Hyaluronic acid has received a lot of buzz over the last few years as a superstar skincare ingredient, with common claims like:
It plumps and hydrates the skin unlike anything else!
Hyaluronic acid reduces wrinkles and lines.
It can even reduce scarring and make wounds heal faster.
However, many of us aren’t entirely sure what hyaluronic acid is and if there’s any evidence to back up some of the wilder claims out there.
So, today, we’re tackling what hyaluronic acid is, its touted health benefits, and the research behind these claims to help you decide if this skincare ingredient is right for you.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan in our body that is found between skin cells and other tissues. Simply put, glycosaminoglycans are long unbranched carbohydrates, aka sugars, known as polysaccharides.
It also makes up a large portion of synovial fluid, which lubricates and cushions our joints so that they can move smoothly and fills an inner chamber of our eyes.
One of the primary reasons hyaluronic acid works in the body so well is that it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, helping the skin, tissues, and joints stay hydrated and lubricated.
Hyaluronic Acid Skin Care Benefits
Hyaluronic acid has numerous benefits, but some of the key benefits listed by one of America’s premier medical institutions, The Cleveland Clinic, include:
- Improving skin flexibility: Hyaluronic acid may reduce skin wrinkles and lines by helping the skin to stretch and flex better.
- Improving hydration: Hyaluronic acid holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it a powerful ingredient for hydration. It’s even used for treating dry eyes!
- Helping your joints to move smoother: While not skincare related, it was also noted that hyaluronic acid could help lubricate the joints better and prevent discomfort or injury from bones hitting up against each other.
Other common claims include hyaluronic acid helping with facial redness, healing wounds or acne scarring, and being an all-around superstar ingredient for anti-aging.
The Research Behind Hyaluronic Acid
So, what has science actually found about hyaluronic acid in skincare? Does it really work?
Overall, the research behind hyaluronic acid as a skincare ingredient has been overwhelmingly positive.
One 2011 study on topical treatment with hyaluronic acid showed an improvement in skin elasticity by 20 percent in participants who applied a hyaluronic acid formula twice daily. The study also noted that the hyaluronic acid group showed a significant reduction of wrinkle depth and improved skin hydration!
A 2021 study studied 40 women between the ages of 30 and 65 with a large range of skin tones. It measured how hyaluronic acid affected skin hydration, smoothness, fine lines, wrinkles, and the overall appearance of skin tissues with high-frequency ultrasound. Scientists found that hyaluronic acid produced immediate improvements in skin hydration, which was sustained throughout the entire study. After six weeks, clinical, chemical, photographic, and instrumental assessments recorded a significant improvement in skin smoothness (64%), hydration (63%), plumping (60%), fine lines (31%), and wrinkles (14%). The overall global assessment of the participants’ skin showed a 43% improvement!
Lastly, an impressive 2015 study found that women applying topical hyaluronic acid had up to a 40% reduction in the depth of wrinkles, up to 96% improvement in skin hydration, and up to 55% improvement in elasticity and skin firmness after eight weeks.
These were just a few of the many studies showing hyaluronic acid’s positive effect on the skin!
Many researchers also noted that hyaluronic acid rarely causes any negative effects, such as skin irritation, which is always important to consider when trying a new skincare ingredient.
How to Incorporate Hyaluronic Acid Into Your Skincare Routine
Nearly everyone can benefit from adding hyaluronic acid to their skincare routine, whether you’re interested in wrinkle prevention, improving your skin’s hydration and elasticity, or minimizing the look of fine lines or texture on the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizers & Face Masks
- Goddess Glow Cream: This fabulous moisturizer is silky smooth and decadent. We’ve included hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, rooibos extract, and more to support plumper, firmer, and glowy skin. Ideal for all skin types!
- Advanced Hyaluronic Mask: Give yourself an ultra-hydrating facial with this gorgeous mask! Hyaluronic acid, vegan DMAE, and vegan MSM give your skin lots of hydration, while olive oil, jojoba oil, rosehip, and evening primrose soothe dry and troubled skin. Suitable for nearly all skin types, including those with sensitive skin or irritated, red, acne-prone skin.
Hyaluronic Acid Toners & Serums
- Moisturizing Hyaluronic Toner: My personal favorite toner! Our Moisturizing Hyaluronic Toner contains hyaluronic acid, organic rooibos, green tea, and white tea extracts to encourage plumper, firmer skin while soothing and purifying the skin with a high number of antioxidants.
- Ageless Beauty Serum: Give your skin an ultra-hydrating boost with this refreshing and lightweight but hydrating serum. Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, marine collagen, and several potent vitamins come together in this serum to pack a punch and promote an overall more youthful complexion.
- Face Firming Serum: Hyaluronic acid is paired with CoQ10 and DMAE to provide an intense combination of ingredients to promote tighter, firmer skin with improved elasticity. Ideal for mature, dry, normal, and combination skin types.
- Flawless Jojoba Serum: Is your skin all over the place? Do you feel like it's dry one day and oily the next? This is the serum for you if your skin can’t make up its mind or you simply prefer a nice matte finish. Don’t let its lightweight feeling fool you! It packs a punch with hyaluronic acid and a host of other supportive skincare ingredients.
Hyaluronic Acid Body Care
- Heavenly Hyaluronic Lotion: Experiencing dry elbows, hands, legs, or more? This decadent body lotion has hyaluronic acid, marine collagen, silk peptides, and more to promote softer skin all over the body. It’s scented with gorgeous essential oils for an overall incredible body care experience.
If your current cleanser is “stripping” your skin of all its amazing natural oils and hydration, consider switching to a hydrating cleanser with hyaluronic acid like our Flawless Jojoba Cleanser to keep your skin supple after cleansing.
Thanks for learning about hyaluronic acid with us today! We were blown away by the research behind hyaluronic acid and couldn’t wait to share them with you.
Stay Hydrated!
Herbalist Natalie & Herbalist Leilah