Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient for hydration, very popular for dry skin treatments, But is hyaluronic acid good for acne? In fact this popular ingredient is suitable for all skin types, as it moisturizes, firms sagging skin, delays and minimizes fine lines.
In this article, let’s take a look at how to use hyaluronic acid for acne prone skin, covering the best ways to have this ingredient in your skincare routine!
What’s Hyaluronic Acid Good For?
Hyaluronic acid will lock in moisture, and it’s a great ingredient to leave your skin hydrated and uniform.Consequently, when the skin is hydrated, it will delay signs of age and sagness.
Our skin produces collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA) naturally, but the organism starts to diminish its production, around 25 years old. Overtime, the loss of HA can lead to fine lines, wrinkles and sageness. Additionally, the skin can get dull and opaque.
Is Hyaluronic Acid Good For Acne?
Yes. Acne prone skin, in many cases, is a result of excess sebum that clog the pores, causing acne, pinpoint and spots. However, there are cases when the person has dry skin and still has acne. In each scenario, the use of hyaluronic acid can be very effective.
I have oily acne prone skin, and I am using Hyaluronic acid from time to time. I love how the skin gets uniform and I also notice improvements on skin texture and I look very refreshed.
At the peace that hyaluronic acid retains water, leaving your skin healthier and balanced, it is indicated for all skin types. As we all produce HA naturally and stop producing at a certain age, it is a good idea to use hyaluronic acid, despite your skin type.
By leaving your skin hydrated and balanced, hyaluronic acid will provide a healthier skin and consequently prevent acne as well as help vanish existing pinpoints.
Is hyaluronic acid good for acne Scarring?
Yes. There are quite a few scientific studies relating the efficacy of hyaluronic acid while treating acne scars. I can mention a particular study conducted by Christine Dierickx 1, Markus K Larsson 2, Stina Blomster 2 in which 12 participants suffering with moderate-to-severe acne scars used hyaluronic acid for four weeks with great results.
In this particular case, the patients used hyaluronic acid gel injections, which seems to be more effective in these cases, than products for topical use. But you can still try these topical products for manutention and prevention, depending on the degree of the scars.
Can Hyaluronic Acid Cause Acne And Oiliness?
Hyaluronic Acid won’t cause acne and oiliness. To the contrary this will hydrate and control sebum, unclog pores and leave your skin healthy and treated. However, there are some precautions you need to take, if you have oily acne prone skin. Down below I’m sharing a few tips to help you pick your products.
How To Pick Hyaluronic Acid For Acne Prone Skin
For example, give preferences to lightweight moisturizers and specifically, choose gel and serum formulas, which are thinner, less likely to clog pores, therefore more indicated for acne prone skin.
Choose an oil-free gel or serum formulas, give preference to matte finish foundations, sunscreens and treatments, pay attention to the texture of the product, if it is dry touch.
Apart from that, always look for products labeled as non comedogenic, which are tested and tried, deliberately created with the intention of not clogging your pores.
If you are not sure if a product will work for you or not, then you should not hesitate to do a patch test, which is by far the best way to understand if a product will work for you or not.
Patch Testing
It is very simple to do patch testing. You can just add a little bit of the product on the skin behind your ears, which is a good sensible area that is hidden, and wait 48 hours to see what happens. If everything is ok, go ahead and use the product on your face.
How To Use HA For Acne [Simple Way]
If you have acne prone skin, it is a good idea to use a high quality, reputable serum treatment. You can also combine HA with other ingredients such as niacinamide and vitamin C to potentialize the effects.
By mixing Niacinamide serum with hyaluronic acid serum, you can have hydration and double effectiveness in sebum control and anti-aging treatment.
Down below you have a simple morning and night routine including Hyaluronic Acid to treat acne prone skin:
- Wash your face with gentle cleanser
- Apply hyaluronic serum and let it dry. At this point, I believe this is a good idea to add another serum such as niacinamide to potentialize your acne treatment.
- Apply a lightweight hydrating moisturizer
Does Hyaluronic Acid Cause Purging?
Hyaluronic acid is a safe ingredient that doesn’t cause purge, as a rule of thumb. However each organism can react differently in different bodies, so it is possible that someone may be allergic to this ingredient. Make a patch test or consult your dermatologist to assure you won’t have any bad surprises.
Hyaluronic Acid Side Effects
If you are using a pure hyaluronic acid serum with the right dosage, it is not likely that you will experience side-effects. But as I said, if something strange like redness and itchiness happens, you should stop using it immediately.
Additionally, have in mind that some products that contain hyaluronic acid may be combined with other ingredients that may not be a good fit for oily, and acne prone skin, such as lanolin and silicon.
Also, make sure to buy products that are free from alcohol, parabens and sulfates.
Now, if you are in the middle of a radiation therapy treatment, or if you have skin problems such as scleroderma, do not use hyaluronic acid, as it can worsen your condition. Always make sure to consult a dermatologist regularly for dedicated advice.
Alternatives To Using Hyaluronic Acid For Acne Prone Skin
If you want to try other ingredients, in this session let’s talk about some alternatives that are great for acne treatment and prevention:
- Salicylic acid: Is anti-inflammatory great for unclogging pores, preventing acne and breakouts.
- Benzoyl Peroxide: Is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and unclog pores
- Retinoids: Regulates skincell turnovers, is anti-inflammatory and unclog pores
- Tea tree oil: is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
- Azelaic acid: anti-inflammatory, combats the growth of bacteria that causes acne
- Niacinamide: Control sebum and shine and is anti-inflammatory and prevents breakout
Hyaluronic Acid Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it OK to use hyaluronic acid every day?
Yes, you can use hyaluronic acid every day in your morning (AM) and evening (PM) routine.
2. Does hyaluronic acid brighten skin?
You can notice brightening effects if you use hyaluronic acid continuously, as it can treat dark spots, pigmentation, even skin tone, and improve skin texture.
3. What’s better, retinol or hyaluronic acid?
If you want something more powerful to treat wrinkles and advanced signs of age, then it is better to incorporate retinol to your skin care. If you are dealing with early signs of age and want to prevent this, then you can opt for hyaluronic acid, over retinol.
4. Is it OK to use retinol and hyaluronic acid together?
Yes, it is safe to use retinol and hyaluronic acid together, as they complement each other’s effects and potentialize the benefits of your skincare routine, providing hydration and anti-aging effects.
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