Is hyaluronic acid good for acne treatment?

If acne is a problem, you must have tried everything from home treatment to treatment. You also need to pay for non-comedon and oil-free skincare products. While reading the label, make sure hyaluronic acid is also part of the product. It is a substance found in your body, mainly in your skin and joints. It is also a popular skincare ingredient known for its hydration properties. It can also help you deal with acne, an inflammatory skin condition that can affect anyone. What are the reasons why hyaluronic acid is effective for treating acne?

What is hyaluronic acid?

It is a naturally occurring substance found in your skin, connective tissue, and joints. “It plays a key role in maintaining skin hydration by binding to water molecules and retaining up to 1,000 times the weight in the water,” says cosmetic surgery and aesthetic surgeon Dr. Shweta Mishra. This makes it an important ingredient in many skincare products, especially serum, creams and moisturizers.

“As we age, the natural hyaluronic acid levels in our skin decrease, leading to dryness and loss of elasticity,” the expert says. Therefore, hyaluronic acid levels need to be replenished with the help of skin care products.

Hyaluronic Acid for Acne: How It Helps

If you have skin that is prone to acne, you should be suffering from skin barriers and dehydration. “Many acne treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinoids, work by peeling the skin. They reduce oil production and fight the bacteria that cause acne. However, these treatments can also remove the natural moisture from your skin,” says the expert. When that happens, when your skin tries to compensate for the loss of hydration, you will feel dry, skin irritation, and even overproduction of sebum. This cycle only means bad news for acne-prone skin. Here’s how hyaluronic acid can help:

1. Provides hydration

Hyaluronic acid is used to treat acne to provide essential hydration without clogging pores. “Unlike thick, obstructive moisturizers that can exacerbate acne, this acid is a lightweight water-attracting molecule that helps retain moisture without making fat greasy,” says Dr. Mishra. This helps maintain the balance of your skin and prevents excessive dryness and oiliness. Both can lead to breakouts. A study published in the 2017 Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that it provides hydration and helps control sebum production. This is effective in preventing acne.

2. Relieves redness and irritation

Redness and irritation are often a concern for people with acne. According to a study published in Biomolecules in 2021, the acid has anti-inflammatory, wound healing and skin repair properties. “Inflammation plays an important role in acne formation and by reducing it, this acid helps create a gentle skin environment that is prone to breakouts,” says the expert.

3. Helps to absorb other ingredients

Hyaluronic acid can be used to treat acne to improve the effectiveness of other ingredients. “When the skin is properly hydrated, it can better absorb active ingredients such as retinoids and salicylic acid. This allows them to work more efficiently without causing excessive dryness or skin irritation,” says the expert.

4. Helps in treating acne scars

This acid enhances the healing process of acne scars. During a study published in dermatology in 2018, hyaluronic acid gel injections were found to be effective and safe for treating acne scars. “The hydrated skin heals faster, meaning that if this acid is incorporated into your skin care routine, acne scars can disappear faster,” says the expert.

Can hyaluronic acid cause acne?

Hyaluronic acid can be used to treat acne, but is that also the reason behind the problem of acne? “Hyaluronic acid itself does not cause acne, because it is lightweight and does not clog pores. However, certain formulations, especially those combined with obstructive agents such as heavy oil, can catch dirt and bacteria, leading to breakouts,” says Dr. Mishra.

Also, applying it to dry skin without sealing it with a moisturizer can lead to dehydration. “This can lead to excessive oil production that can cause acne in some people,” the expert says.

How to use hyaluronic acid to treat acne?

Use hyaluronic acid in the right way to treat acne and enjoy its benefits.

• This acid works by attracting moisture, so it should be applied to the skin when it is wet rather than dry. This way, your skin can absorb it more and prevent dehydration.
• After cleansing, gently tap the skin to keep it slightly moist, and apply a few drops of serum containing hyaluronic acid to treat acne.
• Follow up with a lightweight non-comedogen moisturizer to trap moisture.

“With acne treatments such as benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid can be applied before and after these treatments,” experts say. Using multiple active ingredients, applying the product to this acid will create a hydration base first, reducing irritation. Alternatively, if your skin gets overdry from other acne treatments, layering this acid on top can provide a much-needed soothing barrier.

It is generally well tolerated, but some people experience mild stimulation, especially when using high concentration equations. “Make sure to keep hyaluronic acid below 2% for acne treatment concentrations,” experts say

Hydron treatments can use hyaluronic acid to treat acne because of their hydration properties. It also helps to deal with acne scars, but before making it part of your daily skincare routine, go for a patch test.