Is hyaluronic acid an ingredient you want to see on the back of your product’s label?

We know ingredient lists and labels can sometimes be tough to decipher. So we’ve dedicated this column to shedding a little light on certain ingredients listed on our self-care products. In our mission to promote a healthy skin, lifestyle & world, we believe that the first step is advocating for educated, conscious consumption – to practice self-love by knowing exactly what you’re putting in your body AND on your body.

Always remember when looking at an ingredient list:

• The main ingredient is first, and then it goes down the list
• If it sounds like something from a science experiment, it’s probably not good for you
• As a general rule: the fewer ingredients, the better
  
  

Hyaluronic Acid

Synonym(s): Hyaluronan, Hyaluronic acid, Hyalobarrier gel, Chlamyhyaluronic acid, Mucoitin, Sepracoat

My main rule: Steering clear from ingredients that sound like a science experiment is a rule I generally abide by. But sometimes, ingredients may have scientific sounding names even though they are in fact a naturally occurring substance. Hyaluronic acid (HA), to me, is one of those ingredients. Surely anything with ‘acid’ can’t be good for the skin. Well, rest assured, while it might sound very technical, it’s actually completely natural.

HA is an industry favorite among skincare users. Its praise can’t be sung high enough! But I was still skeptical, and wondered what “the skinny” is on HA? Are there long term side effects? And if it’s truly a one-stop hydration station, why does it sometimes cause dry skin?

What is hyaluronic acid?

HA is a molecule found in many areas of our body tissue, predominately clustering around the skin and joint regions. Its job is to draw in and retain fluid, which lubricates those joints and moistens the skin. However, over time our body’s natural stores of HA become depleted, which is why it’s so attractive for products geared towards mature skin.

Where is hyaluronic acid found?

Due to its potent water-drawing action, HA is essential for keeping the skin looking young & youthful. It’s no wonder HA has become widely distributed as a topical applicant, cosmetic filler injection, medication and dietary supplement. But increasing your HA reserves is also possible through your diet. Both organ meats and bone broths are extremely rich sources of HA. And because HA is found in the body, the body is able to break it down quite well, so it is likely to have no long-term adverse effects.

Is hyaluronic acid hydrating or drying?

In your skincare products, HA is a humectant, which is a skin conditioning ingredient you’ll find in most moisturizers. The ability of a humectant is that it can bind water to the surface of the skin. In humid climates, humectants attract water from the air around us – however in drier climates, especially when the air humidity is low, they’ll end up drawing water from layers beneath skin. That is why for some, using HA may cause the skin to become taut & dry. Thus it’s important to keep the skin hydrated when using HA in dry climates. Applying HA to already damp skin and following it up with a moisturizer will help seal in additional moisture.

The verdict

Hyaluronic acid isn’t necessarily a “magical potion” for youthful-looking skin. It simply acts to draw in and retain water in the skin, giving it a plump look & feel. As our natural reserves will lower as we age, dietary consumption is a low-key but high quality method that can ensure the body stays abundant in hyaluronic acid.

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in May 2017 and was updated in October 2019 to improve formatting.