Skincare 101: The Best Way to Use Hyaluronic Acid in your Routine

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Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most talked-about skincare ingredients, and for a good reason: it has the amazing ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in moisture. Hyaluronic Acid is produced naturally in our bodies, and when applied topically, it can give you an amazing moisture boost and can plump your skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Sounds like a miracle, I know, but it's science!

However HA isn't the most straightforward ingredient to incorporate into your skincare routine, and using it incorrectly can actually dehydrate your skin.

Wait What?

Hyaluronic Acid acts as a magnet that attracts water to it. If you live in a more humid climate, there's likely enough moisture in the air for the HA to pull from, and you'll have plump, hydrated skin after applying it. But if you happen to be in a drier climate (aka New York in the winter, for me), hyaluronic acid can actually end up pulling moisture out from your skin.

So how can you use Hyaluronic Acid in dry climates?

Luckily, if you live in a dry climate, there's still hope! First things first, applying hyaluronic acid to damp skin (either immediately after cleansing or after using a face mist) can theoretically help your HA pull moisture into your skin.

However, the most effective way is to prevent moisture from escaping your skin after applying a HA serum. You can do this by ending your routine with a moisturizer that contains occlusive ingredients. These are ingredients such as jojoba oil, squalene, shea butter, cetyl alcohol, petrolatum, and beeswax, that help to slow the rate at which moisture dissipates from your skin.

Ready to add hyaluronic acid to your routine?

Here are some of my favorite hyaluronic acid products:

Valjean Labs Hydrate Hyaluronic Acid Mist ($12)

Valjean Labs Hydrate Mist featured on left (other featured products from left to right: Glossier Balm Dot Com, Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, Marc Jacobs Daisy, Pearlessence Rosehip Seed Oil, Fur Oil, Krave Beauty Beat the Sun, Drunk Elephant Babyfacial, Glossier Zit Stick.)

iUnik Hyaluronic Acid Vitalizing Toner ($22.90)

The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($12.98)

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% Serum pictured on right (other products pictured: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 5%, Fresh Hydrating Rose Toner, Farmacy Honey Drop)

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Talk to me in the comments! Have you used HA in your routine before? What's your favorite product?