Hyaluronic acid is skincare's most reliable hydrator — but how you use a hyaluronic acid serum makes the difference between plump, dewy skin and a tight, tacky finish. Here's the simple way.
What hyaluronic acid does
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a humectant: it draws water into the surface of your skin and holds it there, so skin looks plumper, smoother and bouncier. Multi-weight formulas use several sizes of HA to hydrate at different depths of the skin's surface.
How to use it (the step most people miss)
Apply your HA serum to damp skin — right after cleansing, before your skin fully dries. HA pulls in the water that's already there, so damp skin gives it something to hold. Then seal it with a moisturizer to lock the hydration in. In dry air, always follow with a cream — otherwise HA can pull moisture from deeper skin.
Morning and night
Press 2–3 drops into damp skin, morning and night. It layers under everything, including SPF and makeup.
What to pair it with
HA plays well with almost everything. Layer a snail mucin serum first for extra comfort, then HA, then moisturizer.
Our take
A good HA serum is the quiet workhorse of a considered routine — which is why ours uses four weights of hyaluronic acid. See the Hyaluronic Acid Serum.
FAQ
Wet or dry skin? Damp skin, then seal with moisturizer.
Every day? Yes, morning and night.
HA or snail mucin first? Snail mucin first, then hyaluronic acid, then moisturizer.