What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do for Skin? 5 Hyaluronic Acid Benefits

1. Helps the skin retain water

Dehydrated skin, which refers to a lack of water, is a common concern that can affect any skin type. Signs of skin dehydration include:

• Rough, dry patches
• Lacklustre appearance
• More prominent fine lines and winkles
• Darker under-eye circles
• Itching sensations

As a humectant, hyaluronic acid benefits the skin by attracting moisture from the environment, as well as other skincare products. It can also hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which makes it easier for the skin to retain moisture.

3. Re-plumps and smooths ageing skin

Although the body produces hyaluronic acid, this naturally decreases with age (along with collagen). This makes the skin prone to dehydration, which exacerbates the look of fine lines, wrinkles, dull skin, and rough, dry patches.

Incorporating hyaluronic acid skincare benefits ageing and mature skin by improving skin firmness and textural concerns. Well-hydrated skin is plumper and smoother, has more elasticity, and appears more radiant. 

5. Plays well with other skincare ingredients

We tend to experience multiple skin concerns simultaneously, meaning that a combination of targeted ingredients is required. This is where ingredient compatibility is so important – because the wrong pairing can disrupt the skin moisture barrier.

Hyaluronic acid is one of those rare ingredients that not only plays well with other ingredients, but can even mitigates some of their harsher side effects.

Some potent partnerships include:

• Retinol and hyaluronic acid: though retinol is powerful for targeting anti-ageing concerns, it’s also known for drying out the skin. Hyaluronic acid benefits the skin by minimising dryness, tightness and redness, and you can introduce it, alongside our Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum, into your evening routine.
• Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid: this pair of ingredients happens to complement each other perfectly – especially as a dynamic anti-ageing duo. Vitamin C brightens and protects against external stressors, while hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates. Our Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate harnesses both ingredients in one single formula to promote radiance and smoother-looking skin.
• Salicylic and hyaluronic acid: on its own, salicylic acid is an effective blemish-fighting ingredient known for its ability to unclog pores and encourage skin cell turnover. However, it can have a drying effect on the skin, so it’s important to also prioritise hydration. Using hyaluronic acid alongside a salicylic-acid based serum like our Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution can help maintain the right balance.
• Glycerin and hyaluronic acid: sometimes dry, mature, or sensitive skin needs double the hydration support – which is where a combination of glycerin and hyaluronic acid can be most effective. The Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate from Kiehl’s utilises both ingredients to deliver a ‘filling effect’ on the skin, boosting elasticity and smoothing texture.