Ingredient Spotlight | Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a hydrating superstar, and unlike other trendy skincare ingredients, it's here to stay. It's a staple in any well-rounded skincare routine and boosts the hydration power of a formulation. Here's why hyaluronic acid is so popular and how you can use it to maximise its benefits.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar protein naturally found in the skin. It helps to bind water to collagen within the skin, trapping it within our skin's layers so that our complexion looks softer and more dewy. Think of hyaluronic acid as the filling in a good sandwich: it binds to the collagen on one side and the water molecules on the other side, drawing the two structures together for radiant skin. As we age, our body stops producing as much collagen and hyaluronic acid. This means that our skin becomes less supple and more easily dehydrated. Luckily, topical applications of hyaluronic acid can boost our skin's water content.

What does hyaluronic acid do for skin?

Hyaluronic acid can hold 1000 times its weight in water, which means it is the most powerful natural moisturising ingredient in skincare right now. In skincare formulations, hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means that it draws moisture from its surroundings. This ability means that it's often found in serums, moisturisers and other leave-on skincare products to boost hydration in the skin and revitalise the skin's outer layers to instantly improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

How to use hyaluronic acid in your skincare routine

First off, look for 'hyaluronic acid' or 'sodium hyaluronate' on the ingredients label to make sure that you're getting what's advertised. Hyaluronic acid is gentle and suitable for all skin types, which means that you can easily find a hyaluronic acid product to suit your skin. To maximise its benefits, use a serum that uses hyaluronic acid as its main ingredient like our Think HA, which contains multiple forms of hyaluronic acid to deliver an extremely potent moisture hit.