In the world of skincare, few ingredients get the same level of adoration as hyaluronic acid—a powerhouse hydrating component found in some of the best-selling moisturizing creams, serums, and lotions. If you've yet to weave it into your skincare routine, consider this your sign to start.

The benefits of a good moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid are wide-reaching. Whether you're looking to combat dry skin, fine lines, or you simply want your skin to appear plump and dewy—it can do it all.

Because of the way hyaluronic acid works, it’s a staple for all skin types—dry, oily, sensitive, blemish-prone. But, to truly appreciate the hydrating potential of this hero ingredient, we need to delve into the science behind how it works.

What Is the Science Behind Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid (HA), sometimes referred to as sodium hyaluronate, appears frequently on the ingredient lists of your favorite skincare products. But what exactly is it? 

Well, it's not an acid in the way you might think, like glycolic or salicylic acids. No, hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule, a humectant that our bodies naturally produce, playing a pivotal role in maintaining hydration levels and encouraging elasticity within our skin.

When applied topically in the form of a hyaluronic acid serum or lotion, it acts as a moisture magnet, attracting water to the skin and helping it look and feel smoother and softer. But here's where it becomes really remarkable—it can retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water. So, when hyaluronic acid penetrates the skin, it creates a barrier, allowing for long-lasting hydration that you can truly feel.

In addition to being a hydrating hero, hyaluronic acid works synergistically with other skincare essentials like niacinamide, retinol, and peptides. For instance, vitamin C—an antioxidant powerhouse—works hand in hand with hyaluronic acid, helping to brighten the complexion while the latter keeps the skin nourished and hydrated. 

Retinol, lauded for its skin-smoothing properties, pairs beautifully with hyaluronic acid, which helps counteract any potential dryness caused by this powerful vitamin A derivative. 

Then there's niacinamide and peptides—both renowned for their ability to support the skin's barrier, improve skin texture, and diminish the visible signs of aging. You can see why hyaluronic acid is the ultimate team player in any skincare routine.

Why Is Moisturizing Important?

Understanding the role of the skin barrier is crucial in appreciating the importance of a moisturizer, particularly one that includes hyaluronic acid. The skin barrier is essentially your skin’s shield—its first line of defense against environmental aggressors like UV rays and pollutants. 

It's composed of lipids, ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids, all working together to protect the skin from dehydration, allergens, and potential irritants.

A strong skin barrier also aids in keeping fine lines at bay, as it helps retain moisture in the skin, keeping it plump and firm. When your skin barrier is well-hydrated, it can function as nature intended—protecting you from the outside world, sealing hydration in, and ensuring your skin looks radiant. This is why moisturizing every day is so important.

5 Reasons To Use Moisturizer With Hyaluronic Acid

Now that you understand what hyaluronic acid is and why moisturizing daily is so important, you’re probably starting to see how a moisturizer formulated with HA could be the answer to all of your complexion woes. But to really drill down on it, let’s walk through our top reasons why you might want to use a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid in it.

1. Hydration and Plumpness

As we navigate our journey around the sun, our skin experiences changes like loss of elasticity and the appearance of fine lines. Dry skin can really exacerbate these concerns, turning your youthful-looking, plump skin into lined, parched-looking skin. 

When your skin cells aren’t getting the moisture they need, they shrink. This makes your skin appear less plump and firm. When it comes to giving your skin that much-needed hydration and plumpness, hyaluronic acid products can really help. Hyaluronic acid’s stellar ability to attract and hold onto 1,000 times its weight in moisture makes it an indispensable part of any skincare routine. 

It works tirelessly—day or night—to ensure your skin remains hydrated, leading to a more nourished, dewy appearance by plumping your skin up to its most vibrant, youthful-looking glory.

2. Combats Signs of Aging

Hyaluronic acid is not only a hydration hero, but also an age-fighting ally when it’s part of the formulation of your face cream. With its ability to replenish moisture that is crucial to having younger-looking, supple skin, it can play a key role in reducing the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. 

The logic is simple—well-hydrated skin appears smooth, plump, and radiant. By continually attracting and locking in moisture, hyaluronic acid helps to maintain your skin's firmness and elasticity—two things that naturally decrease as we age. 

It's like your skin's own personal time machine. To get your skin glowing day after day, use The SUPER Hydrator. This lightweight daily moisturizer provides intense hydration and increased bounce using hyaluronic acid and other nourishing ingredients such as peptides, shea butter, and organic argan oil.

3. Safe for All Skin Types

Whether your skin is dry, sensitive, or oily skin, hyaluronic acid is your skin’s best friend. The skin around our eyes is more sensitive than the rest of our faces, and hyaluronic acid is safe to use here, too. If you want a hydro boost from an eye treatment that’s expertly formulated with hyaluronic acid to target oxidative stress and free-radical damage, look no further than our The RETURN Eye Concentrate.

While other eye creams or treatments may lead to breakouts and blemishes, especially on the sensitive skin around your eyes, The RETURN Eye Concentrate is cruelty-free, fragrance-free and formulated without parabens or sulfates. 

This can help deliver visibly lifted, smoothed, and plumper skin with ease thanks to easily absorbed short-chain hyaluronic acid molecules. It also takes advantage of the hydrating abilities of ingredients such as glycerin, peptides, and vitamin C.

One of the most appealing aspects of hyaluronic acid is its compatibility with different skin types. It's incredibly gentle and doesn't strip the skin of its natural oils, so even those with sensitive or blemish-prone skin can reap its benefits. This is due in part to its ability to support moisture within cells, ensuring they're not deprived or overloaded.

In other words, hyaluronic acid doesn't discriminate—it showers every type of skin with love, care, and, most importantly, hydration. 

4. Supports the Effectiveness of Other Skincare Ingredients

When it comes to playing nicely with others, hyaluronic acid tops the charts. It's the type of ingredient that other ingredients love to be around, enhancing their performance by giving your skin everything it needs on a basic level. 

That way, any products you use in addition to your hyaluronic acid moisturizer can address your concerns rather than only half-working because you’re fighting an uphill battle with dry or dehydrated skin.

In addition to a hyaluronic acid-inclusive day or night moisturizer like TheSUPER Hydrator, using a cleanser that encourages hydration, like The MANTLE Skin Conditioning Wash, can help your skin find balance. 

The MANTLE melts away water and oil-soluble debris while nourishing your skin with stable formulations of vitamin C and vitamin E. It’s a great way to start your skincare routine with a clean slate and fresh, receptive skin that doesn’t feel stripped or tight.

5. Encourages Skin Barrier Function

In addition to its moisture-locking abilities, HA plays an important role in the skin’s natural wound healing and tissue repair processes. This makes it an excellent component of post-procedure skincare routines, or for those simply dealing with compromised skin barriers.

Hyaluronic acid can help encourage the skin’s natural production of collagen, the main protein in the skin responsible for its elasticity and firmness. In other words, when you opt for a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, you're not just selecting a product for the hydration benefits—you're also choosing a product that supports the skin, encourages healing, and supports overall skin integrity. 

Finish off your skincare routine rich in the best hyaluronic acid products with a protective sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and you’re ready to glow.

Putting the HA in HAppy Skin

In the realm of skincare, hyaluronic acid has steadily proven itself to be more than just another buzzword. It's an ingredient that delivers—bringing hydration, plumpness, anti-aging benefits, and so much more to the table. It can support the efficacy of other ingredients and encourage overall healthier-looking skin, making it an essential player in the skincare game.

The next time you're on the hunt for a new moisturizer, don't forget to check the ingredients list for this hydrating heavyweight. Hyaluronic acid is more than a trend—it's a skincare staple that caters to all skin types, and its inclusion in your routine is a strategic move. With U Beauty, it’s not just about hydration— it’s about being on the forefront of skincare innovation so that your beauty routine is never outdated

Sources:

Hyaluronic Acid | National Library of Medicine

Adverse Effects of Retinoids | National Library of Medicine

Skin Barrier Function | National Library of Medicine

Aging Changes in Skin | Medline Plus