One of my favourite skin care ingredients has to be hyaluronic acid. This supercharged hydrating molecule naturally occurs in the body helping skin look plump, luminous and youthful. Unfortunately these reserves deplete with age leaving skin looking tired, dehydrated or lined. It’s almost like we start out in life as a plump grape full of moisture and as we age, we lose our plump and start to shrivel like a raisin (OK, I’m being dramatic now, but you get the point!). The only people who don’t need hyalurinic acid in their lives are those under 16.
Hyaluronic acid retains up to 100 times its own weight in water meaning it is fantastic as an all-round skin hydrator that will benefit all skin types as most people’s skin suffers from dehydration or dry patches. Dehydrated skin suffers from a lack of water rather than lack of oil. Skin dehydration can be mistaken for premature wrinkles, so if you have fine lines, try a hydrating serum before an anti-ageing serum.
Plumping up the skin with more water-retaining molecules will make it look like you’ve given your skin a glass of water to drink and generally make skin appear more vibrant and healthy. If your skin is dry, dehydrated and lacklustre, then applying a a few drops of hydrating serum before your usual moisturiser can make a huge difference. Those with oilier skin might even prefer to use one on its own. I find it actually makes a good base for make-up. It will also help soothe and calm irritation caused by harsh cleansing or the environment. There are lots of products that contain hyaluronic acid as just one of many ingredients, but I especially love the ones where it takes centre stage so it can be experienced in its full glory…
SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5, £65, 30ml
This was the first hyaluronic acid product I ever tried. SkinCeuticals is a ‘cosmeceutical’ skincare range (cosmetic + pharmaceutical get it?!) that is all about improving skin health through advanced skincare backed by science. The range is mainly sold in medispas and dermatologist and doctor clinics. When I first used SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 some 8 years ago, I was hooked from the start. This combines 1.5% hyaluronic acid with vitamin B5 to smooth and repair the skin.
Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Serum, £40, 30ml
I came across the Medik8 cosmeceutical skincare range by accident when I was looking to buy my usual SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 serum about 6 years ago, but it was out of stock (others must have clocked onto this good thing!). The practitioner at the medispa suggested trying Medik8’s version instead. Over a third cheaper and seemingly similar, I was happy to give Medik8 Hydr8 B5 a try and I was not disappointed. This light-weight serum combines hyaluronic acid with vitamin B5 leaving my skin feeling quenched, smooth and comfortable.
Indeed Labs hydraluron moisture jelly, £24.99, 30ml
4 years ago my journey to a wallet-friendly hyaluronic acid brought me to Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Jelly which I discovered in Boots. I love that it is now possible to buy brilliant value and great quality skincare products featuring hyaluronic acid while buying your shower gel and toothpaste.
The Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Face Serum is inspired by injectable hydration treatments in Swiss clinics and contains the purest form of hyaluronic acid from the Netherlands along with a bio-engineered strain of red algae which allows the hyaluronic acid to penetrate more deeply. The Hydraluron Moisture Jelly is designed to act as the second layer as the ultimate topical moisturiser.
Most days I tend to use the jelly solo over my antioxidant serum and feel I don’t need a separate moisturiser. The cool packaging has a pump delivery at the top and the transparent container means you can see when you’re running low. I recently ran out and my skin was not happy. Now I’ve re-stocked, we’re back to a happy place with soft, supple, smooth skin.