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).
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.
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.
Not only can you use vitamin C and hyaluronic acid together, but when you do, they can help create a more effective skincare routine. Each one has skincare benefits, some of which we mentioned, but when combined, they can form a more potent formula that offers increased results.
Should I use Hyaluronic Acid before or after Retinol? You should use hyaluronic acid after retinol. And to maximise the benefits, you should use retinol first and then wait at least 30 minutes before applying hyaluronic acid.
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.
Is Hyaluronic Acid an Effective Moisturizer? HA acts as a humectant, meaning that it draws moisture into itself. There are some caveats to using topical hyaluronic acid as a moisturizer that you need to consider because a barrier repair moisturizer might be a better choice if you are a dry skin type.
Hyaluronic acid should be used in a moisturizer in order for it to work. When you add moisture to the skin, you're giving the HA added water to absorb and hold onto, rather than pulling moisture out of dry skin.
“It helps seal it into your skin and provides a barrier against moisture loss,” she explains. Deasy also advises applying serum to damp – not completely dry – skin for better results.
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.
For instance, a toner would come before a moisturiser. There are exceptions to this rule, but this is a good rule to go by. Hyaluronic acid should be the first serum you apply: To lock in that hydration, hyaluronic acid serums should be the first serum you apply in your skincare routine.
With the fact hyaluronic acid isn't oil soluble it is unable to penetrate any oil meaning it can't reach the area of the skin that it needs to treat. To prevent the hyaluronic acid from simply sitting on top of the oil its best to apply hyaluronic acid serum first followed by layering facial oils and moisturisers.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
When applying these two ingredients separately instead of in a single serum, you'll want to first apply your vitamin C serum. After giving it time to absorb into the skin, hyaluronic acid goes on to help keep the product in the skin while also providing additional moisture to keep the skin hydrated.
Can hyaluronic acid and retinol be used together? Unlike many other skin care ingredients out there, hyaluronic acid and retinol can be used in the same skincare routine. Not only that, but using them together can help to lessen the severity of the side effects that often come with retinol usage.
“Hyaluronic acid is best applied to damp skin, so putting it on shortly after cleansing or after a spray-on essence or toner will give you the most benefit from it,” says Dr. Ciraldo. If other skincare products include hyaluronic acid, you'll want to incorporate them based on the steps of your skincare routine.
Use hyaluronic acid in the evening.
While you can use both ingredients any time you please, experts generally recommend sticking to vitamin C in the daytime. "Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and its effects last for over 24 hours.