Generally, though, you can safely use hyaluronic acid both morning and night.
“Your products should absorb pretty quickly, around 30 to 60 seconds,” says Dr. Palep. “If it is taking a longer time, that means that the quality may not be good or you're not laying it in the right order with the other things you're using.”
Don't dry your face after cleansing or toning. Apply a couple of drops of hyaluronic acid serum to your damp face and rub in. Wait a moment for it to absorb, and then continue with the rest of your skincare regimen.
It can take up to 2-weeks for the Hyaluronic Acid Filler to completely set in.
According to the experts, the hero ingredient actually needs to be applied to damp skin in order to work. In fact, applying it to a dry face can have the opposite effect of what is intended, and actually leave skin more dehydrated. "Hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet," says Allies of Skin founder Nicolas Travis.
Hyaluronic Acid
To prevent this, one must apply Hyaluronic acid-based products on damp skin and wait for a minute for the product to settle later. Sublime's verdict: Hyaluronic acid-based products to be applied on damp skin and let it absorb for a minute before layering.
“Hyaluronic acid plays well with most ingredients, while caution must be taken when using retinol in combination with alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, and some types of vitamin C.” Linkner echoes the tip about avoiding vitamin C.
They'll Irritate Your Skin
For instance, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), such as Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid, and Synthetic Retinol are a pair that can easily cause irritation. Both ingredients are thought to have a positive impact on fine lines and wrinkles, but Synthetic Retinol on its own is harsh for most.
Hyaluronic acid can dry out the skin as it draws moisture from its surroundings and leaves skin exposed if the moisture is not sealed in.
With all the fancy HA formulations on the market now (serums, pills, masks, and so much more), it can be tempting to adopt a “more the merrier” mentality. However, some research has shown that overuse of hyaluronic acid can result in redness and inflammation.
Hyaluronic acid can be taken orally or applied topically to the skin. Evidence suggests that hyaluronic acid has higher bioavailability when ingested orally.
Hyaluronic acid is generally safe for all skin types and doesn't typically lead to any adverse reactions when applied topically, Marchbein says. “Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance in our skin, and as a result one should not expect any problems,” Dr. Rothaus says.
The way you want to use hyaluronic acid in a skincare routine is to start by cleansing your face with a nice simple cleanser. And then, with slightly damp skin or even slightly wet skin, apply the hyaluronic acid serum to your face followed by a moisturizer and sunscreen (during the day).
“If you put hyaluronic acid on top of a sunscreen or a moisturizer, it's not going to work,” Dr. Talakoub says. “It's got to sit on that top layer of your skin to hold the moisture in so it doesn't evaporate from your skin barrier.”
Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production. They have several benefits that can work in tandem for better results, though patients need to be careful with the exact formulations they use.
Hyaluronic acid by itself is non-comedogenic (doesn't clog pores), but you should be careful when choosing a hyaluronic acid serum that the ingredient list doesn't contain any sneaky pore-clogging ingredients you're not expecting.
A hyaluronic acid serum involves a slightly different routine. After cleansing, and while your skin is still damp, press a couple of drops into your face with the palms of your hands. Don't forget to apply a moisturizer immediately afterward to seal in all that hydration.
Yes, you can use hyaluronic acid with retinol together and it's perfectly safe to do so. In fact, using hyaluronic acid with retinol has synergistic effect on your skin because they complement each other.
"You're trapping the moisture on your skin and getting it to sink in rather than letting it evaporate. If you wait until it's dry, you've missed your chance to lock it in," she explains. And PS: Kramer notes that this moisturizing golden rule applies to the rest of your bod, too.
Leave-on acids (follow instructions or wait 20 minutes)
“I recommend waiting 20-30 minutes to ensure the skin is dry and to minimise inadvertent interactions,” she says.
Most people who take hyaluronic acid every day in the right dosage see results (such as the improvement of skin elasticity and reduction of skin roughness) in 4-8 weeks. However, everybody is different and some may see results in as little as 2-4 weeks.
The ingredient needs to be used in conjunction with other moisturizers; hyaluronic acid alone will not provide the necessary hydration skin needs. "It's really meant as a temporary hydrator, when applied to damp skin," Dr. Shamban says. "If your skin is already dry, you could actually be doing more harm than good."
However, Hyaluronic Acid itself, when applied topically, is too large a molecule (3,000nm) to pass through the skin where intercellular space is only 15-50nm, and can not be absorbed by or penetrate the skin - it's like trying to get a basket ball through the eye of a needle.
Hyaluronic acid with smaller molecular weight is especially great for your under-eye area because they are able to go deeper into your skin, replacing the hydration in the thin and delicate skin under the eyes.