Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a substance found naturally in our skin that holds water and helps keep it hydrated and plump. The molecule holds a thousand times its weight in water to not only retain all that moisture in our skin but also prevent all that moisture from evaporating into the air, according to Dr Lily Talakoub, a dermatologist at the McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center.

Here's why it's vitally important to add it to your daily routine: just like collagen and elastin, the amount of naturally-occurring hyaluronic acid in our bodies decreases as we get older. There are, however, ways to help stimulate the production of HA in our bodies. “Diet affects the skin significantly,” says Dr. Howard D. Sobel, a dermatologist in New York City. “Eating fruits and veggies with lots of antioxidants protect the skin from inflammation, in turn, helps the skin retain it.”

The ingredient should be a cornerstone of any anti-aging routine. Check the labels of your favorite skincare products—chances are you're already using it in some form or another. “As a topical [product], as long as it is in the right formulation, it will make the skin appear more dewy and younger because it improves skin elasticity,” says Dr. Kavita Mariwalla, a dermatologist in New York City and the founder of Mariwalla Dermatology.

Hyaluronic acid plays well with most other ingredients and can be paired with peels, retinols, vitamins, and other acids. Nazarian says the only exception would be acids with low pH levels, like glycolic acid, because it may degrade the HA and make it ineffective.

But picking the right hyaluronic acid product is tricky. The molecule is often times too large to effectively deliver hydration deep into skin layers, and it's hard to know if a product uses a micronized particle just by reading the label. “[See] where the molecule is micronized or [if] the HA is in a vehicle that penetrates the skin in order to be effective where it needs to be,” she says. “Otherwise you are just putting it on top of the skin without it being helpful.”

Nazarian recommends products like the Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer. "I love that it’s lightweight, and oil-free, so good for my acne-prone patients," she says. "It also includes green tea, an antioxidant that works to improve skin aging, and hyaluronic acid to help maintain skins hydration." Mariwalla is a fan of the SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier.

Injectable Hyaluronic Acid

Injectables like JUVÉDERM and Restylane use a gel form of hyaluronic acid to add volume to the dermal layer of the skin. With a few pricks of a needle, the gel plumps sunken areas, smooths fine lines, and decreases shadows—then slowly dissolves over the course of one year. “In fillers, hyaluronic acid is bound in a gel carrier which holds it in place where it is injected,” says Mariwalla. “The hyaluronic acid creates volume because it draws in water to the area, creating a filling effect.”

Side effects are minimal: you may experience some swelling or bruising that can last for two or three days. The most important thing to remember when getting any kind of filler or injectable os to go to a trained and board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. “Injectables do come with their own risk—it can be injected too superficially, or in rare cases, into a blood vessel,” says Nazarian.

Source:Bazaar