Does hyaluronic acid cause pimples or does it clear skin? What does hyaluronic acid do for acne?
This essential molecule quenches your skin’s thirst, and when your face is properly hydrated, it’s less likely to break out. After all, hyaluronic acid is a crucial building block of the skin. It helps hold in moisture as it can absorb 1000 times its weight in water. If your skin isn’t dehydrated, it won’t feel the need to overproduce sebum. Then, less sebum means fewer pimples and skin that isn’t so oily and acne-prone.
Moreover, hyaluronic acid is a natural humectant that’s good for all skin types. We need it to retain collagen, too. As we age, our body makes less of it, which is why restoring its levels with moisturizer and supplements keeps the skin plump and joints healthy.
How does hyaluronic acid help avoid acne?
It’s tempting if you have oily skin to skip the moisturizer. But this is a bad idea. Think about when you’re trying to diet and all you want to eat are sweets, salt, and grease. If you deny your skin moisture, it’s going to crave lubrication by any means necessary and overproduce sebum. The extra oil will clog pores and plot with the acne bacteria to produce pimples. Therefore, it’s much easier to avoid the problem in the first place by using hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated. It will act like a magnet to draw in water and keep the skin calm and soothed (1).
Does hyaluronic acid cause acne?
Hyaluronic acid won’t clog pores, however, other ingredients in a hyaluronic acid serum or moisturizer might cause problems. Be sure to purchase products labeled “non-comedogenic” or “non-acnegenic”. If you’re not sure, avoid face creams with cocoa butter and coconut oil.
In nature, hyaluronic acid molecules are too big to sink into the skin. Happily, chemists have formulated sodium hyaluronate, a lower molecular weight version that does penetrate, but again should not clog pores.
Who should not use hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is suitable for all skin types. Again, check the label and the formula. If you have oily, acne-prone skin, go light. Pick a hyaluronic acid serum or gel moisturizer instead of a face cream.
Persons with dry skin can greatly benefit from hyaluronic acid, too. This is true even if the dry skin is caused by acne medication.
If you want dewy, firm skin with fewer pimples, try a hyaluronic acid moisturizer or serum. Check out our top picks below:
| The best hyaluronic acid products for acne | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum |
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| Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum |
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| Paula's Choice BOOST Hyaluronic Acid Booster |
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| Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Moisturizer Gel |
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| THE ORDINARY Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 |
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| Cerave Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Face with Vitamin B5 and Ceramides |
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Best Hyaluronic Acid Products for Acne
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
We love hyaluronic acid serums because it’s straightforward to add them to a beauty routine. It only takes a couple of extra minutes to pat on the serum and let it absorb before moisturizing.
This one is formulated for sensitive skin. It contains no parabens, oil, or allergens, plus it was tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists to be safe to use around the eyes.
It’s an anti-aging serum with three essential ingredients to restore the skin to health and a youthful appearance. It starts with hyaluronic acid, the key component that keeps skin refreshed, plumped, and smooth. Then, there’s Madecassoide derived from Centella asiatica, a healing herb that’s rich in antioxidants. It’s a potent acne-fighter.
Lastly, there’s vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid. It’s a crucial component for rapid healing and healthy skin.
The thick, silky serum only takes three or four drops to cover the face and neck, and it should be applied both morning and night. You’re likely to notice an instant improvement after it absorbs. Nevertheless, be patient because it may take as long as a month to make a dramatic difference.
Reviewers say it absorbs nicely without leaving a residue and wears well under moisturizer and sunscreen. It seems to help foundation look smoother.
Pros:
- Silky, viscous serum with potent anti-aging and anti-acne ingredients
- Features Madecassoide, vitamin B5, and hyaluronic acid
- Absorbs quickly and smooths the skin for other products
- Non-comedogenic, no parabens,
- Tested to be safe for sensitive skin and eyes
Cons:
- Not fragrance-free but allergy-tested
Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum
In a 2019 clinical study, eight out of ten women immediately noticed that this serum made their skin feel healthier and smoother. It only took a week for them to feel their faces more toned and plumped. Then, after one month, nine out of ten women said their skin glowed.
That all sounds great, but how big was this trial? Well, it included 1600 women from all over the world and 175 dermatologists were involved in the testing.
What’s more, the serum is allergy-tested and oil-free. It contains no parabens, alcohol, or artificial fragrance, making it safe for sensitive faces. Reviewers say it’s not greasy or sticky. In fact, it works so well that some (with oily skin) use it as a primer under makeup.
It looks and feels like a transparent gel with no scent. It’s packaged in a clear glass bottle with a pump top. A full press might be too much product, so dispense it carefully with a lighter touch.
The label lists only eleven ingredients including volcanic water from French volcanoes. (We did not know that France had volcanoes!)
If you’re interested in this product, check out the matching eye serum with hyaluronic acid and caffeine. It makes the skin around the eyes smoother and brighter while minimizing dark circles and shrinking bags.
Pros:
- Impressive results from a massive worldwide clinical study
- Transparent gel serum with only 11 ingredients
- Instantly smooths and refreshes the skin
- No oil, artificial fragrance, alcohol, or parabens
Cons:
- Go easy when you press the pump to avoid wasting the serum
Paula’s Choice BOOST Hyaluronic Acid Booster
When you purchase a Paula’s Choice product, you never have to worry about artificial fragrances or parabens. The brand was founded when Paula Begoun couldn’t find skincare products that were safe and effective for her sensitive skin. Therefore, it’s a given that the company only uses ingredients that provide results without causing irritation.
What’s interesting about this serum is that it’s a booster that can be used alone or mixed with moisturizer or another serum. It’s a small bottle, but you only need a couple of drops each time.
It’s designed to smooth lines and brighten dull skin with hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and ceramides. All of these moisturizing and firming ingredients are appropriate for oily, combination, normal, and dry complexions.
Users say that it’s an excellent addition to a skincare routine, especially during dry winter months.
Pros:
- Can be used alone or mixed with moisturizer and other serums to enhance their ability
- Features hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and panthenol to plump and smooth
- No artificial fragrance or parabens
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons:
- Not as affordable as some options, especially considering the size of the bottle
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Face Moisturizer Gel
When face cream is just too heavy, try this moisturizer gel. It’s super lightweight and fragrance-free for oily, sensitive skin yet moisturizing enough for extra-dry faces. After you apply it, it continues to work for up to 48 hours.
Don’t let the pretty blue jar fool you – the formula is dye-free, paraben-free, and non-comedogenic, too. But there is a little bit of a downside for fans of hyaluronic acid. Sodium hyaluronate, the crucial ingredient, is way down near the end of the label. What comes first are water, dimethicone, and glycerin. Still, they provide and seal in essential moisture.
Pros:
- Refreshing gel moisturizer with a lightweight, fast-absorbing texture
- Hydrates up to 48 hours
- Appropriate for all skin types and helpful for extra-dry faces
- Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, dye-free, and paraben-free
Cons:
- The product name is a little deceptive: hyaluronic acid is not one of the principal ingredients
THE ORDINARY Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
If you search for moisturizing serum, The Ordinary hyaluronic acid is one of the top results. It’s often recommended by beauty sites and praised on social media. Not only is it affordable, but it’s made with safe ingredients.
It features three sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules plus a hyaluronic acid cross polymer. In other words, it’s formulated to perfectly penetrate the skin to the right depth and provide moisture for as long as possible.
This innovative design works wonders because it doesn’t pull moisture from the skin and only soften the surface. Instead, it drills deep to refresh the lower layers and maintain the hydration throughout. The hyaluronic acid is also supported with pantothenic acid or vitamin B5. Of course, there are no artificial fragrance or parabens to worry about.
Pros:
- Innovative design with three different sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules
- Doesn’t just sit on the surface, but delivers moisture to deeper layers, too
- Includes vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
- No artificial fragrance or parabens
- Affordable and effective
Cons:
- None
Cerave Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Face with Vitamin B5 and Ceramides
It wouldn’t be CeraVe without ceramides. Just like hyaluronic acid, ceramides are a natural part of the skin’s makeup. Sadly, both components are produced less as the body ages. And both are crucial for helping the skin stay moisturized and whole.
CeraVe has a patented technology called MVE. It’s why its serums and moisturizers continue to work for up to 24 hours after application. The serum uses it to gradually release hyaluronic acid and ceramides where they’re needed. That’s good news if you need to counterbalance the drying effects of acne medication.
Another benefit for acne-prone skin is the inclusion of niacinamide and vitamin B5. They help calm and rebuild the skin and retain moisture, too. Reviewers say after using the serum for a few weeks, the area around their eyes looks plump and they feel as if they can go without makeup.
Any skin type can benefit from the serum – it’s suitable for all complexions. The formula contains no artificial fragrance or parabens, plus it’s non-comedogenic. It’s packaged in a pump-top bottle that protects it from contamination and degradation from exposure to light and air.
Pros:
- Blend of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide, and vitamin B5
- Slow-release technology keeps the serum working for up to 24 hours
- Suitable for all skin types and beneficial for acne-prone complexions
- Non-comedogenic and paraben-free with no artificial fragrance
- Packaged in a pump top bottle to protect against contamination and degradation
Cons:
- None
Conclusion
Hyaluronic acid is an excellent moisturizer for acne-prone skin. It’s lightweight but powerful, making sure your face feels refreshed so that there’s no need for excess oil.
We hope our reviews of the best hyaluronic acid products helped you discover what you need today. If what you purchased is helping your skin heal, we’d love to hear about it. Feel free to leave us a comment below.
Source:
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/hyaluronic-acid-for-acne Have Acne? Hyaluronic Acid Could Help, by Steph Coelho, published October 14, 2021