[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/08\/hyaluronic-acid-benefits-skin\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/08\/hyaluronic-acid-benefits-skin\/","headline":"What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do for Skin?","name":"What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do for Skin?","description":"

Hyaluronic acid is an active ingredient that appears in many skin care products. Learn about its benefits, including hydrating skin, healing wounds, and more.<\/p>","datePublished":"2025-08-29","dateModified":"2025-12-04","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/dermatology-regions","name":"Dermatology","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/dermatology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/dermatology\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-1413660973-e1755890683209.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-1413660973-e1755890683209.jpg","height":866,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/08\/hyaluronic-acid-benefits-skin\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Skin Care"],"wordCount":1683,"articleBody":"Keeping your skin hydrated and healthy benefits your skin and your overall health. And one active ingredient that can help is hyaluronic acid.Hyaluronic acid helps to lock in moisture, keeping your skin hydrated, fresh, and healthy. It can also help with wound healing, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and more. It’s why hyaluronic acid has become a popular ingredient in skin care.“Hyaluronic acid is probably one of the most popular actives that is used across the board by many, many different people and skin types,” says Rebecca Valudes, lead medical aesthetician, UPMC in Central Pa.“It’s a very powerful hydrating ingredient. It’s in a lot of skin care products these days.”Discover the benefits of hyaluronic acid for the skin and learn how it can be effectively utilized.What Is Hyaluronic Acid?Hyaluronic acid is a gooey substance that occurs naturally in the human body. It can bind to water, holding many times its molecular weight in water.Outside the body, hyaluronic acid can be formulated into substances that can address many cosmetic or medical concerns. Hyaluronic acid treatments are available for knee pain, dry eyes, and more. It can be injected, taken by pill, inhaled, or used topically.Hyaluronic acid is used in a variety of skin care products. You can find hyaluronic serums, creams, lotions, and more.\u201cFor anyone who wants added hydration, it’s an ingredient that almost anyone can use,” Rebecca says.How Does Hyaluronic Acid Benefit Your Skin?Hyaluronic acid offers a wide range of benefits for the skin, from hydration to wound healing.Keeps skin hydratedBecause hyaluronic acid can hold so much water compared to its molecular weight, it helps your skin retain water.\u201cIt prevents what they call transepidermal water loss, which is essentially dehydration in the skin,” Rebecca says. “When you’re able to bind the water to the skin, your skin stays hydrated longer, so it appears more plumped, smoother. It just looks healthier overall.”Hyaluronic acid helps maintain the integrity of the skin barrier, the outermost layer of the skin. The skin barrier protects your body from bacteria, ultraviolet light, and other external damage.Wound healingHyaluronic acid can play a role across the four stages of wound healing, from controlling inflammation to promoting tissue regeneration. That makes compounds containing hyaluronic acid valuable for treating burns, bleeding wounds, and chronic wounds. Hyaluronic acid can help promote healthy wound healing and prevent or reduce scarring.Reduces signs of agingOur body produces less hyaluronic acid as we age, especially on the epidermis \u2014 the outer layer of the skin. This decrease can lead to signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. By helping the skin retain moisture, hyaluronic acid can help reduce those signs of aging.Hyaluronic acid can also help the production of collagen and elastin.Collagen and elastin, which the body makes naturally, help the skin stay firm, flexible, and healthy. However, we produce less collagen and elastin as we age, leading to signs of aging. Damage from ultraviolet (UV) light can exacerbate those signs. Hyaluronic acid can help stimulate the synthesis of collagen and elastin, helping to ward off signs of aging.Hyaluronic acid can be used topically or in injectable fillers to reduce signs of aging. When used in fillers, it can help plump areas of the face that have lost volume due to aging, making those areas of the face look more youthful.Reducing acne scarsHyaluronic acid can be used as a filler to help add volume and reduce the appearance of acne scars on the skin.How Should Hyaluronic Acid Be Used?You should follow the specific instructions for use of your product, but many hyaluronic acid products can be used in the morning and at night.When to apply the product depends on the type of product and what else you’re using in your skin care routine. The general rule is to apply products from thinnest to thickest. So, if you’re using a hyaluronic acid serum, you should apply it first (after cleansing your skin). If you’re using a moisturizer or lotion, apply it last.You can often see some results of topical hyaluronic acid quickly, Rebecca says. The skin typically looks plumper, fresher, and more hydrated. But for the full benefits, consistency \u2014 everyday use \u2014 is key.You can apply most hyaluronic acid products at home. However, if you’re considering a hyaluronic acid filler, it’s important to visit a licensed professional, such as a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.Are There Any Side Effects of Hyaluronic Acid?Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body, and it is gentle on the skin. Side effects of topical hyaluronic acid may include mild skin irritation.Fillers with hyaluronic acid may cause some side effects to the skin, including:BruisingItchingPainRednessSwellingThese side effects are temporary, typically lasting under a week.Who Shouldn’t Use Hyaluronic Acid?People who have a history of allergic reactions to hyaluronic acid products shouldn’t use them. Also, the safety of hyaluronic acid during pregnancy is not fully known.Otherwise, hyaluronic acid should fit most skin types. People with oily, acne-prone skin should use oil-free products, Rebecca says.“You have to approach it cautiously with an acne skin type, but it doesn’t mean they can’t use it,” Rebecca says. “It just can’t be in a heavy moisturizer. It needs to be more in a gel form.”Which Hyaluronic Acid Product Is Right for Me?Everyone’s skin is different, so the right product depends on your specific skin type. Different skin types might benefit from different concentrations \u2014 for example, someone with sensitive skin may benefit from a product that has less than 1% hyaluronic acid.A wide range of hyaluronic acid products is available on the market. Consulting a licensed professional, such as a dermatologist, can help you determine a skin care regimen that’s right for you.“Every individual is different,” Rebecca says. “There are many different skin types, different skin issues, and skin goals. I love to make recommendations and put people on a regimen.”Overall, Rebecca says hyaluronic acid can be a valuable part of skin care routines.“It is not going to change the skin overnight, but it is going to almost give you that instant gratification, with having your skin feel more hydrated, plumped, and just looking overall smoother,” she says.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on August 29, 2025, and was last reviewed on October 22, 2025.SourcesBruna Bravo, Priscila Correia, Jos\u00e9 Euz\u00e9bio Gon\u00e7alves Junior, et al, Dermatologic Therapy, Benefits of Topical Hyaluronic Acid for Skin Quality and Signs of Skin Aging: From Literature Review to Clinical Evidence. Accessed July 2025. Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence - Bravo - 2022 - Dermatologic Therapy - Wiley Online Library LinkYan-Wen Ding, Ze-Yu Wang, Zi-Wei Ren, et al, Royal Society of Chemistry, Advances in Modified Hyaluronic Acid-Based Hydrogels for Skin Wound Healing. Accessed July 2025. Advances in modified hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels for skin wound healing - Biomaterials Science (RSC Publishing) DOI:10.1039\/D2BM00397J LinkJoseph Frenkel, International Wound Journal, The Role of Hyaluronan in Wound Healing. Accessed July 2025. The role of hyaluronan in wound healing - PMC LinkAnjali Sharad Ghatge and Sharad Balasaheb Ghatge, Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, The Effectiveness of Injectable Hyaluronic Acid in the Improvement of the Facial Skin Quality: A Systematic Review. Accessed July 2025. Full article: The Effectiveness of Injectable Hyaluronic Acid in the Improvement of the Facial Skin Quality: A Systematic Review LinkJoo Hee Lee, MD, Jemin Kim, MD, Yun Na Lee, et al, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, The Efficacy of Intradermal Hyaluronic Acid Filler as a Skin Quality Booster: A Prospective, Single-Center, Single-Arm Pilot Study. Accessed July 2025. The efficacy of intradermal hyaluronic acid filler as a skin quality booster: A prospective, single\u2010center, single\u2010arm pilot study - Lee - 2024 - Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology - Wiley Online Library LinkJoseph Mehrabi, MD, Waseem Shehadeh, MD, Elisa S. Gallo, MD, et al, Dermatologic Surgery, Comparison of 2 Hyaluronic Acid-based Fillers for the Treatment of Acne Scars: Structural Lifting Versus Biostimulatory Effect. Accessed July 2025. Dermatologic Surgery LinkLindsay Modglin, Forbes, What Is Hyaluronic Acid? Benefits, Uses And More. Accessed July 2025. Hyaluronic Acid: Benefits, Uses And More \u2013 Forbes Health LinkGeewoo Nam, PhD, Hye Won Lee, JiSung Jang MS, et al, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Novel Conformation of Hyaluronic Acid with Improved Cosmetic Efficacy. Accessed July 2025. Novel conformation of hyaluronic acid with improved cosmetic efficacy - Nam - 2023 - Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology - Wiley Online Library LinkChang Ni, Zijun Zhang, Yuling Wang, et al, Journal of Controlled Release, Hyaluronic Acid and HA-modified Cationic Liposomes for Promoting Skin Penetration and Retention. Accessed July 2025. Hyaluronic acid and HA-modified cationic liposomes for promoting skin penetration and retention - ScienceDirect LinkSamay Parmal, Praveen Subbappa, Vaidehi Nikam, et al, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Hyaluronic Acid Based Approaches for Wound Healing: A Comprehensive Review. Accessed July 2025. Hyaluronic acid based approaches for wound healing: A comprehensive review - PubMed LinkLin Shang, Man Li, Anjian Xu, and Fenglin Zhuo, Medicine in Novel Technology and Devices, Recent Applications and Molecular Mechanisms of Hyaluronic Acid in Skin Aging and Wound Healing. Accessed July 2025. Recent applications and molecular mechanisms of hyaluronic acid in skin aging and wound healing - ScienceDirect LinkKuncham Sudhakar, Seong min Ji, Madhusudhana Rao Kummara, and Sung Soo Han, Pharmaceutics, Recent Progress on Hyaluronan-Based Products for Wound Healing Applications. Accessed July 2025. Recent Progress on Hyaluronan-Based Products for Wound Healing Applications - PMC LinkYu Tian, Fei Jiang, Haijiao Xie, et al, Advanced Healthcare Materials, Conductive Hyaluronic Acid\/Deep Eutectic Solvent Composite Hydrogel as a Wound Dressing for Promoting Skin Burn Healing Under Electrical Stimulation. Accessed July 2025. Conductive Hyaluronic Acid\/Deep Eutectic Solvent Composite Hydrogel as a Wound Dressing for Promoting Skin Burn Healing Under Electrical Stimulation - Tian - 2024 - Advanced Healthcare Materials - Wiley Online Library LinkKendra Walker, Brandon M. Basehore, Amandeep Goyal, and Patrick M. Zito, StatPearls, Hyaluronic Acid. Accessed July 2025. Hyaluronic Acid - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2025","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do for Skin?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/08\/hyaluronic-acid-benefits-skin\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]