When it comes to listing ingredients for keeping skin hydrated, hyaluronic acid frequently gets the top spot on must-have lists. Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring substance in the skin — a group of carbohydrates that help maintain its elasticity.

It’s what’s known as a “humectant,” meaning it works like a sponge to help skin retain water and leave it plump and dewy.

As we age, however, our natural levels of hyaluronic Acid slowly deplete, leading to dullness, loss of “bounce” in the skin, and deepening wrinkles. That’s exactly why it’s become such a popular ingredient in skincare just a single gram can hold supposedly hold up to six litres of water, and research suggests it can help protect against environmental aggressors like pollution, too.

Best of all, it works for every skin type — especially in serum form, where it can be more easily absorbed and work its skin-plumping magic at a deeper level

There is no doubt; Hyaluronic Acid is a fantastic moisturiser. When it’s in creams and serums, it penetrates the skin barrier to help with hydration. Moisturisers and serums containing Hyaluronic Acid can also be beneficial to support and restore Hyaluronic Acid in the skin. In skincare products, Hyaluronic Acid acts as a humectant, which draws in water and moisturises the skin.

When used topically, Hyaluronic Acid works by acting as a cushion and lubricant in the joints and other tissues. Also, it might affect the way the body responds to injury and may decrease inflammation.

While topical Hyaluronic Acid is undoubtedly an excellent humectant, it is important to note that the actual benefits of Hyaluronic Acid on photo ageing are mixed. In many cases, the Hyaluronic Acid in topical products is simply too large to penetrate the skin effectively. If you’re already a hyaluronic acid convert, you’re likely well aware of all that.

There are many different types of Hyaluronic Acid products available in skin regimens. The two most common are high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid. There is also sodium hyaluronate, which is comprised of very small fragments of Hyaluronic Acid.

High molecular weight HA is not well absorbed and tends to sit on the skin, rather than work in between the cells. While this type of Hyaluronic Acid can be a useful humectant, it is likely not going to provide benefit beyond that of a regular moisturizer. Low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid, however, can hydrate the skin more deeply. This type of HA can be more useful in preventing and treating photo-ageing.

What Hyaluronic Acid does basically to the skin are as follows: