Hyaluronic acid has recently become a household name and beauty shelf staple. Now that we get skincare tips and regimens from influencers on TikTok and Go To Bed With Me videos on Youtube, there’s plenty of press around this potent ingredient—and for good reason. When the results such as brighter, more vibrant, younger-looking skin are commonplace, it would be a shame not to stock our carts full of products high on hyaluronic acid. This ingredient is suitable for all skin types even the most sensitive skin, and especially helpful for troubled skin. Read on to learn the top benefits of hyaluronic acid for blemishes, aging, and more and see what HA (for short) can do for you.

Hyaluronic Acid Benefits for Blemishes

Hyaluronic acid has a host of benefits for the skin, many of which target the causes and side-effects of blemishes. While it is fantastic for blemish-prone skin, it is equally as fantastic for even the clearest of skin types. Its benefits range from increased skin hydration to reduce redness, wrinkles, and blemish marks. Does it sound too good to be true? It’s not. But before we jump into the major (dare we say life-changing?) benefits of hyaluronic acid for blemishes, we need to tell you what this magical ingredient is in the first place.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic Acid (also known as HA) is a naturally occurring compound in our bodies (that’s right, it’s au naturale) that holds water inside the skin, keeping it from evaporating. It’s what makes healthy-looking skin look plump and hydrated, which is why we want more of it. Sadly, as we age, the amount of naturally-occurring hyaluronic acid in our bodies decreases. The good news is chemists have learned how to harness this powerful compound and put it into products so we can take full advantage of HA all life long.

Hyaluronic acid and another form, sodium hyaluronate, are common ingredients in skincare and beauty products because of the hydrating powers. You may already be using a hyaluronic acid product and not even know it. If so, keep up the good work! And start paying attention to the benefits you reap. These are the top benefits of adding hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine you can be on the lookout for:

Hydration

Skin Concern: Dryness in our skin can cause it to overcompensate for the lack of hydration by producing more oil, which can cause blemishes and clogged pores. It’s a common misconception that people with oily skin don’t need hydration—everyone needs hydration. Hydrated skin is healthy-looking skin and less-prone-to-blemishes skin.

The solution: Hyaluronic acid has the ability to draw in and hold onto water. Just as it retains and preserves moisture inside of our bodies, products containing hyaluronic acid can help the surface of our skin retain moisture too. These products draw and lock moisture into the skin, supplying it with hydration that lasts all day or night long.

Protection

The problem: A lot of blemishes are the result of bacteria and pollutants getting trapped in the pores. It is easier for bacteria, toxins, irritants, et cetera to penetrate the skin’s surface if the lipid barrier, your skin’s natural barrier that is made up of fatty acids, is weak. It’s not totally your fault your lipid barrier is penetrable; it naturally weakens over time due to age, sun exposure, pollution, and more.

The solution: Thankfully, strengthening that lipid barrier is something hyaluronic acid serum is great at. By locking in moisture, it serves as an additional layer of security for the lipid barrier, and thus, protects your skin from developing blemishes.

Restoration

The problem: To combat blemishes, many people apply harsh chemicals that strip the skin and break down the lipid barrier, thus weakening the skin’s ability to fight off more blemish-causing intruders. This also isn’t your fault. We’ve been led to believe these intense ingredients are the answer to clear skin when in reality, many do more harm than good.

The solution: Once again, hyaluronic acid can protect the lipid barrier and prevent the skin from causing blemishes. However, you can’t reap this benefit without ceasing the use of the chemicals that caused the problem in the first place. Focus on using clean products with beneficial ingredients that won’t further damage the lipid barrier, but instead, protect it with products such as hyaluronic acid.

Improves Skin Texture

The problem: Blemishes and blemish marks can leave skin with an uneven texture that’s difficult to cover up.

The solution: Smoother skin is one of the chief benefits of hyaluronic acid for textured skin especially. By drawing in water and locking it into the skin, hyaluronic acid can help achieve a smoother, more even skin texture. While it won’t make blemish marks disappear, it will plump skin to give it an overall smoother finish.

Reduces Redness

The problem: Blemishes can tend to give skin a red appearance that has many of us reaching for those green-toned, high coverage concealers to cover up our skin.

The solution: Hyaluronic acid products can actually soothe skin tone and help reduce the appearance of redness-prone skin, diminishing the appearance of blemishes. It will also replenish and hydrate skin to help regenerate breakouts and prevent future blemishes. If your skin is more prone to pesky blemishes, it may be worthwhile to read up on the benefits of using toner formulated with hyaluronic acid and incorporating this step into your skincare routine.

Supports Skin Cell Renewal

The problem: When we have breakouts and blemishes, it can take up to a few months for our skin texture and pigmentation to return back to normal. Makeup can certainly hide blemishes in the meantime, but taking proper care of your skin with skin care products can speed up this regeneration process.

The solution: While it won’t make a pimple vanish into thin air, hyaluronic acid can help support skin cell renewal. When you use hyaluronic acid, you assist your skin in all of the processes it’s trying to accomplish. Hyaluronic acid will take over hydrating and protecting the skin so the skin can get to work turning over dead skin cells, which in turn gives you a more refreshed complexion.

Diminishes the Appearance of Fine Lines

The problem: Supple skin is the best defense against fine lines and wrinkles and what gives an overall more youthful appearance, but as we age we lose the skin elasticity that keeps it supple and taut, making wrinkles more pronounced.

The solution: When the skin is properly hydrated it appears firmer and bouncier, diminishing the appearance of fine lines. Hyaluronic acid fills the skin with the hydration it needs to look more supple and taut and can actually make wrinkles appear fewer and less severe.

Combats Signs of Aging

The problem: Every day our skin is damaged by pollution, weather, irritants, and simply the effort of living life (still totally worth it) that results in more fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and dryness.

The solution: Even as amazing of an organ as it is, like us, our skin can’t do a million things at once. It can’t fight pollution, stay hydrated and turn over skin cells at the same time. However, with the help of topical hyaluronic acid, it can. One of the important jobs hyaluronic acid lets skin accomplish is supporting skin cell renewal. Think of new skin cells as baby skin cells; they are smooth, plump, and free from wrinkles, spots, and other signs of age. In addition to fighting current signs of aging, hyaluronic acid helps prevent future signs of premature aging. By fortifying the lipid barrier (remember, the one we discussed earlier?), hyaluronic acid ward off wrinkles and dark spots before they even happen.

How To Use Hyaluronic Acid

So, is hyaluronic acid good for blemishes? Yes. Is hyaluronic acid good for a slew of skin problems? Absolutely. Now that you know all about the powerful hyaluronic acid benefits let’s discuss how to incorporate it into your routine seamlessly.

Face skincare products featuring hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate come in all shapes and sizes from serums to masks to specifically formulated products to reduce dark circles, all of which are easy to use and often feature other ingredients as well to make the product even more powerful. Hyaluronic acid can be used morning or night, or both to increase its efficacy. However, certain products containing additional ingredients may impact when you will reap the most benefits. Always be sure to read the instructions for use on each product to get the most out of it.

Whether you’re seeking its blemish or age-fighting properties, there’s a AHA product that’s right for you and will soon be a staple on your shelf.

Sources:

1. Harpers Bazaar: Hyaluronic Acid benefits
2. North Pacific Dermatology
3. Cosmedica Skincare: Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid

About the Author

Camille Poggi is a doctor in Pharmacy (PharmD.) and is passionate about skincare and how the skin works in general. She specializes in the cosmetic industry and worked for renowned companies in France like L’Oréal and Chanel before moving to London. After being a training manager for 4 years, Camille is at ease with explaining how products work in the skin and how to adapt her speech according to the audience.

She joined REN in January 2020 as International Training Manager and moved to the Research & Development team earlier this year to be the new Scientific Education Manager. A tailored-made role where she assesses and leads all technical communication and ensures scientific compliance is always met. She’s also involved in new product development from the earliest stages. Finding a way to create sustainable skincare products and making sure the message is properly delivered and understood is definitely a big challenge but also her favourite part working for REN.