Sally As someone who cares greatly about skin and with a deep passion for skincare and skincare products, I thought it would be useful to look closer at the link between hyaluronic acid and acne. As a long-time enthusiast of all things glow-enhancing, I’m going to share what I’ve found when I was researching ‘can hyaluronic acid cause acne?’. I’ve got all the advice from the top skincare experts, including acne breakouts right here in this one post, so you can get all the answers you need.
Can Hyaluronic Acid Cause Acne?
Spoiler alert: the answer might just be good news.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is actually a naturally occurring molecule in our connective tissues, skin, and eyes. It’s a glycosaminoglycan, which is a fancy word for a moisture-magnet that can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water. That makes it a pretty powerful thing, and you could call it a hydration hero, perhaps?
You’ve probably heard of hyaluronic acid. It’s one of the beauty industry buzzwords at the moment. It’s perhaps the reason why you’ve started searching online for more information. You’ll find that hyaluronic acid is likely to be in your favourite hyaluronic acid serum, in hyaluronic acid moisturisers, and even in injectable fillers. Some people use them for plumping up their skin and treating things like acne scars.
Can Hyaluronic Acid Cause Acne?
Let me give you the short answer. In most cases, it’s a no.
Hyaluronic acid is non-comedogenic, which is another fancy buzzword. But it basically means it won’t clog your pores. This is what causes acne and spot breakouts.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid actually hydrates the skin without a heavy residue. It will hydrate your skin barrier function, and it’s brilliant at reducing the excess oil your skin might have produced.
The great news is that skincare experts, the dermatologists, all agree that it’s very unlikely that hyaluronic acid is the reason behind your acne and skin irritation.
You’ll actually find that hydration from hyaluronic acid is likely to help those with dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, and acne-prone skin. It’s so versatile that pretty much all skin types can use hyaluronic acid to make their skin that little bit better. It’s a wonderful ingredient.
I’ve Got A Breakout
When breakouts happen after using hyaluronic acid on your skin, it’s very unlikely to be caused by using hyaluronic acid. It’s much more likely to have been caused by something else. Let’s have a look at what else might have caused your breakout.
Sometimes products containing hyaluronic acid are also mixed with comedogenic oils, something as coconut oil or scents, that can irritate your skin. Oils can be particularly clogging in your pores.
You might find that heavy or occlusive hyaluronic acid moisturisers might trap buildup on your skin. This may have caused the breakout. This is quite likely for those with oily skin.
It’s worth noting that hyaluronic acid itself usually doesn’t cause any kind of temporary reaction; it might be another ingredient, like alpha hydroxy acids or retinoids. But you think it’s the hyaluronic acid that’s aggravated your skin. It’s worth looking at the active ingredients and seeing if you can isolate what is irritating your skin.
In rare cases, you may have an allergic reaction or sensitivity to hyaluronic acid, as everyone’s skin is unique. I’d suggest doing a patch test before using hyaluronic acid all over your face. As with anything, there are always potential side effects and adverse effects, so you should always test new or different products first.
You may find that over-moisturising with multiple layers of hyaluronic acid could cause issues with your skin barrier. In particular, Dr. Shereene Idriss has written about the issues that might arise with the overuse of hyaluronic acid.
Can I Use Hyaluronic Acid If I’m Acne-Prone?
The short answer is yes!
You’ll find that it will give you that much-needed skin hydration without adding oil or clogging your pores. It will also help regulate sebum production, which is one way of indirectly fighting acne.
Regular use of hyaluronic acid helps improve skin elasticity, plumps fine lines, and gives you a fresh, healthy-looking complexion through its hydrating properties. Isn’t that what we all want? Amazing overall skin health, with a reduced appearance of fine lines and a reduction in dead skin cells? Yes please! That’s exactly what I want.
Hyaluronic acid works well alongside active ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C, glycolic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids, so you can use a good range of products within your skincare routine without the worry of a flare-up. But remember to test anything in case the active ingredients cause a breakout.
Tips For Using Hyaluronic Acid Without Risk of Breakouts
Test! You should always patch test new hyaluronic acid products before applying them to your entire face. I’d suggest trying a small amount behind your ear or inner arm for 24–48 hours. If there’s no reaction, go for it.
It’s a good idea to read the ingredient list thoroughly. For acne-prone skin types, you should be looking out for comedogenic oils, fragrances, or heavy emollients that could trigger your acne.
If you do suffer from breakouts, you should start with just a few products in your skincare routine. Having a simple skincare routine with active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide plus a hydrating hyaluronic acid is often enough for acne-prone skin.
Also, take a read of Can Dehydration Cause Acne.
When using hyaluronic acid, I’d suggest applying it on damp skin, then follow with moisturiser to lock in hydration. You’ll find that this will work the best for your skin.
Don’t overuse hyaluronic acid. One or twice a day is more than enough. If you have more sensitive skin, often less is better. A thin layer of hyaluronic acid followed by a light moisturiser is quite often enough for acne-prone skin. Overuse can cause more problems for acne sufferers.
If you are still experiencing problems with acne after using hyaluronic acid, you should speak to your doctor or a dermatologist. They will be able to advise you on what’s best based on your individual skin type and issues.
So, can hyaluronic acid cause acne? For most of us, the answer is actually no. Hyaluronic acid is actually a good egg and something you should be adding to your skincare routine.
In most cases, breakouts following the use of hyaluronic acid are most like to be due to other ingredients and not hyaluronic acid itself. So test and see what works for your skin.
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