Hyaluronic acid holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
No wonder it's in everything. I was recently working on the skincare section of my shop, adding category sections for popular ingredients like Vitamin C, Bakuchiol and Niacinamide, because so many customers ask for products with these actives. But when it came to hyaluronic acid, it was in so many products that a dedicated section would have been overwhelming. A guide made much more sense.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule our bodies make naturally, found in the skin, joints and eyes, and its job is holding onto water. That is what gives young skin its bounce. Production slows as we age, which is why the beauty world is so keen on putting it back.
Just like collagen, I like to approach it from every possible angle, hydration inside and out. So this is a full hyaluronic acid routine, starting on the inside and finishing, believe it or not, with your hair.
Hyaluronic Acid Supplements
Starting from the inside. I love these supplements to support the skin's moisture from within.
1. The Age Hack HLA Hyaluronic Acid Capsules
One capsule, one ingredient. These are 100% pure pharmaceutical grade sodium hyaluronate. Take one once or twice a day to support skin hydration.
2. Superfeast Tremella
This is not technically hyaluronic acid, but I have added it in here because it also holds several times its weight in water and behaves in much the same way. Tremella is a mushroom that has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries, traditionally for skin hydration and radiance. This one is water-extracted and packaged in a Miron glass jar, and you stir a quarter to half a teaspoon into any hot or cold drink.
Cleansers with Hyaluronic Acid
3. MooGoo Creamy Hydrating Face Cleanser
This creamy, non-foaming one lifts away dirt and makeup without stripping the skin's natural oils, while hyaluronic acid attracts and holds moisture and milk protein looks after elasticity. It suits every skin type, it is made in Australia, and it's a great price.
4. A Bit Hippy Face Cleanser
This one is for the lather lovers. It teams hyaluronic acid with ceramides so it cleanses without stripping, using plant-derived, sulphate-free cleansers and essential oils like bergamot, rosewood and frankincense. It is gentle on sensitive skin, made in Australia, and it slots neatly into a double cleansing routine as the second step.
Toners with Hyaluronic Acid
5. Metamorphosis Awaken Hyaluronic Acid Prep Spritz
Menopausal skin has its own hydration rules, and this one was created for exactly that stage. It mixes hyaluronic acid with wild yam and botanical extracts to hydrate, soften and improve the look of elasticity. Use it to prep before serums, as a midday hydration boost, or as a dewy base under moisturiser.
6. 100% Pure Restorative Sea Culture Hydrating Toner
Not menopausal? This one is for everybody. A seaweed-based toner where hyaluronic acid is joined by kelp, Irish moss and chia seed gel to soften and refresh the skin. After cleansing, pat it on with clean hands or sweep it over with a cotton pad, eyelids included. The ocean's answer to dry skin.
Hyaluronic Acid Serums
7. Antipodes Maya Hyaluronic 72-Hour Hydration Serum
This is the step where hyaluronic acid works hardest, and the name of this one makes a big promise: hydration for up to 72 hours. There are numbers behind it too. In Antipodes' clinical testing, 91% of participants said their skin felt more hydrated and 87% reported plumper, smoother skin. Inside the glass bottle is plant hyaluronic acid with antioxidant-rich Vinanza grape and New Zealand mamaku black fern. Apply it on Friday and it's still working on Monday.
8. Vanessa Megan Collagen Boosting Gel Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This is the serum I'm using right now, and it has the double benefit of also supporting collagen. The fast-absorbing gel uses pure hyaluronic acid to draw moisture into the skin, while Australian natives like kangaroo paw and banksia encourage elasticity. It suits dehydrated and mature skin, and it works as a makeup primer too, for a smooth, hydrated base.
9. 100% Pure Rose Hyaluronic Acid Serum
The gentle one, made for sensitive, dry and dehydrated skin. Hyaluronic acid does the plumping, beta glucan looks after the skin barrier, sodium PCA attracts and holds moisture, and rose hydrosol, chamomile and calendula keep everything calm. The lightweight gel absorbs with no residue, under moisturiser or on its own. A big drink of water for thirsty skin.
Moisturisers with Hyaluronic Acid
10. 100% Pure Hydra Drench Cream
Serums need sealing in, and that is the moisturiser's job. This fast-absorbing cream pairs hyaluronic acid with niacinamide, chia seed oil and nopal cactus extract to rehydrate and condition the skin without clogging pores or leaving a greasy feel. Use it morning and night, and acne-prone skin is fine with it too.
11. LAMAV Hyaluronic Moisture Cream
The Australian natives option. Hyaluronic acid is joined by CoEnzyme Q10, emu apple and quandong to plump, calm and brighten dry, dehydrated skin, and you press it on morning and night after cleansing and toning, right down the neck and decolletage. It comes in a 10ml size too, if you want to try it before the full jar.
Masks with Hyaluronic Acid
12. Vanessa Megan Silver and Hyaluronic Acid Collagen Boosting Sheet Mask
The perfect weekly hydration boost, this sheet mask pairs hyaluronic acid with colloidal silver and Australian botanicals to leave skin smooth, calm and plump, and it comes in a pack of three. A facial without leaving the couch.
13. Antipodes Flora Probiotic Skin-Rescue Hyaluronic Mask
This one is the rinse-off option, made for sensitive, red or irritated skin. Hyaluronic acid works alongside the Kalibiome Sensitive probiotic and harakeke flax, and in clinical testing redness dropped by 15%, hydration rose by 20% and 73% of participants saw visibly reduced imperfections and inflammation. Smooth on a generous layer, leave it for up to 15 minutes, rinse, and repeat two or three times a week.
14. LAMAV Beauty Sleep Mask
For the lazy option, an overnight mask you wear to bed. Hyaluronic acid sits alongside Kakadu plum, desert lime and quandong, with macadamia and shea to hold the moisture in while you sleep. Smooth on a generous layer before bed and leave it on overnight. It is certified organic, and there is a 10ml size if you want to trial it first. Beauty sleep, literally.
15. 100% Pure Bright Eyes Masks
And one just for the eyes. These hydrogels are made from 95% organic aloe with caffeine and hyaluronic acid to de-puff, smooth fine lines and brighten dark circles. Press them on under the eyes, leave them for 20 minutes, then massage the leftover serum in. The closest thing to a sleep-in.
Night Creams with Hyaluronic Acid
16. Biode Night Cream with Hyaluronic Acid
Skin does its repair work while you sleep, and this night cream makes the most of it, working hyaluronic acid in with zinc-rich pumpkin seed oil and mineral-rich marine algae to replenish the moisture barrier overnight, so skin feels smoother and more resilient by morning. There are more overnight favourites in my natural night creams guide.
17. Antipodes Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream
The night option for skin that breaks out. This water cream works on the skin's microbiome overnight, with the Kalibiome AGE probiotic alongside hyaluronic acid and clinical results behind it: redness down by 18.3% and wrinkle depth by 13.1%. It absorbs quickly and targets blemishes, redness and dehydration while you sleep.
Hyaluronic Acid for Hair
18. Vanessa Megan Anti-Frizz Smoothing Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid for your hair? It works the same way it does on your skin, by holding onto moisture. This lightweight leave-in smooths frizz and flyaways without weighing hair down or leaving a greasy finish, while silica-rich bamboo extract adds shine and rice peptides strengthen and improve manageability. Use it on wet or dry hair, and it comes in a glass bottle. One for the humidity months.
How Do I Use Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid works by holding onto water, so the trick is giving it water to hold.
Step 1: Start with damp skin. Apply your serum straight after cleansing or misting, while skin is still damp, so there is moisture to draw in.
Step 2: Seal it in. Follow with a moisturiser, night cream or face oil to lock the hydration into the skin.
Step 3: Work from the inside. A daily supplement or a scoop of tremella looks after the inside while the skincare looks after the outside.
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