How to Use Hyaluronic Acid in Your Skincare Routine (2025)

Hyaluronic acid adds moisture to your skin and can be applied once or twice a day. It’s available as a serum or moisturizer, and the product you choose determines when hyaluronic acid should be used in your skincare routine.

Hyaluronic Acid: Order of Application

Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body to help keep skin, eyes, and joints moist and lubricated. It's usually added to serums and moisturizers that can be used at home for skincare purposes. These can prevent and treat dry skin, especially in winter. Hyaluronic acid is also available in injectable form, but that's only available through a licensed professional.

How you use hyaluronic acid will depend on which product you choose. Here to add hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine:

1. Cleanse your face: The first step in any skincare routine is cleaning your face with a gentle cleanser.
2. Apply medications or treatments: If you are reusing hyaluronic acid for acne, this is the time to apply your acne medication.
3. Apply serums with hyaluronic acid: Apply a serum to your moist skin after moisturizing.
4. Apply moisturizer with hyaluronic acid: Give the serums and treatments a few minutes to sink in, then apply your moisturizer, including moisturizer with hyaluronic acid.
5. Apply sunscreen: If your moisturizer doesn't contain sunscreen, apply that after your moisturizer (you can skip this step at night).
6. Put on makeup: If you like to wear makeup, apply that last.

Different Forms of Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is available in many forms. They’re all considered pretty safe but can have different applications and uses. Here’s an overview:

• Hyaluronic acid moisturizer: This is applied topically to the skin and can help add hydration. Use it after cleansing and before applying sunscreen.
• Serum with hyaluronic acid: This is applied topically, usually right after cleansing and before a moisturizer.
• Hyaluronic acid injectables and fillers: These are applied with a needle underneath the skin. They’re safe, but only a professional should administer them.
• Hyaluronic acid powders: These powders are taken orally and may help with symptoms of arthritis or dry eye.

Should You Use Hyaluronic Acid Everyday?

Hyaluronic acid is safe to use daily as part of your skincare routine. You can even apply it twice daily—once in the morning and once in the evening. As always, follow the directions on your particular product since those are specified for the exact product you’re using. If you have any questions or concerns, talk with your dermatologist. (a doctor specializing in skin, hair, and nails).

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

The great thing about hyaluronic acid is that you may start seeing results right away. One study found that people saw immediate differences in skin moisture and the appearance of wrinkles after applying a serum with hyaluronic acid. They also experienced improvements in their skin after one week and four weeks of using the serum twice daily.

When Not to Use Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is considered very safe, and there aren’t any reasons that would prevent you from using it. Still, you should always test new products before applying them, especially to your face.

To do this, apply a small amount of moisturizer or serum to your forearm. Monitor the spot for a day, ensuring no itchiness, redness, or irritation. If not, you can apply the product to your face without worry.

Summary

Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body to help keep skin moist and joints lubricated. It is added to skincare products, including serums and moisturizers. It is safe to use these products twice a day after cleansing your face and applying sunscreen or makeup.

Hyaluronic acid can be an essential part of your skincare routine, and you may see the impact—including fewer wrinkles and more hydrated skin—almost immediately.