Ana Mansouri, MD, is a cosmetic doctor at Kat & Co Aesthetics based in the UK who specializes in injectables and aesthetics. As one of the most important components of strong, healthy skin, hyaluronic acid is a hot topic in the world of skincare right now.

A 2015 study involving 60 women with light to medium skin tones had participants in the study group apply a solution containing 5% vitamin C followed by a moisturizer. The control groups applied a moisturizer without the vitamin C solution. In much simpler terms, hyaluronic acid is a substance that your body uses to keep your skin and connective tissue lubricated, strong, and healthy. Cagnacci A, Barattini DF, Casolati E, Pecoroni A, Mangrella M, Patrascu LC. Polycarbophil vaginal moisturizing gel versus hyaluronic acid gel in women affected by vaginal dryness in late menopausal transition: a prospective randomized trial. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2022;270:239-245. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.01.021 I popped each one on in the morning after cleansing and toning, but before my moisturiser, and my skin felt smooth enough that it never felt like it needed the extra final step of my skincare routine.Several popular dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid, including those available under the brand names Juvederm®, Restylane®, Captique®, and Hylaform®. If your goal is to reduce the visibility of facial wrinkles and moisturize your skin, using a skincare cream that contains hyaluronic acid can be a great idea.

Depending on the area treated, the skin may be lightly massaged to smooth irregularities and move the injected material to the most aesthetic position. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally inside your body, typically in quantities of approximately 10 to 20 grams, about half of which is stored inside your skin. In its oral form, hyaluronic acid is available as a dietary supplement. It’s often combined with vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients for optimal skin and bone health. Benefits of Hyaluronic AcidHyaluronic acid is arguably best known for its use in dermal fillers. These are used to reduce the visibility of facial wrinkles, fine lines, and other common signs of skin aging. Al-Niaimi F, et al. (2017). Topical vitamin C and the skin: Mechanisms of action and clinical applications. Natural hyaluronic acid is always present within your body. In your skin, it binds to water, helping your skin to stay moist, elastic, and healthy. Yao ZY, Qin J, Gong JS, et al. Versatile strategies for bioproduction of hyaluronic acid driven by synthetic biology. Carbohydrate Polymers. 2021;264:118015. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118015 Julie Russak, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Russak Dermatologist Clinic and Russak+ Aesthetic Center in New York, NY. Dr. Russak is also an assistant professor at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she teaches dermatology residents and medical students.

In its oral form, hyaluronic acid appears to offer additional benefits. For example, some research suggests that it may help to relieve the symptoms of acid reflux when it’s taken at the same time as other ingredients. Over the course of eight weeks of treatment with the hyaluronic acid products, the women that took part in the study developed finer and more elastic skin. With age, the skin on the face loses its fullness. This is especially true on the cheeks and jawline. Concentrated formulas with Hyaluronic Acid act as a volume dispenser that can possibly help to plump cheeks and promote a more youthful appearance.Based on current scientific data, it’s safe to say that hyaluronic acid does not: Treat Acne Breakouts Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the most powerful hydrating ingredients used in skincare, says cosmetic doctor Ana Mansouri, MD. "It's is a humectant—meaning it pulls water from the environment to the upper layers of the skin like a sponge." Hyaluronic acid molecules can attract up to 1,000 times their own weight in water, which is why they're so effective at hydrating the skin and keeping it moist and dewy throughout the day. "By increasing water content in the skin, hyaluronic acid can help plump the look of fine lines and wrinkles too," says dermatologist Julie Russak, MD. Like many other ingredients that go from somewhat popular to essential, some of the marketing claims about hyaluronic acid aren’t completely accurate. Simply put, yet. Although some hyaluronic acid products overstate the effects of hyaluronic acid, there’s real scientific evidence that regular use of hyaluronic acid can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, moisturize dry skin and improve your skin’s general health and appearance. Hyaluronic acid is a remarkable substance because of all the benefits and uses it has in your body. Here are just a few of the benefits of hyaluronic acid:

Monfort J, Rotés-Sala D, Segalés N, et al. Comparative efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronic acid and corticoid injections in osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint: results of a 6-month single-masked randomized study. Joint Bone Spine. 2015;82(2):116-121. doi:10.1016/j.jbspin.2014.08.008 On your skin: Hyaluronic acid products come in various forms that you put on your skin. These include shampoos, lotions, creams, gels, ointments, patches and serums. You can also buy hyaluronic acid powder and mix it with water to create a hyaluronic acid serum you can apply to your skin. It’s up to you if you use your HA serum as part of your morning or your night-time routine; if applying in the morning, give the product time to sink in before applying moisturiser and makeup, as serum formulations can be quite runny and may cause your makeup to slide off if not properly absorbed. It does have its positives, particularly that my skin did feel extra smooth and hydrated after popping one ampoule on and my foundation glided on much easier after using it.Before we answer this question, it’s important to separate injectable hyaluronic acid (something that’s available from a dermatologist or plastic surgeon) from topical hyaluronic acid treatments that are available from department stores, drug stores, and supermarkets. Treatments are carried out at a medical centre by a trained doctor or supervised nurse. A careful discussion should take place to determine which areas will be treated and to explain the benefits and risks of the procedure. Procedure for hyaluronic acid treatments Liguori V, et al. (1997). Double-blind,randomized clinical study comparing hyaluronic acid cream to placebo inpatients treated with radiotherapy. Wu B, Li Y-M, Liu Y-C. Efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections in hip osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Oncotarget. 2017;8(49):86865-86876. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.20995