Quick answer: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a humectant: it attracts and holds water in the outer layers of skin. To get the most from it, apply it to damp skin, layer it after cleansing and toning, and always seal it in with a moisturizer. Used on dry skin in a dry room with nothing on top, hyaluronic acid can leave skin feeling tight instead of hydrated.
Damp skin, then seal: the method in a set
The Essentials Ritual
Cleanse, mist and seal with three hyaluronic acid formulas: N° 01 Cleansing Milk, N° 02 Saffron Mist and N° 05 Rich Cream.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule (a glycosaminoglycan) that your body makes naturally. A large share of the body's hyaluronic acid is found in skin, where it helps keep tissue cushioned and hydrated. Natural levels decline with age, which is one reason skin can feel less plump over time.
On ingredient labels you'll most often see it as sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It's more stable and easier to formulate, and it behaves the same way on skin.
Does hyaluronic acid really hold 1,000 times its weight in water?
That number is everywhere, but it's not well supported. A 2024 paper in the Journal of Cosmetic Science examined the claim and called it a fallacy, noting that hyaluronic acid's real water-binding capacity on skin is far more modest. It's still an excellent, well-tolerated humectant. Just don't expect a single ingredient to do the work of an entire routine.
How to use hyaluronic acid correctly
- Cleanse gently. Harsh cleansers strip lipids and make hydration harder to hold. N° 01 Cleansing Milk cleanses with squalane, macadamia oil and hyaluronic acid.
- Keep skin damp. Mist or pat on a hydrating toner right away. Humectants work best when there's water on the skin to hold. N° 02 Saffron Mist is designed for this step.
- Apply your HA layer. This might be a hyaluronic acid serum or an essence that contains HA, like N° 03 Renewal Essence.
- Add your treatment serum, such as the copper peptide serum N° 04 Copper Concentrate, which also contains hyaluronic acid.
- Seal it in. Finish with a moisturizer containing emollients and occlusives. N° 05 Rich Cream uses shea butter, squalane and jojoba to slow water loss.
- Sunscreen in the morning.
See the full skincare routine order for more detail on layering.
Why can hyaluronic acid make skin feel drier?
Humectants pull water toward themselves. When the air is very dry and skin is left without a moisturizer on top, water can evaporate from the surface faster than it's replaced, leaving skin feeling tight. The fix is simple:
- Apply HA to damp skin, not bone-dry skin.
- Always follow with a moisturizer to lock the water in.
- In winter or air-conditioned rooms, choose a richer cream and consider a humidifier.
The seal step
N° 05 Rich Cream
Organic shea butter, squalane, jojoba and hyaluronic acid to lock in hydration. Fragrance-free, 50 mL.
Low vs. high molecular weight hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid comes in different molecular sizes. High molecular weight HA stays on the surface and forms a smoothing, hydrating film. Lower molecular weight forms are smaller and are used to hydrate the upper layers of skin. Many formulas combine sizes for both effects.
What can you mix with hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid works with almost everything: peptides, snail mucin, niacinamide, vitamin C, retinol, ceramides and exfoliating acids. It's often paired with stronger actives to keep skin comfortable. For examples, see our guides to copper peptides and snail mucin.
Hydration at every step
Hyaluronic acid in all five formulas.
The Complete Ritual layers hydration from cleanser to cream for $282 instead of $332. Take another 10% off with code BARE.
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Frequently asked questions
Should I apply hyaluronic acid to wet or dry skin?
Damp skin. Hyaluronic acid holds water best when there's moisture on the skin, so apply it after a mist or toner.
Does hyaluronic acid go before or after moisturizer?
Before. Apply hyaluronic acid first, then seal it in with moisturizer.
Can I use hyaluronic acid twice a day?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid is gentle enough for morning and night use.
Why does my skin feel dry after using hyaluronic acid?
Usually because it was applied to dry skin or not sealed in with a moisturizer, especially in dry air. Apply it to damp skin and follow with a cream.
Is sodium hyaluronate the same as hyaluronic acid?
Sodium hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It's more stable and is the form most skincare products use.
Is hyaluronic acid good for oily skin?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid hydrates without adding oil, so it suits oily and combination skin too.
Which Hello Evy products contain hyaluronic acid?
All five: N° 01 Cleansing Milk, N° 02 Saffron Mist, N° 03 Renewal Essence, N° 04 Copper Concentrate and N° 05 Rich Cream each contain sodium hyaluronate.
Sources
- The fallacy of hyaluronic acid binding a thousand times its weight in water. J Cosmet Sci. 2024;75(1):37–48. Read the paper
Keep reading
This article is for general education and isn't medical advice. If you have a skin condition, talk to a board-certified dermatologist.