Wrinkles Beware: Hyaluronic Acid is the Secret to Youthful, Dewy Skin

Hyaluronic acid doesn’t sound like something you should be putting on your face, so why are so many beauty bloggers and skincare influencers touting the use of this molecule? Hyaluronic acid isn’t just a beauty buzzword. It’s a natural sugar that's produced by your body. It’s also the key to maintaining a smooth, youthful, dewy complexion. 

Its primary function is retaining water and keeping your tissues well-lubricated and moist. These molecules can hold a thousand times their weight in water. They can be found in your skin, eyes, and connective tissues. Hyaluronic acid has many uses — many people take it orally as a supplement, but it is also used in eye drops and injections. Most commonly, hyaluronic acid is applied topically in serums, moisturizers, and eye creams.

As you age, your body produces less and less hyaluronic acid naturally, causing the skin to wrinkle due to its decreased ability to retain moisture. A hyaluronic supplement or topical treatment can reduce the appearance of these wrinkles by replacing what you have lost. Some studies show that using a topical hyaluronic acid for just eight weeks can reduce the depth of wrinkles by up to 40%. 

As a preventative anti-aging measure, using a hyaluronic acid before wrinkles begin to show can encourage slower natural loss over time while keeping skin moisturized and protected. Since it has the ability to hold so much moisture, it is effective at keeping skin dewy throughout the day, no matter your environment.

Don't worry about pairing hyaluronic acid with other beauty products; it plays well with most other active ingredients — with the exception of acids with low pH levels such as glycolic acid. These can render your hyaluronic acid ineffective. Allergic reactions to hyaluronic acid are very rare since it is a substance made naturally within the body.

The best time to use a hyaluronic acid is in the morning after washing your face. Putting it on clean skin ensures that it is absorbed and can deliver moisture into the dermis. By applying in the morning, you lock in dewiness all day. Consider rolling the product onto your face with a roller or pressing it into your skin with your fingertips.