Hyaluronic Acid: The Hydration Ingredient Explained

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan — a long chain sugar molecule naturally found in skin, joints, and connective tissue. In skincare, it acts as a humectant, capable of holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water. This makes it one of the most effective ingredients for surface hydration, though its mechanism is sometimes misunderstood.

• Apply to damp skin: HA draws water from its immediate environment. On dry skin in a dry climate, it can pull moisture upward from the dermis and then lose it to the air, paradoxically leaving skin drier.
• Seal it in: always follow HA with a moisturiser or emollient to lock the drawn-in moisture.
• Molecular weight matters: low-molecular-weight HA penetrates deeper and may have stronger anti-inflammatory effects; high-MW HA sits on the surface and provides a plumping, smoothing effect.
• HA is not a permanent plumper — the effect is temporary and depends on continued use and hydration.
• Very well tolerated; rarely causes irritation and suits all skin types including sensitive and acne-prone.