The benefits of hyaluronic acid for the skin are no longer a skin care industry secret. With almost instant visible hydration, minimal risk of skin irritation and some serious scientific backing, hyaluronic acid has wide appeal. Whether you have dry, dehydrated or oily skin, every skin type and condition can benefit from an added dose of hydration. Read on to discover a step-by-step skin care routine designed to plump and hydrate.
Key Takeaways
- Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that pulls water into the skin, helping visibly plump dehydrated skin and support a stronger barrier.
- Applying hyaluronic acid to damp skin prevents moisture loss and delivers deeper, longer-lasting hydration compared to applying it on dry skin.
- Eminence Organic Skin Care’s Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex combines low and medium molecular weight HA with marshmallow root to hydrate the surface and deeper layers of the skin.
- A complete routine that includes cleansing, exfoliation, toner, essence, serum, hydrator and eye cream helps maximize HA absorption and visibly improves dry or dehydrated skin.
- Consistent use of the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic products helps reduce the look of fine lines, restore moisture balance and maintain a plump, healthy-looking complexion.
Why You Need Hyaluronic Acid in Your Skin Care Routine
What is hyaluronic acid (HA) and why is it essential for a glowy, dewy look? HA is a sugar that naturally occurs in the skin and helps it retain moisture, keeping the complexion hydrated and slowing the signs of aging. HA is also a humectant, capable of holding over one thousand times its weight in water. Put simply by EverydayHealth.com, HA “works to attract and bind to water molecules and increase the water content of the skin,” which is how your skin almost instantly looks plump after just one application. Hyaluronic acid’s hydration capabilities are its number one draw; when the surface of the skin is dry, it’s more likely to develop into wrinkly skin that shows the signs of aging. Dry, dehydrated skin is also a sign that the skin barrier has been compromised, which can make it more sensitive or vulnerable to breakouts or irritation. By adding HA to your routine, this substance transforms your complexion in the following ways:
- Plumps the skin to give it a smoother appearance
- Reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles
- Improves dry or dehydrated skin
- Keeps the skin barrier intact
Read the complete guide to HA here. You can also watch Eminence Organic Skin Care's Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar demonstrate a hydrating HA-packed skin care routine for thirsty skin:
How Long Does Hyaluronic Acid Take To Show Results?
Hyaluronic acid begins working almost immediately. After the first application, the skin often looks more hydrated and appears visibly plumper because HA binds water to the surface of the skin. With consistent use over one to two weeks, the complexion generally feels softer and smoother as deeper hydration builds. Over the next month, many people notice an improvement in the look of fine lines and a healthier moisture barrier.
Common Mistakes When Using Hyaluronic Acid
Even though HA is gentle and suitable for all skin types, a few common mistakes can limit results.
- Applying HA to dry skin, which can draw moisture out instead of pulling it in
- Skipping a moisturizer after applying HA
- Using too many exfoliating acids in the same routine
- Applying HA only in dry seasons instead of maintaining hydration year-round
Avoiding these habits helps the skin stay hydrated and reduces the risk of dryness or irritation.
Hyaluronic Acid for Different Skin Types
Hyaluronic acid benefits every skin type because it supports hydration without adding heaviness.
Dry or Dehydrated skin
Helps bind moisture to the skin and reduces the look of tightness and flaking.
Oily or Combination Skin
Hydrates without creating shine and helps balance the feel of the skin.
Sensitive or Reactive skin
Provides gentle moisture that supports the skin barrier and helps reduce the look of irritation.
Normal Skin
Keeps the complexion smooth and replenished while maintaining a healthy moisture balance.
How To Use Hyaluronic Acid Successfully
When adding HA to your skin care routine, it is important to remember that this ingredient pulls any moisture it can find into the surface of the skin. It’s not selective about the source and can even pull moisture from the deeper layers of the skin itself. So, to avoid drying out your skin, you should apply a HA product to a wet face. For best results, make sure you apply it almost immediately after you’ve cleansed, showered or dampened your face. This ensures the product will pull water from outside into the top layers of skin, instead of pulling moisture from within the skin itself. Then, enjoy maximum hydration and visibly healthy, glowing skin!
It’s an Acid … Will Hyaluronic Acid Sting or Tingle?
Absolutely not! While you may associate the word “acid” with an exfoliation process or an enzymatic skin care product that breaks down skin cells, HA is an extremely gentle substance that occurs naturally in the skin, eyes and joints.
On application, HA shouldn’t tingle or burn like other “acids” in the skin care game. HA is suitable and beneficial for all skin types and concerns — from oily to sensitive to breakout-prone. Having said that, we’d always recommend patch testing a new product to see if it works for your skin.
What Is Eminence’s Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex?
The unique Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex is composed of two parts, a multi-molecular weight hyaluronic acid and marshmallow root extract. The complex works to target and boost hydration at both the surface level and within the skin thanks to its:
- Low molecular weight HA, which absorbs into the skin and delivers deep hydration
- Medium molecular weight HA, which hydrates the surface and locks moisture in
- Marshmallow root which helps preserve moisture in the skin by having a preventative effect on the hyaluronidase enzyme responsible for HA degradation.
An 8-Step Hydration Packed Skin Care Routine
Step 1: Cleanse
Gently cleanse with a hydrating cleanser and some warm water. We love the Stone Crop Gel Wash because of its ability to gently wash away impurities without drying out the skin. The botanical extracts in the cleanser also help even skin tone and minimize the appearance of blemishes to leave a healthy-looking complexion.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Use the Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant to lightly exfoliate with lactic acid, gently breaking down dead skin cells to smooth the look of the skin. To use, dispense a dime-sized amount of the Dermafoliant to the palm of the hand, adding a half teaspoon of water. Rub your hands together to create a creamy paste and apply to the face using circular motions, careful to avoid the delicate areas around the eye. Leave for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly with water to remove.
Step 3: Tone
Quench the thirst of dry skin with a hydrating toner. Infused with hydrating stone crop juice, softening aloe and brightening bearberry, a spritz of this toner is a refreshing boost of hydration for the skin. Softly spray the Stone Crop Hydrating Mist once or twice onto the face and neck or apply with a cotton pad, avoiding the eye area. Leave it on.
Step 4: Mask
Apply the hyaluronic acid-rich Strawberry Rhubarb Masque around the face and décolleté, emulsifying with a few drops of water, to calm and plump the skin. Leave the mask on for at least five minutes (or longer if you like). Actor Busy Phillips said this product “smells like a strawberry milkshake,” and we absolutely agree. After sitting on the skin for a while, use a soft, lukewarm face cloth to gently remove the product, moving in circular motions. Finish with a rinse.
Product Picks
Step 5: Essence
Follow with a hydrating essence, such as the Birch Water Purifying Essence. Dispense a small amount of product into your hands or on a cotton pad and pat. Apply it onto cleansed skin. Formulated with botanical collagen and snow mushroom (which holds 500 times its weight in water!), this essence leaves the skin looking replenished. It also preps the skin so that it can absorb the benefits of the next steps in your routine.
Step 6: Treat
While the skin is still damp from the application of the essence, use a hyaluronic acid-rich serum, like our deliciously scented Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum to plump and smooth the skin. Apply to the face, neck and décolleté areas and leave it on.
Step 7: Moisturize
While your serum is still wet on the skin, support your skin’s moisture barrier by applying a layer of our Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Hydrator over the entire face, neck and décolleté area, leaving it to sink in. Providing deep absorption and instant hydration, this versatile hydrator can be applied in a lightweight layer, slathered more thickly over dry areas, or simply layered under your usual moisturizer.
Step 8: Eye Cream
Finish by depuffing the look of the skin around the eyes and delivering hydration with our Marine Flower Peptide Eye Cream, which plumps and protects the skin against transepidermal water loss. Use the fingertips to tap the cream very lightly around the eyes, locking in moisture and supporting the skin care moisture barrier around the delicate eye area.
BONUS! Step 9: Body Care
Soften tough body spots with our Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Body Lotion. Infused with aloe, strawberry and rhubarb, massage this quick-absorbing lotion into tough spots on the body, like the elbows or the knees. This lotion will help with improving dry, dehydrated or body skin with a quick hydration boost.
You can watch Natalie in this In The Mix video to learn even more about the benefits and uses of HA:
Have you noticed any difference after using HA in your skin care routine? Let us know in the comments below or on social media or check out the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Collection.
