When to Apply Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare Routine – Hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular skincare ingredients, and for good reason. It helps keep your skin hydrated, plump, and smooth. It’s gentle, suitable for most skin types, and pairs well with other products. But despite its benefits, many people are still using it incorrectly, like applying it on dry skin or forgetting to seal it in with moisturizer. These small mistakes can reduce its effectiveness or even cause dryness. Follow these tips to better understand when and how to apply hyaluronic acid, so you can get the best results!
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid is a hydration hero. It’s naturally found in the skin and works to hold water, keeping your skin hydrated and supple. It can even hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.
Using hyaluronic acid regularly in your skincare routine offers several benefits, including:
- Helping skin stay moisturized.
- Giving the skin a fuller, plumper look that minimizes fine lines and wrinkles.
- Strengthening the skin’s protective barrier to guard against dryness and irritation.
- Enhancing skin texture and elasticity.
Another great advantage of hyaluronic acid over other ingredients is its compatibility with almost all skin types, including dry, oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. It provides lightweight hydration without clogging pores or causing irritation.
Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid Twice in A Day?
Yes, hyaluronic acid can be used both in the day and night. Hyaluronic acid is generally gentle enough to be used twice every day. With consistent use, your skin will become more hydrated and look plumper over time.
Unlike retinol, AHAs/BHAs, vitamin C, and other harsh active ingredients, hyaluronic acid is less likely to cause dryness and irritation. In fact, it can help to reduce the risk of irritation from ingredients like retinol.
When to Apply Hyaluronic Acid?
While many people suggest applying hyaluronic acid on damp skin to get better hydration, this isn’t actually necessary. The common belief is that if you apply hyaluronic acid to dry skin, it will pull water from deep inside your skin and make it drier. But that’s not how it really works. In fact, the idea that it must be applied on damp skin hasn’t been scientifically proven.
Hyaluronic acid doesn’t pull water from your skin like a magnet. Instead, it holds onto water that’s already nearby, kind of like a sponge soaking up moisture. Since most serums already contain a lot of water, hyaluronic acid can easily grab onto that water and help hydrate your skin. This means hyaluronic acid works the same whether applied on dry or damp skin.
Do You Need Moisturizer After Hyaluronic Acid?
Absolutely. After applying hyaluronic acid serum in your skincare routine, you have to seal in the hydration with moisturizer. Without moisturizer, all that hydration you just gave your skin will not last long. Moisturizer acts as a barrier to lock in hydration, and without it hydration can evaporate from your skin quickly.
Hyaluronic acid is a gentle, but powerful hydration that you can use morning and night. The steps are simple: apply hyaluronic acid after cleansing, wait for it to absorb, and seal in all that hydration with a good moisturizer. Keep it consistent, and you’ll get plumper, smoother, and more radiant skin in no time!
Sources:
- https://formulachemistry.com/when-to-apply-hyaluronic-acid-in-skincare-routine.
- https://uk.typology.com/library/misconception-hyaluronic-acid-only-works-on-damp-skin.
