Topical hyaluronic acid has been a cosmetic workhorse for years because of its proven benefits in helping to keep skin hydrated, moisturised and supple. The carbohydrate (sugar) occurs naturally in your body and is found in abundance in your eyes, connective tissue and skin. It can hold up to 1 000 times its own weight in water, which is why hyaluronic acid is often referred to as a ‘moisturising powerhouse’. When used an ingredient in skin care products, hyaluronic acid – or HA as the derms refer to it – acts as a humectant. This means it pulls water from the atmosphere to the upper layers of your skin, quite like a sponge. Increasing the water content in your skin will help it look fresh and dewy. It will also help filling out fine lines and wrinkles.

Make hyaluronic acid work for you

If your skin is dehydrated and needs a thirst-quenching hydration boost, reach for Apivita’s Aqua Beelicious Refreshing Hydrating Booster. This water-gel offers a burst of long-lasting hydration and freshness, even in extreme environmental conditions. Apivita designed this multi-purpose booster with super-hydrating ingredients to quench dehydrated skin and replenish the moisture reserves.

When used regularly, a hyaluronic acid serum will also help you achieve soft, smooth and supple skin because of the humectant effect. For immediate and long-term hydration, opt for Skin Proud’s Smooth Talk 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum. It will help increase your skin’s hydration levels by up to 40% in 30 minutes and will keep your skin continually hydrated for up to 12 hours.

Why size matters

What most people don’t realise is that hyaluronic acid comes in various molecular sizes. Larger molecules stay on skin’s surface, protecting the barrier and giving skin a ‘dewy’ look. The smaller molecules (which are in fact big on benefits) penetrate deeper into the skin to deliver sustained hydration.

Erborian’s Bamboo Super Serum is enriched with both low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acids, which work together to deliver immediate and long-term results. While the high molecular weight (large) molecules deliver the most visible results, their life span is shorter than the low molecular weight (smaller) molecules. Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid will provide your skin with intense moisture and long-term hydration deep within the epidermis.

Hyaluronic acid is 100% safe and you would definitely benefit from an HA-based beauty regimen. So don’t be put off by the word ‘acid’ in hyaluronic acid. It is not the type of acid that burns (like glycolic acid which is used for exfoliation), but rather plays a vital role in stimulating collagen and elastin production. These essential proteins are the building blocks of firm, youthful-looking skin.