The last few years have seen the birth of ingredient-led skincare, where the search for the best skincare routine is driven not by product (serum, moisturiser, booster) but by ingredient (niacinamide, retinol, peptides). One of the ingredients consistently popping up on the top trending skincare ingredients list is hyaluronic acid. Data gathering platform Statista ranked it in the global top 10 in 2022, just behind retinol with 21,000 average monthly searches, whilst Boots placed it as the second top search in the UK that same year. So what exactly is it, and why is it so sought after?

What is hyaluronic acid?

If your first thought is ‘acid’ as in burning, melting, corrosive… fear not. Contrary to its intimidating name, hyaluronic acid is actually a naturally occurring substance found in our bodies, particularly in our skin, connective tissues, and eyes. Its primary function? To keep our skin hydrated, plump, and smooth. Sounds better right? Think of it as nature’s own moisture magnet, capable of attracting and holding up to 1000 times its own weight in water.

What does it do to your skin?

Its hype is well deserved for its unparalleled ability to transform skin from lacklustre to luminous. And the best bit is that, for all of us impatient ones, it delivers results instantly – none of this 4-week wait business you get with the likes of retinol and other actives. From the first application your skin receives an instant, intense dose of hydration. The result is dewy, supple and plump skin, with improved texture and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines. And there’s more: as we age, our skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid starts to decline, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Hyaluronic acid found in skincare products can pick up where nature left off, restoring moisture and elasticity to the skin.

Who is this for?

Everyone! It’s gentle enough for all skin types including sensitive skin. Lightweight and non-comedogenic, it won’t clog your pores or cause acne flare-ups. It’s particularly handy if you suffer from dehydrated skin – i.e. skin lacking water – as it’ll bring back moisture to skin AND help keep it there.

How do you incorporate it into your skincare routine?

It’s probably one of the easiest skincare ingredients to add to your skincare routine because a) it plays well with other skincare ingredients, so it’s easy to add to whatever you’re already putting on your skin and b) it’s likely to already be in one of your products – check the ingredients list for sodium hyaluronate. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Neal’s Yard Remedies Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Booster  

An organic, vegan and cruelty-free formula to mix with or layer onto your existing skincare, hyaluronic acid is paired with hibiscus extract to further enhance this booster’s deeply hydrating properties, chosen for its instant and long-term support of the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture. Proven to intensely hydrate skin with just a few drops, 98% of users agree their skin is instantly hydrated (based on a consumer trial with 72 participants using the product twice a day). 

Pai The Impossible Glow

Also certified organic, vegan and cruelty-free, this little glow giver comes in 3 colourways – bronze, champagne and rose gold – and blurs the line between skincare and makeup. The inclusion of hyaluronic acid, sea kelp and lemon fruit water all contribute to boosting skin hydration at the same time as delivering a pearlescent glow thanks to mica.

Evolve Hyaluronic Serum 200

Vegan, organic and award-winning, the product name says it all. And why 200? That’s because there’s 200mg of concentrated low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid per bottle, meaning it penetrates skin deeper, resulting in 84% of people surveyed agreeing that their skin felt firmer.

Evolve Hyaluronic Eye Complex

Where do you find the highest concentration of fine lines? Around the eye area. So pair that serum with the Eye Complex to cool, smooth and de-puff the delicate eye area with this super lightweight rollerball gel. Intensify those results by keeping the product in your fridge.

The Organic Pharmacy Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Containing 0.2% triple molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid, this serum has strong results to boot: clinical results show a 22% increase in skin’s moisture levels after using it twice a day for a month, as well as an impressive 30% reduction in wrinkles.  

Caudalie Vinosource Hydra SOS Serum

If you’re after instant proven results, this serum’s for you: an instrumental test saw 44% increased hydration after just 8 hours, thanks to hyaluronic acid capturing and continuously diffusing water all day long to replenish and soothe skin. Discover the Vinosource range in my review here.

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