Got a good skincare routine going but still noticing dryness and dullness in your skin? A hyaluronic acid product could be the missing piece of your beauty regimen.
So you’ve got a robust skincare routine that keeps your skin happy for the most part. How can you take it up a notch to make sure it’s helping you hit all your skincare goals, from face hydration to smoother-looking skin? By adding a hyaluronic acid product into the mix! We let you in on three reasons why a hydration lotion containing hyaluronic acid is an essential part of a good skincare routine, and why Neutrogena uses it as a hero ingredient in its Hydro Boost range.
But First — What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a hot beauty ingredient, and here’s why: it’s a humectant, meaning it attracts moisture from its surroundings, including the atmosphere . More significantly, it keeps it there — HA’s ability to hold more than 1,000 times its own weight in water helps keep your skin hydrated for longer and supports the skin’s barrier function, reducing excessive water loss and protecting against microbes.
Reason #1: Hyaluronic Acid is a Superior Hydrating Ingredient
When applied to skin as a hydrating serum or lotion, hyaluronic acid works like a sponge and holds water at the outer layer of your skin. The result is intense hydration, and skin that looks plump and smooth.
Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in our skin and acts like its filler. However, our bodies’ HA levels start to slowly decrease as early as in our 40s, and in one study, was found to be entirely absent in participants aged 60 . Plus, the combination of lifestyle factors such as stress, anxiety and lack of sleep has a limiting effect on your body’s ability to produce HA. That’s where a product that contains HA as an active ingredient, such as Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel , can give your skin a boost: the prebiotic technology it contains enhances the production of hyaluronic acid in your skin, helping it maintain hydration.
Reason #2: Hyaluronic Acid is Foundational to Youthful-looking Skin
When your skin’s production of hyaluronic acid declines , it manifests as signs of aging skin such as loss of elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles. Applying HA to your skin not only helps to hydrate it, but has also been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles which helps you maintain a youthful-looking complexion.
Reason #3: Hyaluronic Acid is Hypoallergenic
As HA is naturally produced by your body, it is less likely to be recognized as a foreign substance and trigger an allergic reaction. This star ingredient also has antibacterial properties and can help regulate inflammation — so if you have sensitive skin or are prone to redness, a moisturizer or skincare products containing HA might be perfect for you.
