Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the most powerful hydrating ingredients used in skincare.

It is a humectant, meaning it draws water from the environment into 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 are so effective at hydrating the skin and keeping it moist and dewy throughout the day. By increasing the skin's water content, hyaluronic acid can also help plump the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Hyaluronic acid is also the most commonly used ingredient in dermal fillers (such as lip injections). It works in the same way when injected as it does when applied topically, by binding to the water in your body and making the skin look plumper. The hyaluronic acid used in facial fillers is cross-linked, meaning it comes in the form of a gel that holds its shape to help create volume and structure in the skin.

You can find hyaluronic acid in tons of skincare products, but leave-on products (such as toners, essences, serums, and moisturizers) will give you the best hydration results. It is recommended to use a water- or gel-based product containing hyaluronic acid if you have oily skin and an oil-based product containing hyaluronic acid if you have dry skin. But if you use a pure serum, you must absolutely layer it with a moisturizer and/or a facial oil.

Is it okay to use hyaluronic acid every day?

Yes! Hyaluronic acid is safe and beneficial to use every day to maintain skin hydration. You just need to make sure you apply it correctly. As a general rule, you should apply your hyaluronic acid product to clean, damp skin, then seal it in with a moisturizer and a facial oil.

If you put hyaluronic acid on top of sunscreen or moisturizer, it won't work. It needs to sit on the top layer of your skin to trap moisture so it doesn't evaporate from your skin barrier.

It may seem obvious, but it is actually one of the biggest mistakes people with dry skin make with hyaluronic acid: thinking that the only thing they need to use is a serum. Instead, think of hyaluronic acid as a team player that works best when used with a cream. Even though hyaluronic acid holds water in the skin, a normal moisturizer for people with very dry skin contains an emollient to lubricate the skin and an occlusive to lock oils into the skin.

Is hyaluronic acid bad for your skin?

Quite the contrary! Hyaluronic acid is excellent for your skin if used and applied correctly and in the right order. Remember what I said above about using it on clean, damp skin? The damp part is essential. This is because if your dry skin is in a humid room and you coat it with hyaluronic acid, it will draw moisture from the air and transfer it to your dry face. But if your hydrated skin is in a dry room (in winter), the hyaluronic acid on your face will draw water from your skin and evaporate it into the air, leaving your face drier than before. When you apply your hyaluronic acid to damp skin, you are giving it a source of water to draw from.