Using Your Hyaluronic Acid The Right Way Is Key To Avoiding It Drying Out Your Skin
Although hyaluronic acid is one of the superstars of the skincare world, it can quickly turn into your enemy. Like many skincare ingredients, hyaluronic acid became a must-have for many due to its hydrating properties. Those who are looking to hydrate their skin and combat dryness turn to hyaluronic acid — it acts as a magnet for hydration, gathering moisture and adding it back into the skin. This reason is why it's often included with other hydrating ingredients.
While this ingredient is ideal for parched skin, it can actually cause dryness if used incorrectly. Like any skincare ingredient, it must be applied according to the product's instructions, or it can wreak havoc on your skin. Applying hyaluronic acid to dry skin can make it even drier if there's no moisture to draw from. While it may seem like just using hyaluronic acid is an easy way of instantly hydrating the skin, using it on dry, dehydrated skin can make problems worse. Don't be fooled by its hydrating reputation — hyaluronic acid can only deliver benefits when use correctly in a proper skincare routine.
How to use hyaluronic acid correctly
If you want to avoid turning your skin from dry to the desert, you'll want to use hyaluronic acid properly. Timeless Skin Care recommends always applying hyaluronic acid to damp skin. It doesn't matter whether your skin is damp from water or other products, as long as it has moisture to draw from. Because hyaluronic acid acts as a magnet for hydration, you want to supply the skin with enough moisture to prevent the ingredient from being drawn from deep into it. If you apply hyaluronic onto dry skin, the ingredient will seek moisture, leaving it even more dehydrated. Apply a facial oil or hydrating moisturizer with your hyaluronic acid.
Using hyaluronic acid is another reminder of how important it is to keep your skin and body hydrated. Although it's sometimes understated, drinking enough water can help keep moisture in your skin, making your skincare routine even more effective. When applying hyaluronic acid, try to stick to serums that include other hydrating ingredients. A mixed ingredient serum will absorb quickly and help the hyaluronic acid to do its job properly.
Mistakes you're making with hyaluronic acid
Besides applying hyaluronic acid to dry skin, there may be other mistakes you are making with this ingredient, rendering it useless. Along with never applying it to dry skin, you'll also want to be mindful when applying it in a dry climate. Just as with dry skin, putting on hyaluronic acid when in a dry climate can increase the chances of it drying out your skin. Since dry climates tend to dehydrate the skin and everything around them, you'll want to be sure your skin is moist before applying hyaluronic acid to reap its benefits.
When using this ingredient, you should also wait to apply it until after you use stronger ingredients. Under the correct circumstances, hyaluronic acid can help hydrate and refresh the skin after tougher ingredients. If you're worried about retinol or other acids making your skin irritated, always follow up with a hydrating hyaluronic acid. Apply your ingredients according to the strongest first and by thinnest to thickest. This order ensures that all the products that need closer proximity to your skin go on first and reduces ingredient interference.