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These Hyaluronic Acid Serums Are Your Shortcut To Plumper Skin
Plus, how you should be using this wonder ingredient to best effect.
Hyaluronic acid may sound a little scary to the uninitiated, but it’s actually one of the most relied-upon skincare ingredients of today. Unlike its other acid-based siblings (think glycolic, lactic and salicylic) hyaluronic acid is more of a hero hydrator than a power exfoliator: it’s all about feeding, not challenging, the skin.
In short, hyaluronic acid is a highly effective humectant, meaning it works to ‘grab’ moisture and hold it within the skin’s cellular matrix. ‘Hyaluronic acid belongs to a group of compounds known as glycosaminoglycans, and also forms part of the skin’s framework,’ explains consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto. 'It’s essentially a very large sugar molecule with a gel-like-consistency, and has the unique ability to bind 1,000 times its own weight in water. Its purpose in skin is to keep it soft, plump and hydrated.'
Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in our bodies – although the rate at which it is produced declines as we age – hence the rise of the topical top-up. Hyaluronic acid can be injected in the form of dermal fillers, or applied to the surface of the skin, where it can penetrate (to a limit) and hydrate on multiple levels.
How To Use A Hyaluronic Acid Serum Correctly
A good hyaluronic acid serum is the easiest way to reap the benefits of this hydrating hero – but getting the most from your product requires a little more thought than simply slathering it on with abandon. As hyaluronic is a humectant, it’ll draw moisture in – just like a magnet – from wherever it can, be it the deeper layers of the skin or the external environment (if you’re in a high-humidity climate). The trick to making hyaluronic acid work correctly is to seal it in with a thicker texture – cue your face cream – on top. This will ensure your new-found hydration says locked within the skin, rather than escaping from the surface.
Some believe a HA serum needs to be applied onto damp skin to do its best work: in fact, applying in a steamy bathroom, just after showering, could help the product draw in maximum moisture (there's that humidity we mentioned). Another good move is to use a face mist before applying your serum.
But that's pretty much where the hyaluronic rulebook ends. Most skin types should get on with this crowd-pleasing ingredient (although of course, you'll need to consider what else is in your bottle), and it plays well with all those other actives you've invested in: think retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids.
Speaking of investing, there's actually little need to venture into triple-figure territory for your hyaluronic acid, as the ingredient itself isn't especially pricy or complicated to formulate with, which explains its boom in the market. Like most things in beauty, hydrating serums span the pricing spectrum from small change to tear-inducing, but you don't have to get yourself in debt in order to obtain a good one. Today's shelves are packed with plenty of effective affordable options, although some of the spendier options will come loaded with added beauty bonuses: think antioxidants or barrier-repairing extracts.
The Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums To Try Now
So, if the best hyaluronic acid serum isn't necessarily the most expensive one, how do you pick out a winner? Really, it's a matter of molecular weight. HA can be split into molecules of differing size, which penetrate and settle at different layers of the skin. Simply speaking, the smaller the molecule, the deeper the hydration: so a serum containing multiple weights will deliver more wide-reaching moisture than one containing a singular weight.
Below, see the ELLE team's verdict on the hero hydrators that truly deliver.
The Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums To Try Now
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