Is hyaluronic acid good for acne? One question that an acne prone skin individual will ask themselves before incorporating it into their skincare routine.
Acne is a skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s caused by various factors but we will not delve into that today. As an acne prone skin individual every product you add into your skincare routine has to be beneficial and help you in your goal of achieving that “glass skin”.
So let’s discuss the big question today. Is hyaluronic acid good for acne?.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance in the human body, primarily found in the skin, connective tissue, and eyes. Its main function is to retain water, keeping tissues well-lubricated and moist. In skincare, hyaluronic acid is celebrated for its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it an exceptional hydrating agent.
Hyaluronic acid has grown in its popularity massively during these recent years. It’s now put in most skincare items as well as makeup products but these hyped ingredient has been in the skincare world for ages.
While there is a big hype on this ingredient. There are ways to use it to get the full benefit and also a limit on how much should be used which we will discuss below.
So, Why do we need to use HA if it is already naturally produced? While hyaluronic acid is naturally produced in the skin as we age production decreases hence why we tend to supplement it by topical application.
As we age our skin loses its firmness and ingredients like HA come in handy when we want to plump our skin. Dermatologists advise that we start using HA from 25yrs+.
Hyaluronic has its benefits when it comes to acne and while it is not used in healing acne directly, it has some secondary benefits when it comes to acne prone skin and will help in improving your skin.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrates skin
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant which means it has the ability to retain and grasp moisture from the environment or deeper layers of the skin.
When topically applied it will help to hydrate the skin. There are ways to apply it for you to gain the maximum benefit/ for it to not have a detriment on your skin.
Hyaluronic acid works by slowing the amount of water that evaporates from the skin during the transepidermal water loss process.
For those with acne, hydration is crucial as dehydrated skin can lead to increased oil production, which may clog pores and result in more breakouts.
Heals wounds
HA has heal wounding capabilities. It helps wounds heal faster
Hyaluronic acid helps acne prone skin in reducing post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and create an even skin tone. Dark marks affect individuals with hormonal acne a lot and HA will definitely be beneficial to them.
Anti- aging
HA plumps the skin and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
As we age, the production of Ha decreases and the skin loose its firmness hence when you apply hyaluronic acid it helps in keeping the skin looking plump and youthful.
So is hyaluronic acid good for Acne?
Definitely yes. It does not directly help in healing acne but it plays a role in managing acne prone skin.
The good thing about hyaluronic acid is that it is non-comedogenic hence will not clog pores. Another bonus is that it helps in hydrating dehydrated skin which would have led to over production of oils to compensate for the lack of moisture in the skin that will eventually result to acne.
Some acne treatments dry out the skin Hyaluronic acid helps to counteract this dryness, making these treatments more tolerable and effective. By keeping the skin hydrated, hyaluronic acid also ensures that the skin remains resilient, reducing the risk of irritation and further breakouts.
Hyaluronic acid comes in various forms;
Topical- This HA is applied topically on the skin. It comes as a;
- Serum
- Lotion
- Cream
Oral- Taken orally for joint pain/to hydrate skin. Seek advice from a doctor.
Hyaluronic acid Injections– hyaluronic acid fillers are injected into the skin during certain cosmetic procedures to create a plump/fuller effect. E.g. lip fillers, facial fillers
How to Use it
To get the best benefits from hyaluronic acid;
- Apply on damp skin since it draws moisture from its environment.
- Seal it with a moisturizer
Precautions when using Hyaluronic Acid
While hyaluronic acid is generally safe and well-tolerated by most skin types, there are a few precautions you should take to ensure you get the best results:
Perform a Patch Test
Although hyaluronic acid is unlikely to cause irritation, it’s always wise to do a patch test before adding a new product to your routine. Apply a small amount of the product to a discreet area of your skin, such as behind your ear or on your wrist, and wait 24 hours to see if any reaction occurs.
2. Consider the Environment
Hyaluronic acid draws moisture from the surrounding environment. In low-humidity conditions, it can potentially pull moisture from the deeper layers of your skin, leading to dryness. To prevent this, always apply hyaluronic acid to damp skin and follow with a good moisturizer to seal in the hydration.
3. Avoid Over-Exfoliation
If you’re using other active ingredients such as retinoids or exfoliating acids, be mindful not to over-exfoliate your skin. Over-exfoliation can compromise your skin barrier, leading to irritation and dryness. Hyaluronic acid can help to soothe and hydrate, but it’s essential to maintain a balanced skincare routine that doesn’t overtax your skin.
4. Check the Ingredient List
Not all hyaluronic acid products are created equal. Some may contain potentially irritating ingredients, such as alcohol or fragrance, which can exacerbate acne. Always check the ingredient list before purchasing a product, and opt for those specifically formulated for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid+ B5
A water based lightweight formula that absorbs quickly into the skin and offers hydration to multiple layers of the skin. It targets wrinkles and skin texture issues and also affordable
Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Another fave in the skincare world that help to repair skin barrier and plump the skin. Great for dry skin
La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
It is suitable for sensitive skin and helps repair skin barrier and plump the skin.
Conclusion
Hyaluronic has grown in popularity in the recent years and it’s good to do some research before purchasing every product that has hyaluronic acid as an ingredient as an acne prone individual.
Hyaluronic acid doesn’t help heal acne directly but it sure has some really nice benefits on acne prone skin. It will help in hydration when used correctly and other great benefits.
When incorporating hyaluronic acid in your routine limit the amount of products that contain hyaluronic acid in your skincare products. It’s best to use only one serum with the ingredient instead of having every skincare product in your routine with hyaluronic acid as this will cause dryness in the long run.
