Serums. 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.
“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.”
Dr Ana Mansouri, aesthetic doctor at Kat & Co explains: “Hyaluronic acid-based serums benefit from application on slightly damp skin straight after cleansing/toning as they draw in moisture like a sponge.” However, not allowing a few seconds for the serum to absorb afterwards could jeopardise the rest of your routine.
Using a moisturizer is an essential step after applying hyaluronic acid. The moisturizer will help seal hydration into the skin and help hyaluronic acid absorb correctly if the air around you is dry.
In that case, you need to apply it to moist skin – which is why you should mist first and then apply a hyaluronic acid treatment afterwards.
Do not strain your knee joint for two days after receiving this medicine. Avoid activities such as jogging, soccer, tennis, heavy lifting, or standing on your feet for a long time. Temporary pain or swelling in the knee joint may occur after receiving hyaluronic acid injection.
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.
If applied to dry skin, your hyaluronic will draw moisture from its nearest source—your glowy complexion! —and leave it drier than when you started. Skin doesn't have to be soaking wet to avoid this phenomenon, slightly lightly misted is perfect.
If you're using a hyaluronic acid serum, use it after you wash your face with cleanser and/or toner. 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.
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.
This is a common question that I am asked in the treatment room. Some clients like to wait between applications but in actual fact, a slightly moist skin will absorb serums and skincare products much more effectively. The answer is straight away. You do not need to wait any length of time to apply your moisturiser.
Always make sure to apply your serum on ahead of your moisturiser. If you swap the steps, the ingredients in your serum won't be able to penetrate the layer of your moisturiser — and then there's no use in using it! Give your serum about five minutes to soak into the skin before moving on.
Hyaluronic acid is best used under a cream or moisturizer to trap in the water-binding effects of the acid. The molecule needs water in order for it to activate. Without any moisture on the surface of your skin (or from the air), the molecule will pull water deep from within the skin instead, leading to dehydration.
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.
"Hyaluronic acid is safe and beneficial to use everyday for maintaining skin hydration," says Dr. Russak. You just need to make sure you're applying it correctly. As a rule, you want to apply your hyaluronic acid product to clean, damp skin, and the lock it in with a moisturizer and face oil.
Does Hyaluronic Acid Have Any Side Effects to Note? 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 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."
Serum and Moisturizer: 1 minute
Goldenberg's go-to recommendation for timing between serums and moisturizers is about one minute. This wait has the same reasoning: Sixty seconds — give or take — gives each product a moment to delve into your pores.
In most cases, it makes sense to apply serum before moisturizer. This is because serum is usually more lightweight, whereas moisturizer tends to be thicker. Applying serum first can also give the skin more opportunity to absorb the active ingredients. In many skin care routines, moisturizer is the last step.
However, Vivian Bucay, a dermatologist in San Antonio, does say that it does take time for products to be fully absorbed into your skin. “It typically takes around 30 minutes for products to be absorbed, meaning, that if something is washed off before 30 minutes, it would need to be reapplied,” she says.
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.
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.
When should I use hyaluronic acid? While some skincare ingredients, like retinol, are best used at night and others, like vitamin C, work their magic in the daytime, hyaluronic acid can be used both morning and night. “I recommend use of an HA serum up to twice daily, depending on your skin's needs,” says Abdulla.