Final Up to date on November 15, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
Okay so that you need that dewy, glowy pores and skin you see throughout Instagram, proper? Like that bouncy, plump look the place your pores and skin simply seems to be… wholesome. However as an alternative your face feels sort of meh – perhaps it’s tight, perhaps your make-up sits bizarre on it, perhaps it simply seems to be boring and you’ll’t work out why. Right here’s the factor: you may be lacking hyaluronic acid in your routine. And if you happen to’ve been scrolling by Korean skincare stuff questioning what all of the hype is about, a variety of it comes right down to how a lot they love this one ingredient.
Korean skins care manufacturers put out some severely good hyaluronic acid merchandise, and actually they’ve bought choices for each funds and pores and skin sort. On this article I’m gonna stroll you thru why this ingredient is such an enormous deal for getting that hydrated look, which merchandise from South Korea are value trying out, and really use them so that you’re not simply throwing cash at your face for no cause. As a result of belief me, when you get this proper, your pores and skin’s gonna really feel fully totally different.
Advantages Of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that lives in your skin, joints, and eyes – principally wherever your physique wants cushioning and moisture. It’s a glycosaminoglycan, which is only a fancy method of claiming it’s a sugar molecule that binds to water like loopy. We’re speaking 1000 occasions its weight in water. One gram can maintain as much as 6 liters. That’s wild. Your pores and skin has about half of all of the hyaluronic acid in your physique, sitting there within the dermis and dermis preserving all the pieces plump and springy. However right here’s the issue – you begin shedding about 1% per 12 months after you hit 20. UV harm speeds that up too. By the point you’re 50, you’ve bought method much less of it, which is a part of why pores and skin will get drier and thinner and people traces present up.
While you put it in your pores and skin topically, it really works as a humectant – which means it grabs water from the setting and from deeper in your pores and skin and pulls it as much as the floor layers. It additionally helps strengthen your pores and skin barrier so that you don’t lose as a lot water all through the day. There’s various kinds of hyaluronic acid with molecular weights too – low weight penetrates deeper, excessive weight sits on prime and varieties this hydrating movie. Korean merchandise normally combine totally different weights so that you get hydration at a number of ranges. And yeah, though it says “acid” it gained’t irritate you. It’s bought a impartial pH and it’s really anti-inflammatory. Works for actually any pores and skin sort with out clogging pores or inflicting breakouts.
Associated: Everything You Need To Know About Hyaluronic Acid In Skincare
What Are The Finest Korean Pores and skin Care Merchandise With Hayluronic Acid?
Great thing about Joseon Revive Serum: Ginseng + Snail Mucin ($17.00)
Okay so this serum has ginseng and snail mucin which sounds bizarre however works very well collectively. It’s tremendous light-weight, absorbs quick, doesn’t depart you sticky or greasy. Your pores and skin feels bouncier after utilizing it – like that plump hydrated factor the place high quality traces look much less apparent. It’s bought 3% snail mucin which helps restore your pores and skin if you happen to’ve bought any scarring or hyperpigmentation, and the ginseng provides antioxidants so that you’re getting some anti-aging advantages too. There’s additionally hyaluronic acid in there doing its hydration factor.
The feel is sort of like an essence, actually skinny and watery nevertheless it spreads simply so that you don’t want a lot. Works nice below different merchandise and doesn’t tablet. Good for delicate pores and skin too because it’s fragrance-free and mild. The one factor is it will possibly odor a bit funky due to the snail mucin nevertheless it fades shortly. Actually reasonably priced for what you get and the bottle lasts ages since you solely want a pair drops. Works for just about any pores and skin sort and you need to use it morning and evening with out points.
Obtainable at: Asos, Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, Stylevana, Superdrug and Yes Style
Energetic components: Snail mucin and hyaluronic acid.
Advantages: Offers intense hydration to your pores and skin.
Cons: Smells a bit bizarre.
Pores and skin sorts: All pores and skin sorts.
Perfume-free: Sure.
Dr Jart+ Brightamin Brightening Serum Ampoule (£38.00)
This Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid serum bought a gimmick nevertheless it really works. There’s this little freeze-dried orange ball filled with vitamin C and niacinamide that you simply drop into the liquid serum to wake it up. Sounds further however vitamin C goes unhealthy quick so preserving it freeze-dried till you utilize it means it stays robust. When you shake it up and the ball melts, you’ve bought about 30 days to complete it earlier than it begins dying on you. The feel’s actually gentle and doesn’t get sticky, layers nice below no matter else you’re utilizing. It’s good for brightening up boring pores and skin, fading darkish spots and people annoying marks zits leaves behind, night all the pieces out.
The niacinamide helps with that too and it’s calming so delicate pores and skin can normally deal with it high quality. Draw back is the bottle’s tiny so it runs out fast if you happen to’re utilizing it morning and evening, and it prices greater than a variety of vitamin C serums on the market. However in order for you contemporary vitamin C that’s really secure and gained’t irritate your face, it’s a strong alternative. Simply put on sunscreen through the day whenever you’re utilizing it as a result of vitamin C makes you extra delicate to solar.
Obtainable at: Boots, Cult Beauty, John Lewis, Look Fantastic, and SpaceNK
Energetic components: Ascorbic Acid (pure Vitamin C), Niacinamide, and Hyaluronic acid.
Advantages: Battle free radicals, brightens the complexion, and hydrates pores and skin.
Cons: Goes unhealthy shortly.
Pores and skin sorts: All pores and skin sorts bar delicate.
Perfume-free: Sure.
Rovectin Aqua Hyaluronic Essence ($31.00)
This Korean hyaluronic acid product is form of a hybrid between a toner and an essence so you need to use it proper after cleaning. It’s bought seven various kinds of hyaluronic acid which sounds extreme however they’re all totally different sizes in order that they sink into totally different layers of your pores and skin. The small ones go deep, the large ones sit on prime and create a moisture barrier. It’s tremendous watery and light-weight, absorbs quick with none sticky feeling. There’s additionally niacinamide in there for night out your pores and skin tone and serving to with high quality traces. The feel’s thicker than an everyday toner however not heavy in any respect, sort of slippery and spreads straightforward. Nice for layering as a result of it doesn’t tablet below different stuff. The bottle’s big too, 180ml, so it lasts without end. It’s fragrance-free and made with all EWG green-grade components which suggests it’s mild sufficient for delicate pores and skin. Good for prepping your pores and skin to soak up no matter you placed on after it.
Obtainable at: Soko Glam, Stylevana, Superdrug and Yes Style
Energetic components: Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid.
Advantages: Has very excessive ranges of hyaluronic acid to hydrate pores and skin and provides it a stunning glow.
Cons: The papaya extract doesn’t actually exfoliate a lot.
Pores and skin sorts: Finest for dry pores and skin, however everybody can use it (aside from delicate pores and skin).
Perfume-free: Sure.
Haruharu Marvel Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner For Delicate Pores and skin ($17.00)
This one’s their delicate pores and skin model of their hydrating toner in order that they took out all of the perfume and important oils. Acquired black rice extract in there which is loaded with antioxidants, makes boring pores and skin brighter and protects from solar harm. There’s hyaluronic acid doing the hydration factor. Texture’s like someplace between a toner and an essence, kinda viscous however spreads straightforward and sinks in fast. Doesn’t depart any sticky gross feeling after.
You possibly can pat on a number of layers in case your pores and skin’s actually thirsty and it simply retains absorbing. Works nice in case your pores and skin’s reactive or will get irritated straightforward as a result of there’s actually nothing in right here that’s gonna set you off. The bottle’s versatile plastic so that you simply give it a squeeze as an alternative of wrestling with it. Makes your pores and skin look actually dewy and bouncy, that tumbler pores and skin factor everybody talks about. The 150ml bottle lasts without end too since you don’t want a lot. Nice on a regular basis toner so as to add to your day by day routine that simply works with out drama.
Obtainable at: Soko Glam, Superdrug and Yes Style
Energetic components: Hyaluronic acid and black rice extract.
Advantages: Hydrates pores and skin and provides it a stunning glow.
Cons: The papaya extract doesn’t actually exfoliate a lot.
Pores and skin sorts: Finest for delicate pores and skin, however everybody can use it.
Perfume-free: Sure.
Cosrx The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum ($25.00)
Touted as one of the best Korean hyaluronic acid serum, this one’s bought 3% hyaluronic acid which is a fairly excessive focus, plus ceramides and amino acids. The hyaluronic acid they use is low molecular weight so it really sinks deep into your pores and skin as an alternative of simply chilling on the floor. Texture’s thicker than most hyaluronic serums which is kinda good, feels extra substantial however nonetheless absorbs fast. Doesn’t get cheesy or depart that gross sticky feeling some HA serums do.
Makes your pores and skin really feel actually plump and delicate, helps with make-up utility too so basis doesn’t cake up on dry patches. The ceramides cease the moisture from evaporating off your face and the amino acids assist strengthen your pores and skin barrier. Works nice if you happen to’re utilizing retinoids as a result of it retains your pores and skin hydrated with out interfering with the retinol. You possibly can layer it with just about something. Huge draw back is the bottle’s tiny, solely 20ml, so if you happen to’re utilizing it twice a day it runs out quick. Kinda dear for the way little you get. However the formulation’s actually good, method higher than primary hyaluronic serums that simply have HA and nothing else.
Obtainable at: Asos, Boots, Sephora, Soko Glam, and Yes Style
Energetic components: Hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
Advantages: Hydrates pores and skin, prevents moisture loss, and provides it a stunning glow.
Cons: Tiny bottle, so gained’t final lengthy.
Pores and skin sorts: All pores and skin sorts can use it, together with oily pores and skin.
Perfume-free: Sure.
FAQs
Can I take advantage of hyaluronic acid with different actives like vitamin C or salicylic acid?
Oh yeah completely, hyaluronic acid performs good with all the pieces. You possibly can layer it along with your vitamin C within the morning, use it with salicylic acid if you happen to’re coping with breakouts, throw it on with retinoids at evening. Truly it’s sensible to make use of it with these stronger actives as a result of they’ll dry your pores and skin out and the HA retains issues snug. Simply put your energetic on first, then the hyaluronic acid, then seal all of it in with moisturizer.
What’s one of the best ways to use hyaluronic acid so it really works?
Hyaluronic acid’s fairly versatile actually – you possibly can put it on damp pores and skin or dry pores and skin, it really works both method. Some individuals swear by making use of it on damp pores and skin as a result of it helps it unfold simpler and feels nicer, nevertheless it’s not prefer it stops working in case your face is dry. The primary factor is the place it goes in your routine – put it on after your actives like vitamin C or no matter you’re utilizing, then earlier than your moisturizer. You possibly can even combine it along with your moisturizer in order for you. The moisturizer on prime is essential although as a result of that seals all the pieces in and stops the water from evaporating off your face. However yeah, it’s fairly exhausting to screw up hyaluronic acid, simply get it in your face someplace between cleaning and moisturizer and also you’re good.
How does hyaluronic acid assist with pores and skin elasticity and early indicators of ageing?
So your physique already makes hyaluronic acid naturally – it’s hanging out in your pores and skin preserving all the pieces plump and bouncy. Downside is you begin shedding it as you age, which is a part of why pores and skin begins wanting kinda deflated and high quality traces present up. While you use it in skincare, it helps your pores and skin maintain onto water which makes all the pieces look fuller and smoother. It’s not gonna make deep wrinkles disappear nevertheless it positively helps with texture and people early ageing indicators the place your pores and skin simply seems to be drained. Principally hydrated pores and skin seems to be youthful and more healthy, that’s the entire deal.
Can hyaluronic acid assist with numerous pores and skin considerations or is it only for dryness?
It’s primarily a hydration factor however that truly helps with extra stuff than you’d suppose. When your pores and skin’s dehydrated it seems to be boring, texture exhibits up far more, pores look larger, all the pieces simply seems to be tough. Get your hydration sorted and your pores and skin barrier will get stronger, you’re extra protected against environmental harm and air pollution, different merchandise take up higher and work extra successfully. It’s not gonna remedy zits or fade hyperpigmentation by itself nevertheless it creates this strong basis that makes all of your different skincare work higher. Consider it like the bottom layer for all the pieces else.
How lengthy does it take to see outcomes from utilizing hyaluronic acid?
Your pores and skin’s gonna really feel extra hydrated just about instantly, like inside the first couple makes use of. That plump dewy look exhibits up instantly which is good. For the long run stuff like smoother texture and high quality traces wanting much less apparent, give it a number of weeks of utilizing it persistently. It’s not a kind of dramatic transformation components the place you see wild earlier than and afters, it’s far more delicate than that. Your pores and skin simply step by step seems to be and feels more healthy over time. If you happen to’re coping with actually dehydrated pores and skin you’ll in all probability discover issues enhancing inside every week or so.
The Backside Line
Hyaluronic acid is a skincare ingredient that truly does what it says, and Korean skincare manufacturers get which you can’t do the rest in case your pores and skin’s dehydrated. Your face is gonna look plumper, really feel method much less tight and annoying, and all the pieces else you placed on it really works higher. It’s not gonna repair wrinkles or zap your zits nevertheless it makes the stuff that does repair these issues really work. Get no matter you possibly can afford – a budget COSRX bottle’s good, the costly stuff’s good too – slap it on after your acids or your vitamin C serum, earlier than your cream, finished. As soon as you utilize it you’ll get why everybody gained’t shut up about it, your pores and skin simply stops feeling like crap.
