Hydration Hero: The Benefits of Using Hyaluronic Acid in Your Skincare Routine

By Samantha Wengert

Are you ready to dive into all things Hyaluronic Acid? Hyaluronic Acid is one of the hottest ingredients in skincare right now. You’ve probably seen it everywhere (and for good reason!).

It’s the star ingredient in some of e.l.f. SKIN’s Holy Hydration! Collection, and we’re about to spill all the tea on why this ingredient is everything. Keep reading for the inside scoop on what exactly Hyaluronic Acid is, what it does, and how to use it in your skincare routine.

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic Acid (also known as HA) is one of our favorite hydration heroes. This remarkable molecule functions as a powerful humectant with an extraordinary capacity to retain moisture—capable of holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water.

Key Characteristics

  • Moisture Magnet: Functions as a humectant that draws water molecules to skin cells

  • Molecular Size: Available in different molecular weights that can determine how deeply it may penetrate the skin

  • Water-Binding Capacity: Can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water

Why It's Important

Hyaluronic acid has become a staple ingredient in skincare formulations as a hydrating ingredient that can help to restore moisture and plump the skin's appearance. 

What are the Benefits of Using Hyaluronic Acid?

If your skin’s been feeling dry or dehydrated, hyaluronic acid is about to be your skin’s new BFF. Dry skin can make fine lines pop up, giving you that dull look. But when you bring hyaluronic acid into your routine, you’re getting hydration on both the surface and deep within the skin.

Hydration Properties

  • Can help maintain optimal moisture balance in the skin

  • Helps to prevent water loss through the skin barrier

Barrier Function Support

Beyond hydration, hyaluronic acid can contribute to skin barrier health:

  • Helps shield against environmental aggressors

  • Maintains balanced moisture levels

Versatility Across Skin Types

One of hyaluronic acid's greatest strengths is its universal compatibility:

  • Safe for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin

  • Compatible with other active ingredients like retinoids, vitamin C, and AHAs

Can I use Hyaluronic Acid every day?

Yes! You can (and should) use hyaluronic acid every day, both morning and night. It plays nice with all skin types, and it pairs well with pretty much every other skincare ingredient.

Unlike some active ingredients that can cause irritation with frequent use, hyaluronic acid is naturally present in your skin and typically doesn't cause adverse reactions. Daily application can help to maintain consistent hydration levels.

Whether you're using a hyaluronic acid serum, moisturizer, or eye cream, its hydration magic is something your skin will thank you for.

Best Practices for Daily Use

  • Apply to damp skin for maximum effectiveness (hyaluronic acid works by drawing moisture)

  • Use morning and evening as part of your regular skincare routine

  • Layer under heavier moisturizers to seal in the hydration

  • For optimal results, apply to clean skin before other treatments and serums

What is the Difference Between Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C?

Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are both powerhouse skincare ingredients with distinct functions and benefits. Understanding their differences can help to determine which ingredient best suits your specific skin needs.

Hyaluronic Acid is your hydration hero, working to draw moisture into your skin for that plump, bouncy look:

  • Hydration specialist that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water

  • Naturally occurring substance in our bodies that diminishes with age

  • Acts as a humectant, drawing moisture into the skin and retaining it

Vitamin C, on the other hand, is an antioxidant superstar:

  • Antioxidant that helps protect against environmental damage

  • May brighten skin and reduce hyperpigmentation

  • Can help shield skin from UV damage when used with SPF

Both are amazing ingredients and can actually work together in your skincare routine for flawless, glowing skin. We recommend applying vitamin C first on clean, dry skin, followed by hyaluronic acid.

Skincare Ingredients Compatible with Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid gets along with almost everything in your skincare routine! It’s one of those ingredients that just fits into a ton of formulas (I bet you’ve got at least one product in your cabinet with hyaluronic acid in it, right?).

Ingredients that work well with hyaluronic acid:

  • Vitamin C: Perfect pairing for brightening and hydration

  • Retinol/Retinoids: Hyaluronic acid can help to mitigate retinol's drying effects

  • Niacinamide: Both are water-loving humectants that may strengthen the skin barrier

  • AHAs/BHAs: Hyaluronic acid helps counteract the potential drying effects of exfoliating acids

  • Peptides: Can create a synergistic effect for plumping and firming the appearance of skin

  • Ceramides: Together they create an excellent moisture barrier

  • Benzoyl Peroxide: Helps maintain your skins hydration while treating acne

Explore the skinnification of makeup

The recent skincare-first approach on TikTok has totally transformed our makeup bags—and we're here for it! Gone are the days of pore-clogging foundations and drying formulas that left our skin worse off.

Now, some our favorite makeup products are pulling double-duty with amazing skin-loving ingredients! We call it the skinnification of makeup—combining our favorite makeup products with ingredients that your skin will love. Hyaluronic acid is the superstar showing up in some of our makeup heroes.

Your makeup can actually help your skin look hydrated while you wear it! These skincare-makeup hybrids help keep your skin looking juicy and moisturized all day long, preventing that dreaded cakey look and giving you that gorgeous, glowy finish we all crave. The best part? You're actually helping your skin while looking fabulous! Talk about a win-win for your beauty routine.