How to layer a hyaluronic acid serum
When it comes to skin care, there are many ingredients that play a decisive role when it comes to treating your skin. Hyaluronic acid is one of them, but for good reason, it doesn’t quite boast about the numerous skin benefits it offers, as its water-binding consistency is pretty impressive.
If you want to know all about hyaluronic acid and its benefits for your skin, you can read our dedicated blog post.
Let’s get into today’s focus and see how to layer a hyaluronic acid serum. So, let’s get started to learn more.
Can hyaluronic acid be layered?
Yes! The amazing thing about hyaluronic acid is that you can use it with just about anything. You see, you can combine this hydrating ingredient with some of the famous anti-aging superstars like retinol, vitamin C, and glycolic acid. All of these skin ingredients are incredibly effective; however, the downside is that they can cause irritation and allergies, especially if used incorrectly.
This is where hyaluronic acid comes into play and restores balance to the outer surface of the skin. It does this with the help of its hydrating properties, drawing water into the outer surface of the skin and holding it there. This means that the protective barrier remains fully functional and the skin remains moisturized and elastic all day long.
In what order should hyaluronic acid be applied?
The order in which hyaluronic acid is applied depends on the consistency of the product containing hyaluronic acid. For example, the basic rule of skin care is to use skin care products according to the formula, starting with the thinnest (i.e., cleansers and toners), moving on to light serums, and then moving on to thicker formulas such as facial oils, moisturizers, and creams.
Generally speaking, you will find hyaluronic acid mixed into serum and moisturizer formulas for use later in your daily skin care routine. You may find that any signs of irritation after using chemical exfoliants (such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid used previously) disappear with the help of a serum rich in hyaluronic acid. As for the active ingredients applied to the skin after using hyaluronic acid, not only is it quickly absorbed by the underlying layer, but it also causes minimal irritation to the skin.
How to add hyaluronic acid to your daily skin care routine?
As I mentioned earlier, moisturizers and serums are the most common forms of hyaluronic acid applied to the skin. This keeps the skin barrier in its healthiest state throughout the day. You should use hyaluronic acid twice a day, preferably after using cleanser and chemical exfoliant toner, while the skin is still damp. This is key to allowing hyaluronic acid to absorb every gram of water in the face and surrounding areas and lock it in place. Once the water is locked into the skin, the active ingredients used can work undisturbed, which means you can see their benefits in a shorter time.
The skin barrier also protects itself from damage caused by free radicals such as pollution, environmental impacts and UV rays. By limiting skin damage and correcting previous problems, you will get a healthy, balanced and radiant complexion.
What not to take with hyaluronic acid?
There are few to no ingredients that hyaluronic acid can be mixed with. Not only is it suitable for all skin types, even those prone to mild sensitivity, but it can also be incorporated into almost any skin care routine. Compared to other hydrating skin ingredients such as niacinamide, it has an impressive ability to bind the maximum amount of water to the skin.
As we age, we lose the ability to retain the right amount of water and oil in our skin barrier. It may come as a shock to you that even if we watch our water intake, we are unable to keep our skin hydrated throughout the day. In this case, the moisturizer hyaluronic acid can be very helpful. As with all ingredients in skincare, I recommend doing a patch test for more than 24 hours. This is the safest way to introduce hyaluronic acid into your daily routine. This way you can ensure that using a new skincare product will not disrupt your skin barrier or cause any signs of irritation. If you have any further concerns, it’s best to consult a doctor or dermatologist to ensure that the formula is right for you and your skin.
Can hyaluronic acid be used daily?
Anyway. In fact, I recommend using them twice a day, but no more than twice, because your skin can have too much of the good stuff. Believe it or not, you can use too much hyaluronic acid, and if you apply it to your skin too frequently, it can actually start to draw moisture away from the lower layers, causing the skin to become tight, dry, and uncomfortable.
By limiting use to twice a day, you can keep your skin hydrated and help other active ingredients reach the lower layers. This way, you get the best results for an overall improved, radiant complexion.
What is the order in which skincare products should be used?
As you already know from the previous section of this blog, consistency in skincare formulations needs to be considered when thinking about the best order to apply skincare products. Here are some examples of basic and effective morning and evening routines.
Morning Skin Care Routine
Cleansing (optional)
Toner – with glycolic or lactic acid
Serum – with hyaluronic acid
Eye cream
Moisturizer
SPF 30 and above
Evening Skin Care Routine
Makeup remover
Face cleanser
Toner – with glycolic and lactic acid
Serum – with hyaluronic acid
Eye cream
Face oil – with retinol
Moisturizer
As you can see, these are all examples of simple routines to keep your skin healthy and happy. However, everyone has different skin and it’s best to find the right ingredients and products that work best for your skin type.
Now you have a better idea of how to use a hyaluronic acid serum and how to best incorporate it into your skincare routine.If you have any questions, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and check out our new YouTube channel, The Green Sofa, for all your skincare tips. Come on, we’ve got a spot for you!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.