Hyaluronic acid helps skin hold water, which can make it feel softer and look smoother. You will find it in many serums and moisturizers, as well as certain injectable fillers. However, those products work in different ways. This guide explains the benefits, how to use a serum and what to expect from your routine.
At BC Laser & Skincare in Surrey, we help you choose products around your skin concerns. If you want a dedicated hydration step, our current recommendation is SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan.
Feature image by @davidclode on Unsplash.
In this guide
- What is hyaluronic acid?
- Benefits for skin hydration
- What hydration can and cannot change
- Choosing a topical formula
- Our current serum recommendation
- How to use it in your routine
- Serums versus injectable fillers
- Common questions
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid, often shortened to HA, is a substance your body makes naturally. It occurs in the skin, eyes and joints. One of its main jobs is to attract and retain water.
In skincare, this makes it a humectant: an ingredient that helps hold moisture. Despite the word “acid,” it does not exfoliate like glycolic or salicylic acid. Cleveland Clinic explains its roles in hydration and tissue function.
Hyaluronic acid benefits for skin hydration
A well-chosen hydrating product can help skin feel more comfortable and look less dull. It may also soften the appearance of fine dehydration lines. These changes reflect better hydration rather than a permanent change to facial structure.
Water content and oil production are different things. For example, skin can feel oily yet still feel tight after cleansing. Our guide to dry skin, dehydration and moisture loss explains that distinction.
The whole formula matters, too. A serum adds a hydration step, while a suitable moisturizer helps keep that moisture in the skin. Choose textures that feel comfortable instead of assuming a heavier product always works better.
What hydration can and cannot change
As skin ages, its structure and ability to retain moisture change. Sun exposure also contributes to visible aging. Hydration can improve the look of dryness-related lines, but a serum cannot lift loose skin or replace lost facial volume in the same way as a medical treatment.
A practical routine combines gentle cleansing, moisturizer and sun protection. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends moisturizer and sun protection as part of caring for aging skin.
If wrinkles and lines remain a concern, ask which options suit their cause. Dehydration, repeated facial movement and volume loss need different approaches.
Choosing a hyaluronic acid formula
You can find hyaluronic acid in gels, creams and serums. Some formulas combine different forms or molecular sizes. However, a label alone does not tell you how well a finished product will work for your skin.
Start with your main concern. Do you want a light serum beneath moisturizer, a richer cream for dry areas or a simpler routine for sensitive skin? Also consider the products you already use. Adding several new steps at once makes it harder to identify irritation.
Our current hyaluronic acid serum recommendation
SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan is a lightweight serum for skin that looks dehydrated or lacks plumpness. Its formula includes 1.3% hyaluronic acid, 12% Proxylane and a postbiotic ferment.
SkinCeuticals describes benefits for hydration and the appearance of fine lines, firmness and facial contours. These are skincare effects, not the same result as adding volume with an injectable filler. Individual results vary.
The manufacturer lists the formula as fragrance-free and suitable for several skin types, including sensitive skin. Even so, check the ingredient list and introduce it carefully. You can read the manufacturer’s product information and directions for more detail.
Shop HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan at BC Laser & Skincare or ask our Surrey team whether it fits your routine.
How to use it in your routine
For HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan, follow the directions on your packaging. SkinCeuticals recommends four to six drops once or twice daily.
- Apply the serum to the forehead, cheeks, chin and neck.
- In the morning, use it after your vitamin C antioxidant serum.
- Follow with moisturizer as needed and sunscreen during the day.
- If you recently had filler, ask your injector when to restart skincare.
For other formulas, follow their own instructions rather than assuming every serum works the same way. In particular, avoid adding extra layers just because your skin feels dry. A more suitable moisturizer may help more than additional serum.
Introduce one new product at a time. If a product causes persistent stinging, burning or irritation, stop using it and seek advice. This also makes it easier to tell which step suits your skin.
Serums versus injectable fillers
Although both can contain hyaluronic acid, a topical serum and an injectable filler serve different purposes. Skincare targets hydration and surface appearance. A trained clinician places filler beneath the skin to address selected volume or contour concerns.
Our Juvéderm treatment page explains one family of fillers. There is no single best product for everyone. Your anatomy, medical history and goals help guide the choice.
Fillers involve risks, including bruising, swelling, infection and lumps. Rare complications can include blocked blood vessels, tissue injury and vision loss. The FDA’s filler safety information explains these risks. Discuss them with a qualified clinician before treatment.
Common questions about hyaluronic acid
Does it replace moisturizer?
Not necessarily. A serum and moisturizer can complement each other. If your skin still feels tight, review the rest of your routine rather than simply adding more serum.
Can I use it every day?
Many formulas support daily use, but follow the specific product directions. Your skin’s tolerance and any recent procedures also matter.
Should I take a supplement instead?
Oral supplements and topical products are different approaches. Do not assume they provide the same benefits. If you are considering a supplement, discuss your goals, medications and health history with a qualified healthcare professional.
Will it remove deep wrinkles?
Hydration may soften the look of fine lines caused by dryness. However, it does not remove every type of wrinkle. A consultation can help you understand whether skincare alone matches your goals.
Build a routine that suits your skin
A useful routine should be easy to follow and comfortable to use. Bring your current product list to BC Laser & Skincare so we can help you identify gaps or unnecessary overlap. You can also explore our guide to retinol and guide to choosing sunscreen.
For skincare advice in Surrey, contact BC Laser & Skincare or call 604-580-2464. Find us at 13805 104th Avenue, Suite #101, Surrey, BC.