This one ingredient can transform your dry winter skin
Hyaluronic acid might be the solution to your dry skin woes.
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Getty / bymuratdeniz
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Skincare fads come and go like the seasons, but as someone with combination skin, I love to try them all—particularly in the winter, when indoor heating bumps my issues up to 11. If light therapy acne-zappers and face masks soaked in snail slime can make me glowy and balanced, I’m willing to find out.
Luckily, some of these trends, like seeking hyaluronic acid for your skincare routine, are backed by real science. After I noticed the ingredient popping up in moisturizers and serums across drugstores and luxury beauty stores alike, I decided to try the Cosrx Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream on my own dry skin. After just a few days, I was hooked.
I spoke to dermatologists and beauty experts to find out how hyaluronic acid works, why it’s so popular, and what it can do for your skin.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Also referred to by its water-soluble salt form, sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid (or HA) is a gel-like water-holding molecule and moisture-binding ingredient that helps keep skin plump and hydrated.
“It’s what gives our tissues their 'squish' and volume,” says NYC-based dermatologist Susan Bard, MD. “As we age, our tissues break down, produce less hyaluronic acid, and lose volume.”
Because it occurs organically throughout the human body (with the highest concentration in the fluids in our eyes and joints), hyaluronic acid is naturally compatible with our skin and less likely to cause irritation than other moisturizers.
But why, exactly, does the molecule work so well? According to Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, the medical director of Mudgil Dermatology, the answer is simple. “Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water,” he says. "It’s a great moisturizer because of this special characteristic.”
Essentially, hyaluronic acid is a safe, biocompatible ingredient that happens to be dry skin’s worst nightmare.
What are some hyaluronic acid benefits?
If you have sensitive combination skin like me, the thought of introducing a new topical ingredient can be harrowing. Luckily, experts agree that HA is safe for most skin types, including those with acne and eczema.
“The properties of HA make it not only safe for acne- and eczema-prone skin, but extremely beneficial,” says Tracie Martyn CEO Marius Morariu. “By encouraging skin cell regeneration and promoting a healthy balance of collagen and elastin, it can even help to prevent acne scarring.”
Don’t just grab any HA product without reading carefully, however. “If you have acne, the key to buying hyaluronic acid products is making sure the other ingredients don’t exacerbate your condition,” says Dr. Mudgil. As always, you should spot-test any new skin care products you purchase before working them into your routine.
What are the best hyaluronic acid skincare products?
Luckily, you don’t have to go far—or spend a chunk of your paycheck—to get quality hyaluronic acid products on your beauty shelf. Both Dr. Mudgil and Dr. Bard recommend Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer to their patients suffering from flaky, unbalanced skin on their faces.
Thousands of reviewers agree—it's among Amazon's bestselling skincare products. Dr. Mudgil also recommends CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid for those with all-over dry skin.
Looking for something a little fancier? I’m a big fan of both Cosrx Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream and the Glossier Super Bounce, a serum loaded with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5. Whichever product you choose, your dry skin will thank you.