Hydrated & happy: unpacking Hyaluronic Acid for skin

Hyaluronic acid benefits the skin in more ways than one. Here's how this ingredient can support your best skin.

Hydrates the skin

Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. This powerful ability to attract and bind water means it's highly effective at hydrating the skin.

Helps soften fine lines and wrinkles

Hyaluronic acid can help soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles by replenishing skin hydration and supporting overall skin health. One study found that participants who used a wrinkle cream containing hyaluronic acid daily over three months experienced decreased wrinkle depth.

Improves skin elasticity and firmness

Hyaluronic acid can also contribute to the look of plump, youthful-looking skin. Research shows that applying hyaluronic acid to the skin daily for eight weeks improved skin elasticity (skin's ability to "bounce back" after being stretched) and firmness.

Enhances skin texture

This superstar ingredient can help your skin look and feel softer and smoother. One study found that those who used a hyaluronic acid serum for 12 weeks saw significant improvements in skin texture, with participants noting their skin appeared more radiant and looked and felt smoother. All subjects reported an overall improvement in their skin's appearance.

Follow these step-by-step instructions on how to use hyaluronic acid, along with product recommendations, to support the best results.

1. Cleanse

The first step in your skincare routine? Cleansing to remove any dirt, makeup, dead skin or oils that have built up on your skin's surface throughout the day (or night). Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser With Hyaluronic Acid gently and thoroughly cleanses the skin while boosting hydration, using innovative technology that preserves the skin's moisture barrier.

The fragrance-free hydrating gel facial cleanser has been clinically tested to be gentle on even the most sensitive skin, including eczema-prone and acne-prone skin.

To use, wet your face and hands with lukewarm water. Then, pump the cleanser into your hands and lather, massaging the cleanser into your skin with gentle, circular motions. Rinse and pat dry with a soft, clean towel.

2. Apply Hyaluronic Acid serum

Serums contain concentrated active ingredients, delivering a potent dose of skin-loving molecules to the skin. Apply a few drops of hyaluronic acid serum to your hands and gently massage it into freshly cleansed skin. Hyaluronic acid can improve ingredient penetration and decrease the risk of irritation, so you may want to consider layering other ingredients, such as vitamin C serum or retinol, to help boost skin benefits.

3. Moisturize

After your serum (or serums), seal in the hydration with a hyaluronic acid moisturizer. Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Water Gel With Hyaluronic Acid is an oil-free, non-comedogenic formula that won't clog pores. It's clinically proven to help strengthen the skin's moisture barrier and instantly quenches dry skin for a healthy-looking glow.

Apply it to your face and neck — but don't stop there. You can use hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin on your body, too! Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream has a non-greasy formula to instantly hydrate thirsty skin. And don't forget about your lips. Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Lip Oil is formulated with purified hyaluronic acid, designed to hydrate and smooth lips for a supple, fuller-looking pout.

4. Apply sunscreen

In the morning, apply sunscreen as your final step to protect against ultraviolet damage. Choose a non-greasy, fragrance-free formula like Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer SPF 50, which combines hydrating hyaluronic acid and broad-spectrum SPF 50 Helioplex® sunscreen.

This formula is ultra-lightweight and invisible on all skin tones, and it dries quickly and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. Apply generously and evenly 15 minutes before going outside, and reapply at least every two hours.

You can find hyaluronic acid in various types of skincare products.

Serums

Serums are typically lightweight, fast-absorbing and ideal for layering. They're meant to be applied to the skin right after cleansing.

Creams and moisturizers

These products are richer and thicker than serums, providing a protective barrier that helps reduce transepidermal water loss.

Masks and sheet masks

Hyaluronic acid masks can support your skincare routine by offering intense hydration and plumping effects. In general, sheet masks' effects tend to be fast-acting but temporary, so use them alongside your dedicated skincare products for best results.

Injectables

You can also find hyaluronic acid in fillers, which skincare professionals inject into the skin to plump the skin and smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

Your skin's secret weapon

When choosing hyaluronic acid skincare products, always take your skin type (e.g., oily, dry or sensitive) and specific concerns (e.g., fine lines, wrinkles or dryness) into account to find what works best for you.

In general, hyaluronic acid does an excellent job of hydrating and plumping the skin, softening the look of fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin elasticity and firmness, and smoothing and softening your skin. Choosing the right hyaluronic acid products for your skin type and concerns — and applying them in the right order — can go a long way toward ensuring you get the most out of this powerhouse ingredient.