Raechele Cochran Gathers, MD Hyaluronic acid is a popular ingredient in skin care right now. It’s a featured ingredient in many moisturizers and serums. It increases the skin’s moisture level and helps reduce the look of fine lines and dry skin. While hyaluronic acid is great for all skin types, skin of color can certainly benefit from hyaluronic acid.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that’s found naturally in our skin and other tissues. Hyaluronic acid is thick and viscous and is essential for maintaining moisture in the skin. Hyaluronic acid binds to water in your skin and other tissues, keeping them supple, moist and well lubricated.
When skin of color is dry, it can look ashy and dull. Dry, irritated skin is also more prone to showing hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Hyaluronic acid acts like a humectant, drawing and holding in moisture, and keeping your skin continuously hydrated.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
- Moisturizes the skin
- Reduces appearance of fine lines
- Re-plumps skin
- Reduces dullness
- Soothes redness
- Speeds wound healing
- Has antibacterial properties
The natural aging process, as well as daily exposure to things like pollution and sunlight can reduce the amount of hyaluronic acid in your skin as you get older. In addition to using topical hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid supplements have also been used to reduce skin dryness and improve overall skin moisture.
Hyaluronic Acid Topicals for Skin of Color
One benefit of hyaluronic acid is that it’s easily incorporated into your skincare regimen. It works well with other topicals that you might be using, like retinoids for antiaging and niacinamide for calming inflammation.
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 is a good hyaluronic acid serum for sensitive skin. In addition to hyaluronic acid, it also contains vitamin b5, and used twice daily, helps to plump the skin and lock in moisture. It should be especially helpful as the weather turns colder and drier.
CeraVe Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum is great for normal to dry skin types. In addition to hyaluronic acid, it contains ceramides, which help restore and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and helps it hold moisture more effectively.
