What is Hyaluronic Acid?

If you have spent any time looking at skincare, you have seen “hyaluronic acid” everywhere—they’re in serums, moisturizers, eye creams, and lip treatments. It shows up in almost everything. And unlike a lot of trending ingredients that come and go, this one has earned its place.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a molecule that occurs naturally in your body, mainly in your skin, joints, and connective tissue. Its job is to hold onto water. One molecule of HA can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which is why it is so effective at keeping skin plump, cushioned, and hydrated.

The catch is that our natural hyaluronic acid levels decline with age, sun exposure, and environmental stress. By our mid-20s, production starts to slow. By our 40s and 50s, the difference is noticeable. The skin looks less plump, fine lines appear more prominent, and the skin doesn’t bounce back the way it used to.

Topical HA does not replace what your body has lost at a deep level, but it does attract and hold moisture in the outer layers of the skin, which makes a visible difference in how skin looks and feels.

It draws moisture from its surroundings, so in a humid environment like Hawai’i, it’s perfect! There is plenty of moisture in the air for it to pull from. But if you apply it to completely dry skin in a dry environment and do not seal it with a moisturizer, it can draw moisture out of the deeper layers of your skin instead, leaving skin feeling tighter and drier than before.

Therefore, you should apply hyaluronic acid to damp skin and immediately follow with a moisturizer to seal it in.

HA is one of the easiest ingredients to incorporate because it plays well with everything. It does not conflict with retinol, vitamin C, exfoliating acids, or SPF. It is suitable for all skin types including oily, sensitive, and acne-prone.

Morning: After cleansing and vitamin C, apply your HA serum to slightly damp skin. Follow with moisturizer, then SPF. It layers beautifully under everything and gives your base a hydrated, smooth canvas.

Evening: After cleansing, apply your HA serum before your retinol or other actives. It helps buffer stronger ingredients and keeps skin from feeling stripped.

This is MY Morning Routine:

• Plated Intense
• Vitamin C and HA (I mix them on the back of my hand) 
• Hydra-Riche Moisturizer
• Glow Drops SPF 

For reference, I have normal to dry skin.

Hyaluronic acid is popular because it works, is gentle, and it fits into any routine without complicating things. If your skin ever feels tight, dull, or like it needs a drink of water, this is usually the first place I direct people who are looking for more hydration in their skin.

Have questions about how to build your routine or which products are right for your skin? Email me anytime at mmahoney@drmonicascheel.com or call my direct line at (808) 666-2078.

Mahalo for reading — here is to happy, healthy, glowing skin.