Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Is It All Hype?

Why Use a Hyaluronic Acid Serum?

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in the body, and one of its main responsibilities is maintaining the skin's moisture and water retention capacity^[5].

By keeping the skin hydrated and moist, it makes for a great anti-aging ingredient^[6]. It effectively diminishes fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improve skin firmness and elasticity^[7].

Key Ingredients to Look for in Hyaluronic Acid Serums

Hyaluronic acid serums may contain one or more additional ingredients, but the following are said to be the ones that work best with the star ingredient:

• Vitamin C - This antioxidant vitamin helps protect the skin against free radical damage. It also stimulates the production of collagen^[8], the skin's key structural protein. Increased collagen plumps up the skin, making it appear softer, smoother, and more youthful. Furthermore, like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C also has some damage repair properties^[9] and using these two together produce much better results when it comes to repairing age-related skin damage.
• Vitamin E - Also an antioxidant^[10] vitamin with the added benefits of moisturizing and nourishing the skin. It also has some anti-inflammatory and potential damage repair properties. Dermatologists often recommended them to individuals who just underwent skin resurfacing or surgery.
• Retinol - Despite its effective anti-aging properties, this vitamin A derivative can be quite harsh to the skin (source). Side effects such as irritation, dryness, flaking, and redness often discourage patients from continuous usage. Thus, experts suggest using a retinol product with hyaluronic acid in it. Hyaluronic acid hydrates, soothes, and calms irritated skin without interfering with the effects of retinol.
• Peptides - Like hyaluronic acid and also the ingredients listed above, peptides are also a staple in many skincare products, particularly anti-aging products (source). Their main function is to induce collagen production, but they also have this powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and even potential antimicrobial properties.

Do Hyaluronic Acid Serums Work?

There have been a lot of studies on the benefits of hyaluronic acid and they all seem to agree that it works. That's a good reason to believe that this compound can do wonders on the skin, but it is still suggested that you consult your dermatologist to find the right product for you.

What are the Side Effects of Hyaluronic Acid Serums?

Hyaluronic acid is a well-studied compound and the fact that it naturally occurs in the body makes it very unlikely to cause adverse reactions. This is not to say that hyaluronic acid serums are absolutely free of side effects. Some potential side effects include dizziness, headaches, itching, and tingling. Allergic reactions are also possible, particularly in hyaluronic acid derived from animal sources. Take note that these side effects are often observed in hyaluronic acid injections (source).

Those who have a history of cancer must stay away from hyaluronic acid serums and other hyaluronic acid products. That's because hyaluronic acid, in theory, can promote cell growth and increase susceptibility to cancer recurrence.

How to Choose the Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums?

There are numerous brands of hyaluronic acid serums available and you should base your pick on what additional ingredients it comes with. For that, you need to be aware of what your skin needs are, which you will find out with the help of your trusted skin specialist.

Also, you need to consider the manufacturer's reputation, as well as the reviews about the product. Once you've picked your product, be sure to read the label carefully before using it.

The Bottom Line

Hyaluronic acid offers so many benefits, which makes it a favorite not only in skin health but also in other health concerns as well.

It is very accessible and can be purchased even without prescription. Still, we suggest that you consult your dermatologist to find which products suit your skin type and needs the most.