Hyaluronic acid (aka HA) is the one product I recently started incorporating into my redhead skincare routine… and I’ll never go back.
First, don’t be alarmed by the word ‘acid’. For many, this word acid is not something you want to be incorporated in your skincare routine, especially if you have sensitive redhead skin. However, hyaluronic acid does not actually have acid in it. It’s actually a form of sugar.
Do you suffer from dry skin?
Hyaluronic acid will be your best friend due to its ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in moisture.
Do you have dull skin?
If you’re experiencing dull skin and/or fine lines, the hyaluronic acid will hydrate those lines to make them slightly less noticeable.
Hyaluronic acid comes in many forms but we prefer to use it as a serum. It’s super lightweight and will ensure you get your moisture fix in the morning and night, right after cleansing.
However, HA is not for everyone. We spoke with Dermatologist, Dr. Leslie Baumann, on this popular skincare product. “Hyaluronic acid helps other ingredients penetrate better but could also make you more sensitive to retinoids or hydroxy acids or allergens by increasing the penetration of those ingredients. In a dry climate, it can actually pull water from your skin. For this reason, I am only a fan of HA products for oily skin types or when combined with occlusive moisturizing ingredients.”
What exactly does ‘occlusive’ mean?
Baumann answers saying, “Occlusives are oily substances that coat the surface and prevent water from evaporating from the skin’s surface. Plastic wrap, which protects food by sealing in moisture, works in exactly the same way. Once this ingredient is washed off, the skin returns to the state of increased water evaporation that leads to dehydration. For this reason, these occlusive ingredients are a temporary solution. They have an emollient effect on the skin which makes it feel and appear smoother while it’s on the skin’s surface, but this effect is also temporary. Examples of occlusives include any oils, petrolatum and silicones.” Baumann refers to primrose oil and jojoba oil as some occlusive ingredients.
Don’t know if you have oily skin?
Take the Skin Type Solutions quiz to easily find out your skin type. The first step is to correctly identify which of the 16 Baumann Skin Types you have. The app is available to download on your iPhone and Android.
Thinking about trying HA? Here are some great ‘redhead friendly’ products:
1. PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
2. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
3. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 30 ml
4. Timeless Skincare Hyaluronic Acid
Seen in an April 2017 H2BAR Box.
Remember to always do a test spot and apply to clean, damp skin!*
WATCH the tutorial below:
