Deep Dive: Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in the skin. It helps to bind water to collagen, making your skin appear plumper, bouncier, dewier, and more hydrated. In fact, Hyaluronic Acid can hold over 6,000 times its weight in water, making it a powerful humectant (something that reduces the loss of moisture) in skincare. While Hyaluronic Acid is naturally produced by your body, many factors — including diet and genetics — determine how much of it is actually working for your skin.

As you get older, your body naturally produces less collagen and Hyaluronic Acid, which accounts for your skin's loss of elasticity and bounciness. That's where Hyaluronic Acid in skincare comes in. When suspended in the right formulation, Hyaluronic Acid has a wide variety of skincare benefits, including hydration, anti-inflammaging, plumping and smoothing (including wrinkle reduction).

Unlike other ingredients with "acid" in their names, Hyaluronic Acid actually doesn't strip your skin — or even mildly exfoliate it, for that matter. It's an ingredient that can be used by all skin types, multiple times a day, if necessary. You can apply it in a targeted method on dry spots or all over your face for glow and hydration. Even oily skin types can use it without fear of grease