You Magazine: What is hyaluronic acid good for? We asked the experts

When it comes to buzzed about beauty ingredients, hyaluronic acid is much more than a fad, in fact it’s become a mainstay in our skincare arsenal. But if someone asked you to explain precisely what hyaluronic acid is, and what it’s good for, would you know?

We spoke to leading UK aesthetic doctor, Dr Nick Milojevic of Milo Clinic to get all the detail. Time for a bite size beauty education…

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan [GAG], a vital natural substance that’s a youth-supporting part of skin. It works to keep every aspect of skin stable and constantly renewed. Like collagen, hyaluronic acid structure to your skin.

What is hyaluronic acid good for?

As we age, our skin loses the ability to maintain this vital, plumping moisture, the result is visible loss of firmness, pliability, and diminished appearance of plumpness and suppleness. Hyaluronic acid can enhance moisture content and instantly improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. When applied, hyaluronic acid will quickly go into the dermal layers of the skin.

When should you start using hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is added to a wide range of topical skin care products but to get the most out of it, you need to start using it in your routine as early as possible. Look for formulas that use a combination of different molecular weights: the larger hyaluronic acid molecules will moisturise the surface of the skin, while the smaller ones will penetrate the lower layers, offering the skin multi-level hydration.

Is hyaluronic acid safe to use on sensitive skin?

As with any beauty product, do a spot test on your skin before you begin to use it full time. Everybody’s skin has a different pH, so most people will react positively, but a select few find the acid is not suited for them.