ACTIVES · MATERIA №16
Hyaluronic Acid
The molecule that holds a thousand times its weight in water.
- Family
- actives
- Origin
- Endogenous + biotech-derived
- Format
- Topical serum
- Best taken
- Morning and evening, on damp skin
Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan the body produces in skin, joints and connective tissue. Its production declines steadily after the mid-twenties.
Topically, it is the workhorse humectant of modern skincare.
How it works in the body
It binds water — up to a thousand times its own weight. Layered on damp skin and sealed with a moisturizer, it plumps the surface and reduces the appearance of fine lines.
What you can expect
Surface plumping
Hydrates the upper layers of the skin instantly.
Good for: skin
Fine line softening
Reduces the look of fine lines through hydration.
Good for: skin
04 — PROTOCOL
Apply 2–3 drops on damp skin morning and evening. Always seal with a moisturizer afterward — otherwise it can pull moisture from the skin in dry air.
05 — SOURCING
Multi-weight hyaluronic acid serums hydrate at multiple skin depths — the gold standard for daily use.
06 — CAUTION
Generally well tolerated. In very dry climates, always seal with an occlusive.
07 — PRODUCTS
Products with Hyaluronic Acid
08 — PAIRS WELL WITH
Build the stack
Honest answers
- Is hyaluronic acid an exfoliant?
- No. Despite the name, it is not an acid in the exfoliating sense. It is a humectant — it draws and holds water.
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