Hero banner with four face serums on a grey background. Serums are two bottles of Vitamin C and two bottles of Hyaluronic Acid. Hero serum banner. Grey background, four bottles of face serum: two hyaluronic acid and two vitamin c serum.

Everything you should know about hyaluronic acid

From sheet masks to serums, hyaluronic acid products may hold the key to a smooth, hydrated, and dewy complexion. But what is hyaluronic acid and why is it so popular? First of all, don’t let the ‘acid’ part of that sentence scare you! Naturally produced by your body, hyaluronic acid is a water-holding molecule that replenishes skin, keeping it fresh and healthy. We’ve got the lowdown on hyaluronic acid skincare, so read on to find out how it all works.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar (technically, it’s a glycosaminoglycan) that is found naturally in our skin. It holds up to a thousand times its own weight in moisture, keeping your tissues healthy and well lubricated. In short, it’s a magnet for all things moist, helping to make your skin look and feel plump and hydrated.

How does hyaluronic acid help your skin?

If your body already produces hyaluronic acid, why do you need to add it to your skincare routine? Great question! But there’s a simple answer. Our bodies simply make less of it as we age, leading to everything from moisture loss to fine lines.

So, how does hyaluronic acid help your skin? From soothing to restoring the skin barrier, there are plenty of reasons. Here’s why you might want to top up your levels with hyaluronic acid products:

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1. Hydration


Hyaluronic acid earns its well-deserved reputation as a mega-moisturiser. It’s a humectant, which means it pulls water molecules into the skin like a sponge. In fact, a single gram of hyaluronic acid can hold up to six litres of water, making it a true must-have for anyone suffering from dry or dehydrated skin.


2. Anti-ageing


Hyaluronic acid gives a rejuvenating, skin-plumping effect without any need for injectables. By increasing the skin’s water content and volume, this gold-star hydrator helps penetrate deeply to fill in fine lines and wrinkles. It also tightens your complexion for a fresher, more youthful appearance.


3. Soothing and anti-redness


Redness and irritation are often caused by dry skin, which is why hydration holds the key to a calm complexion. Hyaluronic acid also has soothing properties.


4. Reduce high pigmentation


By intensely hydrating your skin, hyaluronic acid helps restore the barrier for healthier, more vibrant cells. Pro tip: combine it with pigmentation-reducing vitamin C for best results.


Is hyaluronic acid good for sensitive skin?


Absolutely! This ingredient is gentle enough for all skin types – including those with sensitive or easily irritated skin. If your skin is particularly sensitive, it’s always a good idea to integrate new products slowly and carefully into your routine to see how they feel.


Hyaluronic acid plays well with other ingredients, too. You can pair it with vitamins, peels, retinols, and other acids to step up your skincare game. But it’s worth remembering that there are a few exceptions – especially if you have sensitive skin. Acids with low pH levels, such as glycolic acid, may degrade hyaluronic acid and make it ineffective. It’s probably best to steer clear of those sorts of products when you’re planning your routine.


Hyaluronic acid in skincare


Here at Garnier, we’ve got a range of skincare products centred around hyaluronic acid, so you can mix and match until you find the perfect combo!


Multitasking moisturisers:


Because hyaluronic acid works with so many other ingredients, you’ll find it used as a hydrator in targeted treatments. If you’re on the hunt for a good anti-ageing product that includes hyaluronic acid serum benefits, why not try our Garnier Organic Lavandin & Hyaluronic Acid 2-in-1 Serum Cream? It blends moisturising hyaluronic acid serum with skin-renewing lavandin oil in a lightweight, skin-plumping cream.


Everyday hydration:


Bring out your inner glow with Garnier’s Hyaluronic Aloe Replumping Face Serum, infused with 3% hyaluronic acid and refreshing aloe vera. To make the most of the hyaluronic acid serum benefits, apply one full dropper and massage it gently into your face and eye contours. It’s gentle enough to use every day, leaving your skin plumped up and well-hydrated.

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Another hydrator that you can use day and night is our Hyaluronic Aloe Daily Moisturising Jelly. It’s super refreshing with a cooling gel texture, too.

Clever cleansing:

While harsh cleansers can strip natural oils from the skin, Garnier Hyaluronic Aloe Foam Cleanser quenches while it cleans. It comes in a refreshing whip foam formula that goes deep into the pores to remove impurities. Our Garnier hyaluronic aloe foam also leaves skin feeling soothed and moisturised thanks to added organic aloe vera.

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Skin-soothing sheet masks:

Of course, one of the best tried-and-true ways to treat yourself is with hyaluronic acid masks. A ‘DIY’ mix-it-yourself sheet mask, the Garnier Fresh-Mix Face Sheet Shot Mask With Hyaluronic Acid can help make your skin feel smoother and bouncier.

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For those seeking a night-time option, the Moisture Bomb Night-Time Face Tissue Mask – enriched with hyaluronic acid and deep-sea water – could be ideal. It’s super-hydrating and helps to repair your skin barrier and soothe tired skin before sleep. Simply use it 15 minutes before you go to bed to leave your skin feeling refreshed and hydrated.


Want a simple option? Garnier Moisture Bomb Pomegranate Hydrating Face Sheet Mask Dehydrated Skin 32g could be just what you’re looking for.


If you want to target your eyes with a burst of cooling menthol freshness, try our Hyaluronic Cryo Jelly Eye Patches. These reduce visible signs of fatigue, leaving you looking – and feeling – refreshed. Take it a step further with our Cryo Jelly Anti-Fatigue Sheet Mask, designed with a jelly texture that hugs the contours of your face like a second skin. It reduces temperature by -7°C for an instant pick-me-up.

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Even when you’ve had your eight hours of beauty sleep, pesky eye bags and dark circles can crop up! Battle them with a moisture hit from our Garnier Coconut Water & Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Bomb Eye Sheet Mask, which acts as a hydration wrap to replump and tighten delicate undereye skin.

Hyaluronic acid for bodycare

Give your body a little TLC too with Garnier Body Superfood Watermelon & Hyaluronic Acid. This skin-quenching formula absorbs quickly thanks to its soothing gel-cream texture, leaving your skin feeling soft and hydrated for up to 48 hours.

Timing is everything when it comes to skincare, so once you’ve identified the hyaluronic acid cream or sheet mask that works for you, it’s important to use it properly. There are many different day and night creams or sheet masks that include hyaluronic acid, and you can use it any time of the day or night. However, applying hydrating products in the morning gives them time to work as you go about your day.


Interested in seeing these hyaluronic acid benefits for yourself? Find Garnier’s best products for your skin.