Hyaluronic acid has become one of the go-to products in skincare and has been included in everything from moisturizers to body washes. Though it is best known for improving skin tone and minimizing fine lines, there is growing interest in its ability to help with acne. Understanding how hyaluronic acid affects acne-prone skin can help you make informed decisions about your own skincare routine.
Understanding Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance produced by our bodies and primarily found in the eyes, joints, and skin, where it provides moisture and lubrication. Synthetic forms of hyaluronic acid offer numerous health benefits, ranging from increased mobility in arthritic knees to helping heal wounds. Its ability to dramatically improve skin hydration has made it a popular beauty ingredient in topical creams.
What Is HA and How Does It Function in Skin Care?
Hyaluronic acid is what’s known in the scientific world as a glycosaminoglycan. In skin care, it works as a powerful humectant — a substance that holds moisture. One 2021 study evaluating the effectiveness of a topical HA serum found that it increased skin hydration by 55% after six weeks of twice-daily use. The women in the trial, aged 30 to 65, also saw improvement in skin smoothness and plumping, and some lessening of fine lines.
The Role of HA in Maintaining the Skin Barrier
The skin barrier is your body's natural protective shield. It is the topmost layer of your skin and functions like a fortified wall to lock in essential moisture and help to block harmful environmental elements.
Hyaluronic acid contributes to the effectiveness of the skin’s natural barrier by attracting and retaining significant amounts of water. By helping to maintain optimal hydration levels, it strengthens the barrier’s function. You can think of hyaluronic acid as a moisture magnet, helping keep your skin's protective barrier plump, strong, and better equipped to defend against daily stressors.
The Relationship Between Hyaluronic Acid and Acne
Hyaluronic acid is not an acne treatment, but it offers multiple benefits for acne-prone skin. Its remarkable ability to keep skin hydrated helps reduce inflammation, prevents bacteria and irritants from penetrating the skin, and may help regulate oil production.
Does Hyaluronic Acid Cause Acne or Help Prevent It?
Topical hyaluronic acid helps create an environment where skin can heal and regulate itself more effectively, aiding in the prevention of acne. Though some people believe hyaluronic acid causes breakouts, its molecular structure makes it non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores. If you’ve experienced breakouts after using a product with hyaluronic acid, your skin probably responded to other ingredients in the cream or serum.
How Hyaluronic Acid Affects Sebum Production and Skin Hydration
Sebum is a natural oil produced by the skin's sebaceous glands. When your skin produces too much of it, it can mix with dead skin cells and create clogged pores and acne. There are many reasons why the skin can overproduce sebum, but it’s often a response to the skin becoming dehydrated. By maintaining proper skin hydration, hyaluronic acid can help normalize sebum production.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid for Acne-Prone Skin
If you have acne-prone skin, using hyaluronic acid can make a real difference. It delivers deep hydration without adding oils or heavy emollients that can clog pores, and by keeping your skin well-hydrated, it helps regulate moisture levels, preventing the overproduction of sebum that can make acne worse.
Hydration Without Clogging Pores
One of the biggest advantages of hyaluronic acid for those with acne-prone skin is its ability to provide deep hydration without contributing to pore congestion. Dry skin is more easily inflamed and irritated, making it vulnerable to bacteria and other stressors that can make breakouts more frequent.
Supporting Skin Healing and Reducing Inflammation
Hyaluronic acid also helps heal wounds. It has been shown to support tissue regeneration, which means that it can help reduce the inflammation associated with active acne. By supporting the skin's natural healing processes, it also has the potential to reduce the likelihood of acne scars forming.
Incorporating Hyaluronic Acid into Your Acne Treatment Routine
Acne skincare basics include cleansing with a gentle face wash, then applying a hydrating serum, medicated acne treatment, and sun protection. Topical hyaluronic acid is an excellent choice for hydration during acne therapy and beyond.
Choosing the Right Hyaluronic Acid Products for Your Skin Type
Different skin types require different approaches to hyaluronic acid use. People with sensitive or oily, acne-prone skin will do best using lighter topical formulations, while higher concentrations are appropriate for people who want to reduce fine lines and/or a loss of firmness and tone. Your dermatologist is the best person to ask for guidance on the right treatment for you.
Combining Hyaluronic Acid with Other Acne Treatments
Topical hyaluronic acid works well when combined with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids. Its use can help offset the drying effects of these acne-fighting ingredients, making it an excellent complement to whatever treatment regimen your dermatologist has recommended.
Addressing Acne Scars with Hyaluronic Acid
Acne scars are either permanent indentations or raised areas on the skin caused by inflammation and damage to the skin's deeper layers. Studies have shown that acne scars can be treated using hyaluronic acid as a topical application.
Comparing Hyaluronic Acid with Other Acids in Acne Treatment
Is Salicylic Acid or Hyaluronic Acid Better for Acne?
While both acids serve important functions in skin care, salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid work differently and have different uses. Salicylic acid is an exfoliant that penetrates deep into pores to remove excess oil and dead skin cells, while hyaluronic acid supports overall skin health through hydration. Many people use both as part of a comprehensive skincare routine.
Common Questions About Hyaluronic Acid and Acne
Is Hyaluronic Acid Beneficial for Popped Pimples?
People with acne-prone skin should avoid picking or applying pressure to pimples to prevent making them look worse, as well as causing long-term damage. Still, hyaluronic acid can help support healing and potentially reduce scarring for a pimple that has been popped.
Can People with Oily Skin Use Hyaluronic Acid?
If you have oily skin, hyaluronic acid is a good choice because it provides oil-free hydration. As mentioned, it’s also noncomedogenic and helps regulate sebum production, improving overall skin health without clogging pores.
Working with a Piction Dermatologist
Piction dermatologists understand how hyaluronic acid works to support the skin barrier and incorporate it into skincare treatments for those with acne-prone skin. For immediate help from a professional who cares, contact us today.
