For added synergy, support skin elasticity from the inside by taking collagen supplements. [Read more here.] 5. **Reduces the Appearance of Fine Lines & Wrinkles** By attracting and holding water, HA naturally plumps up and smooths your skin, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. For best results, combine with other wrinkle-fighting ingredients like organic cold-pressed rosehip oil. [Learn the benefits of using rosehip oil here.] 6. **Can Speed Up Wound Healing** When injured, the body sends more HA to the area to speed healing. Studies show that applying HA topically to wounds can reduce their size and pain, and some studies suggest high-weight HA might also have antibacterial effects, beneficial for acne sufferers. 7. **A Gentle Skincare Ingredient** Having struggled with moderate to severe rosacea, I know how rare non-irritating skincare products can be. HA locks in moisture without disrupting sensitive skin, making it suitable for acne, eczema, and rosacea sufferers. ### Who Should Use Hyaluronic Acid? As we age, our bodies produce less collagen and HA, essential for plump, hydrated skin. That's why almost everyone can benefit from adding this ingredient to their routine. The sooner you start using HA, the better, as maintaining skin health is easier than repairing damage. But it’s never too late to start! With regular HA use, your skin will stay hydrated all day. Incorporating HA into your skincare routine helps counteract aging signs and keeps your skin happy, hydrated, and glowing! ### How to Use Hyaluronic Acid For the best results, follow these tips: - Apply HA to clean, damp skin to help trap moisture. - Use HA products consistently as part of your daily skincare routine. - Layer with a moisturizer to seal in hydration and maximize benefits. Our Hella Hydrating Serum is a fantastic option, featuring just two ingredients: hyaluronic acid and organic cold-pressed rosehip oil. This powerful duo reduces fine lines and wrinkles, provides intense hydration, and locks in moisture for smoother, softer skin. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich nutrients calm irritation, making your skin feel refreshed and deeply hydrated. In addition to all the amazing benefits of HA, cold-pressed rosehip oil further enhances our Hella Hydrating Serum. Studies show using rosehip oil for eight weeks increases skin moisture and elasticity, reducing fine lines around the eyes. It's also packed with vitamin E and anthocyanins, soothing irritation for those with rosacea, eczema, and acne-prone skin. I hope all this information inspires you to take the best care of your skin! ### How Can You Tell Which Types of HA a Product Contains? It's not mandatory for product labels to list the molecular forms of HA, and brands often keep this information proprietary. However, we use both weights in our Hella Hydrating Serum. Hope that helps! Love it, Joy! I’m a fan of HA too and have seen noticeable skin elasticity improvements. I’m glad to hear it's working well for you!
