Hyaluronic acid is considered a hydration hero in the skincare world, and for good reason. This molecule is part of your skin’s own natural moisturising system and is vital for maintaining water balance in the skin. 

Don’t let the ‘acid’ in its name fool you. Hyaluronic acid isn’t a chemical exfoliator like AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) or salicylic acid. It’s actually a type of sugar (a polysaccharide, to get technical, or a glycosaminoglycan to get really technical) that attracts and locks in water, making it a must-have for anyone craving happy, hydrated skin.

You may have heard that hyaluronic acid can bind around 1,000 times its weight in water, and while that particular anecdote turns out to be a myth,¹ there’s no denying that hyaluronic acid is really, really good at holding onto water.

Unfortunately, time takes its toll on hyaluronic acid in the body. As we age, our skin naturally makes less hyaluronic acid, and the molecules it does make become more fragmented and less effective². And it gets even worse if you spend a lot of time in the sun! Photoaged skin (skin that’s seen more UV rays than it would have liked) not only has less hyaluronic acid, but the receptors that hold hyaluronic acid in place or help it move to where it’s needed also decrease in number, meaning less structure, support and hydration².

It’s not just time working against you, either. Pollution, stress, and even blue light from your phone can cause gradual damage known as oxidative stress,^3,4 breaking down your skin’s hyaluronic acid and leaving it thirstier than ever.

Hyaluronic acid in your skincare acts like a magnet for moisture. As a humectant that sits in the top layers of your skin, it pulls in water, instantly boosting hydration and plumpness³. It’s made of long molecules with lots of good hydrogen bonding groups, which just means it can surround itself with water molecules, like beads of dew on a strand of spider’s silk.

The best part is that it plays well with other hydrating ingredients. Pair hyaluronic acid with glycerin or sodium PCA, two other natural parts of the skin’s moisture system, and you get multilayered hydration. Hyaluronic acid stays at the surface level, while glycerin and sodium PCA work at a deeper level to keep your skin feeling soft, fresh, and oh-so-supple all the way through.

Hyaluronic acid is a multitasker for all skin types that’s been shown in clinical studies to significantly increase skin hydration and elasticity (i.e. its ability to bounce back after stretching)⁵. Hyaluronic acid can also help refresh and rejuvenate sun damaged skin, smoothing out dry, rough patches and leaving your complexion looking renewed and radiant³. If you want to give your skin an extra boost of hydration, adding hyaluronic acid to your routine is a no-brainer.

Getting the best result for your skin, whether that means revealing younger-looking skin with our Elucent Age Defying range or evening out skin tone with Elucent Bright + Balanced, is all about smart skincare. When it comes to hyaluronic acid, there’s no ‘wrong’ way to incorporate it—just go with what feels good with your skin.

Some blogs say you must apply hyaluronic acid to damp or wet skin or else risk pulling water out of deeper layers, but don’t stress. Most hydrating moisturisers and serums are water-based, so hyaluronic acid is delivered ‘pre-hydrated’ to your skin. Plus, if you’re pairing hyaluronic acid with exfoliants like AHAs, applying it to dry skin is recommended to reduce the risk of stinging.

Elucent takes the guesswork out of your skincare routine by including a carefully formulated blend of moisturisers, vitamins/antioxidants and other special ingredients, so your bathroom shelf doesn’t need to look like a chemist’s lab cluttered with single-purpose serums and vials. Almost all of our new Elucent formulations contain hyaluronic acid,* so whether you’re looking for a hydrating facial cleanser, eye cream, moisturiser or serum (or all the above), Elucent has you covered.