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Hyaluronic Acid for Skin: Forms, Benefits & Routine

Discover everything you need to know about Hyaluronic Acid for skin; including what it is, its benefits, forms and face care routine.

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HYALURONIC ACID FOR SKIN OVERVIEW

Hyaluronic Acid, also known as Hyaluron or Hyaluronan, helps skin retain moisture and serves as an anti-ageing agent ingredient in care products. It comes in either a long-chain or short-chain form, which has different effects. Building a face care routine using products with Hyaluronic Acid can effectively smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

The NIVEA Cellular Range offers products containing Hyaluronic Acid to target signs of ageing skin.

WHAT IS HYALURONIC ACID?

Hyaluronic Acid is a gel-like substance that is naturally present in the human body, namely in the skin, joints, eyes and connective tissue. Capable of holding over 1,000 times its weight in water, it plays an important role in helping to retain moisture. Due to these properties, it works wonderfully as an anti-ageing component in face creams and serums to keep skin soft and supple. You may also see it under the names Hyaluron or Hyaluronan.
 
Hyaluronic Acid production declines as people age, leading to moisture loss, volume reduction, and fine lines. At around age 25, the skin's Hyaluronic Acid synthesis begins to slow, resulting in increased ageing signs.
 
Hyaluronic Acid is an important part of the skin and the synovial fluid – a main component of the joint fluid. If there are problems with the joints in old age, it might be used to help. Of course, you should discuss this with your doctor for tailored advice.

WHAT DOES HYALURONIC DO FOR THE SKIN

8 SKIN BENEFITS OF HYALURONIC ACID

  1. Moisturises the skin

    Hyaluronic Acid has the property to moisturise the skin. When applied on the skin, all of its layers absorb significant revitalising hydration from Hyaluronic Acid, which penetrates the skin and connects water to skin cells.

  2.  Defines contours
     
    It is quite normal for facial contours to soften as people age. The main cause of this is the skin losing Collagen and Elastin, which are the main components of the face’s skin structural integrity. The use of products containing Hyaluronic Acid help you to maintain firmness for longer, and make skin appear plumper.

  3. Plumps skin

    With age, the skin on the face loses its fullness. This is especially true on the cheeks and jawline. Concentrated formulas with Hyaluronic Acid act as a volume dispenser that can possibly help to plump cheeks and promote a more youthful appearance.

  4. Adds radiance:

    Hyaluronic Acid provides added hydration and fortifies the skin's protective barrier, contributing to a youthful complexion through improved cell health, and helping to boost natural radiance.

  5. Smooths skin

    While it is not possible to entirely prevent wrinkles as you age, you can influence how pronounced they become. Creams and serums with Hyaluronic Acid provide your skin with optimal moisture, reducing existing wrinkles and delaying the formation of new ones. These anti-wrinkle properties come from its ability to retain large amounts of water. Hyaluronic Acid helps skin stay moisturised, 'filling in' existing wrinkles to reduce their appearance

  6. Firms skin

    Young skin is firm and plump. However, over time, it loses more and more of its elasticity. Care products containing Hyaluronic Acid may help to slow down this process.

  7. Healing

    Applying Hyaluronic Acid to wounds may help to reduce their size on the surface of the skin, and aid with pain relief in these areas. Hyaluronic Acid is naturally present in the skin, and its production increases in case of open wounds, which may help speed up the healing process. The ingredient can help to regulate the inflammation levels and cause the body to build more blood vessels in the injury location. Please note that NIVEA products are not formulated for this purpose.

  8. Antioxidant properties

    Hyaluronic Acid is a potent antioxidant that fights the free radicals in your body, but it is arguably best known for its capacity to hold water to cells, which may help to keep skin looking healthy. 

FORMS OF HYALURONIC ACID

Hyaluronic Acid is distinguished between short-chain and long-chain forms:

FORMS OF HYALURONIC ACID

Long-chain

This consists of a long chain of molecules that has a higher molecular weight.

Effect: Long-chain Hyaluronic Acid lies on the surface of the skin without penetrating it. It forms a fine film that has a beneficial and anti-inflammatory effect - it also makes your skin appear more elastic. However, if you clean your face, the film washes off with it - that's why long-chain Hyaluronic Acid has no real long-term effect.

 

FORMS OF HYALURONIC ACID

Short-chain

Short-chain or low-molecular Hyaluronic Acid consists of a short chain of molecules and therefore has a lower molecular mass.

Effect: Short-chain Hyaluronic Acid penetrates deep into the skin and helps to store moisture in the connective tissue. This not only makes the skin plumper and firmer but also visibly reduces wrinkles. Short-chain Hyaluronic Acid thus has a lasting effect on your skin.

NIVEA Cellular products contain both of these two types of Hyaluronic Acid, also called Micro and Macro, to intensely hydrate and smooth skin’s surface whilst penetrating to deeper layers.
woman applying Nivea serum
HOW TO USE HYALURONIC ACID

WHICH FORMS WORK BEST?

Hyaluronic Acid works best when different sizes of the molecule are applied to the skin. This is how you use the positive effects of both variants.

The smaller the Hyaluronic Acid chains, the deeper Hyaluronic Acid can penetrate the skin. For a lasting effect against wrinkles, your care should therefore contain a higher proportion of short-chain compounds – only then can the anti-ageing active ingredient really penetrate the skin.

HYALURONIC ACID 5-STEP SKINCARE ROUTINE TO FADE WRINKLES & SIGNS OF AGEING

Hyaluronic Acid can be found as a key ingredient in many products, the most popular being day creams, night creams, face masks, serums, eye creams and cleansers.
As it is a natural substance that the human body has the capability to produce, you can use Hyaluronic Acid more than once in your 24-hour skincare routine. This will help to keep your skin hydrated, and may also help to reduce signs of ageing.

The following skincare routine uses products from the NIVEA Cellular Expert Filler range, containing Hyaluronic Acid. Following this routine can help to reduce signs of aging, whilst firming and plumping skin:

HYALURONIC ACID 5-STEP SKINCARE ROUTINE TO FADE WRINKLES & SIGNS OF AGEING

1. Cleanse your skin

Cleansing your face is an important part of your skincare routine since it enables you to get rid of make-up, pollution and sweat particles that might have accumulated on your face, clearing it of stressors and preparing it to absorb the goodness of your care routine.

 

HYALURONIC ACID 5-STEP SKINCARE ROUTINE TO FADE WRINKLES & SIGNS OF AGEING

2. Apply a serum

Including serum in your skincare routine could help to achieve more visible results. They have a thinner formula than creams which can lead to faster absorption and deeper penetration, allowing for targeting action against skin concerns. 

The NIVEA Cellular Expert Filler Replumping Hyaluronic Acid Serum is enriched with Pure Micro Hyaluronic Acid, which activates skin cells and helps visibly firm and plump skin. 
woman applying Nivea Cellular serum
woman applying Nivea Cellular Expert Filler

HYALURONIC ACID 5-STEP SKINCARE ROUTINE TO FADE WRINKLES & SIGNS OF AGEING

3. Apply your targeted treatments

Eye Contour treatments are important to conserve hydration around the eyes. Since the blood circulation is lower around this part of the face, the use of eye contour treatment can address concerns such as crows feet and dark circles. 

Apply your eye treatment such as the NIVEA Cellular Expert Filler Eye & Lip Contour Cream, enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and Folic Acid, which provides a filler effect in 24 hours and helps with the loss of firmness around the eye and lip area.

 

HYALURONIC ACID 5-STEP SKINCARE ROUTINE TO FADE WRINKLES & SIGNS OF AGEING

4. Apply your moisturiser

Moisturising your face is an important step of your routine which helps skin to maintain hydration levels, encourages cell turnover and promotes a smoother complexion.
For a filler effect in 24 hours, you can apply the NIVEA Cellular Expert FIller Intensive Anti-Age Day Cream SPF15 enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and Folic Acid, restoring the volume and firmness of the skin. 

For an evening routine, you can apply the NIVEA Cellular Expert Filler Intensive Anti-Age Night Care instead, to help restore volume overnight, helping to fill wrinkles and refresh your complexion.

HYALURONIC ACID 5-STEP SKINCARE ROUTINE TO FADE WRINKLES & SIGNS OF AGEING

5. (AM) Apply SPF to Protect Your Skin

It is important to apply SPF at the end of your morning skincare routine each day, in order to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. As the sun is one of the main causes of skin aging, this is also one of the best ways to maintain a youthful complexion, preventing premature wrinkles and discoloration.
 
Face sunscreen

NIVEA Cellular Expert Filler & Expert Lift Ranges with Hyaluronic Acid

The Cellular Expert Ranges are a premium anti-age solution from NIVEA, containing highly effective ingredients such as:

Micro & Macro Hyaluronic Acid: 2 Anti-Age must-haves, known to effectively fill wrinkles, smooth skin & intensely hydrate

Folic Acid*: fills cells with new lift & helps to repair skin bounce fibres** to promote firmer & plumper skin
*present in Cellular Expert Filler products
**in vitro test with active ingredient

Bakuchiol*: helps to boost cell’s Collagen production, helping to reduce deep wrinkles and redefine facial contours
*present in Cellular Expert Lift products

NIVEA Cellular Expert products help the skin to restructure itself at the cellular level. Assisting the skin's inherent biology in repairing and regenerating itself by working with it.
NIVEA Cellular products
NIVEA Cellular Products

Hyaluronic Acid for Men

man applying Nivea Anti-age Hyaluron Face Moisturising Gel
The NIVEA MEN Hyaluron and NIVEA MEN Anti-Age Power ranges contain the highest concentrations of Hyaluronic Acid of all NIVEA MEN anti-ageing products. Both ranges work to help wrinkle reduction thanks to highly targeted actions. 
NIVEA MEN Anti-Age Power range also works on fading dark spots size and intensity, for a younger looking skin in 2 weeks* 
*Based on a self-assessment, 12-week study in 2022


These products can be applied daily, morning and evening, on a cleansed face. 


For optimal results, follow the same process, swapping in the products from NIVEA MEN.


Men Anti-Age

HYALURONIC ACID FOR SPECIFIC SKIN CONCERNS

Hyaluronic Acid thanks to its hydrating properties can help to address various skin concerns.
woman using Nivea Cellular Luminous 630 Anti-Dark Circles Treatment

HYALURONIC ACID FOR SPECIFIC SKIN CONCERNS

USING HYALURONIC ACID UNDER YOUR EYES TO REDUCE DARK CIRCLES

Skin-plumping Collagen and hydrating Hyaluronic Acid are key to diminishing dark circles under the eyes. Thinning skin and dull, dehydrated under-eye skin are common companions of dark circles under the eyes – and Hyaluronic Acid may help reduce them.


The NIVEA Luminous630 range offers products such as the Cellular Luminous630 Anti-Dark Circles Eye Treatment Cream enriched with Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid to depuff tired eyes and reduce eye bags. 

HYALURONIC ACID FOR SPECIFIC SKIN CONCERNS

DOES HYALURONIC ACID FADE DARK SPOTS?

Since Hyaluronic Acid encourages skin cell turnover, it might help to diminish dark spots, sun spots and age spots. The results would be visible over weeks rather than immediately, but the skin would undeniably feel more hydrated and supple.

NIVEA Luminous630 products however combine Hyaluronic Acid with NIVEA's patented Luminous630 ingredient which has a proven efficacy in reducing dark spots. 

The NIVEA Luminous630 range was born after 10 years of research from NIVEA experts to find the breakthrough ingredient Luminous630 which targets pigmentation balance and spot reduction. 

Its dual-function formula acts on existing pigmentation to lighten dark spots and reduce their size, as well as balance new pigmentation production to prevent the reappearance of further dark spots.
NIVEA Luminous630 products
women using Nivea Cellular Luminous 360 products

SHOULD YOU USE HYALURONIC ACID?

Thanks to its many benefits, such as moisturising and plumping effects, Hyaluronic Acid helps to keep a youthful and radiant appearance when applied daily. Suitable for all skin types, this ingredient can easily be integrated into your skincare routine to target common skin concerns. 

Combined with ingredients such as Folic Acid and Bakuchiol, which can be found in NIVEA Cellular Products, Hyaluronic Acid may offer better performing results, supporting cell growth, Collagen production and skin moisture retention at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

1. What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic Acid is a gel-like substance naturally produced by the human body to retain moisture and keep the skin soft and supple. It is also present in the eyes, joints, and connective tissue, making it an excellent anti-ageing component in skincare products.

2. How does Hyaluronic Acid work in the body?

Hyaluronic Acid not only benefits the skin but also plays a crucial role in the synovial fluid, which is a main component of joint fluid. It can be used to help with joint problems in old age, but for personalised advice, consult your doctor.

3. Are there different forms of Hyaluronic Acid?

In skincare, the use of terms like Hyaluron, Hyaluronic Acid, and Hyaluronan, all refer to the same thing. However, Hyaluronic Acid comes in different molecular sizes, and the smaller chains penetrate the skin deeper, providing longer-lasting anti-ageing effects.

4. How does Hyaluronic Acid benefit the skin?

Hyaluronic Acid offers several skin benefits, including defining contours, plumping the skin, adding radiance, smoothing the skin, firming it, promoting healing, and providing antioxidant properties for a healthy look.

5. How should I use Hyaluronic Acid in my skincare routine?

To maximise the benefits, use different sizes of Hyaluronic Acid molecules on your skin. Look for products that contain a higher proportion of short-chain compounds to penetrate the skin for a lasting anti-ageing effect.

6. What is the recommended skincare routine with Hyaluronic Acid?

A recommended skincare routine includes cleansing your skin, applying a Hyaluronic Acid Serum, following up with other skincare treatments, using an eye treatment, moisturising, and finishing with SPF for sun protection.

7. What skincare products feature Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic Acid is a popular ingredient in many skincare products, including day creams, night creams, face masks, serums, eye creams, and cleansers. It can be used multiple times in your 24-hour skincare routine.

8. Can I use Hyaluronic Acid with Vitamin C?

For optimal results, you can combine Hyaluronic Acid with other anti-ageing nutrients such as Vitamin C. Remember that, in addition to reducing the amount of moisture in your skin, UV rays and oxidative stress are also responsible for skin ageing.


Moisturisers like Hyaluronic Acid work well with antioxidants like Vitamin C or Vitamin A and can be used together and are some of the best anti-ageing skincare ingredients. 

9. Can I use Hyaluronic Acid with Retinol?

Yes, combining Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol can help attenuate Retinol’s side effects, such as irritation and dryness. Introducing Hyaluronic Acid in your skincare routine after applying Retinol might add moisture to your skin, reducing the chances of irritating your skin.

10. Are there any contraindications or side effects to using Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic Acid is generally safe for all skin types when applied topically. However, if you are undergoing medical treatments or injections, it's essential to consult with a medical professional.