Hyaluronic acid is an absolute skin savior and the ultimate anti-aging ingredient. It deeply hydrates and binds moisture to cells, while its lightweight texture makes it equally effective for helping to balance your skin. Derived from plant sources (yes, it’s vegan!) and also naturally present in our skin and joints, it’s ideal for all skin types. It’s no wonder the beauty world is obsessed with the skin-boosting powers of this wildly clever molecule. Read on to learn more about this buzzworthy ingredient.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in our connective tissues, joints, hair, skin and eyes. The primary functions of hyaluronic acid include hydration and lubrication of joints. This genius molecule has the ability to attract, bind and hold moisture in our cells. It actually attaches itself to the water in cells, giving them a plump, bouncy appearance. Hyaluronic acid also pulls moisture from the air to keep your skin moist. You may have heard that hyaluronic acid is composed of both short chain and long chain molecules. Short chain molecules provide instant hydration to flood the outer layers of the skin. Long chain molecules penetrate the skin for deeper hydration. The best hyaluronic acid serums will contain a combination of short and long chain molecules.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
The reason dermatologists, skincare experts and the beauty insiders love hyaluronic acid lies in its uncanny ability to act as a humectant, aka retain moisture in the skin. Lack of moisture is one of the main culprits behind the visible signs of aging skin, including: wrinkles, fine lines, loss of skin elasticity, volume and dehydrated skin. As we age, our natural stores of hyaluronic acid decrease and the skin’s moisture barrier becomes compromised. Adding topical hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine is a simple way to restore and protect this vital barrier and maintain your youthful appearance. This lovely molecule is also fast absorbing, non-irritating and suitable for almost anyone. What’s not to love?
Hyaluronic Acid vs Sodium Hyaluronate
Here’s a little chemistry lesson: Hyaluronic acid has a sister counterpart called sodium hyaluronate. Sodium hyaluronate is the water soluble salt form of hyaluronic acid. It’s slightly more stable than hyaluronic acid and less likely to oxidize (become less effective over time). Another fun fact about sodium hyaluronate is that it naturally has a lower molecular weight than Hyaluronic acid. This means that it can penetrate the skin deeper providing moisture boosting and plumping benefits to multiple layers of the skin. We use both hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate in our formulations.
How to Use It
Hyaluronic acid is found in a wide range of skincare products, including serums, moisturizers, mists and masks. It is also the main ingredient in cosmetic fillers (injectables). It’s important to remember that this brilliant ingredient is just one vital step in your anti-aging routine. Don’t forget to layer your skincare properly! Hyaluronic acid should always be followed with a moisturizer or facial oil to lock in moisture and keep everything bouncy, plump and intensely hydrated.
The Best Hyaluronic Serums
Ready to get started with hyaluronic acid? We’ve got just the thing. One of the simplest and most effective ways to start incorporating this powerful ingredient into your routine is with serums. Often serums contain molecules that are much smaller than those found in moisturizers, oils or balms, so the active ingredients can penetrate deeper into the skin. Twice a day, after cleansing, apply a few drops of our Hyaluronic Sea Serum to your face. Our bestselling serum combines two molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, seaweed and snow mushroom (all incredible humectants) to optimize moisture levels, keeping skin hydrated, plump and dewy any time of day. It’s clinically proven to instantly increase hydration and smooth the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet* while drawing water-based moisture to the skin like a magnet. Our skin just drinks it up, and we can really see the difference in how plump and bouncy it looks and feels afterward.
For the other 91% of your skin–aka your body–there’s our Hyaluronic Body Serum. This ultra-hydrating full body treatment is clinically proven to instantly increase hydration by 161%.* It delivers all of the hydrating properties of our hyaluronic facial serum but is formulated specifically for the skin on your body. This lightweight, fast-absorbing serum improves the skin’s natural moisture barrier for visibly healthy, smooth skin everywhere. Packed with 5 molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, aloe, vegan peptides and nutrient-dense seaweed, this full body treatment delivers 24 hours of non-stop hydration. Our body serum is formulated with small, medium, and large weights of hyaluronic acid to deliver multi-surface layer hydration. The larger molecules sit closer to the skin’s surface to attract water, while medium-sized molecules rejuvenate and visibly plump the skin. The smallest sizes penetrate the skin instantly for deep hydration. The results? Soft, smooth, ultra-hydrated skin.
*Based on a third-party clinical study after one use.
One thing to note: While hyaluronic acid is a humectant (it draws water to the skin) it’s not necessarily a replacement for a moisturizer. Moisturizers work to seal the hydration into skin. In other words, layer your hyaluronic serum under a moisturizer to maximize your skincare results.