Are You Using Hyaluronic Acid Correctly?

Mar 4

Written By Erika t

I Sure Wasn’t...How I Learned to Use Hyaluronic Acid the Right Way

I feel like there’s a real controversy around hyaluronic acid. Everyone I ask either loves it and can’t get enough, or they look at me with a blank stare and say it dries out their skin and they won’t touch it.

I was introduced to hyaluronic acid about five years ago. Before I truly understood how to use it, I was on the “blank stare” team. I had acne from ages 15 to 21 and tried every skincare trend imaginable, including, yes, toothpaste on my pimples. As I got older, I switched from extreme trends to dermatologist-recommended products like hyaluronic acid.

If you’re not familiar, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in our skin that helps maintain hydration. It draws moisture into the skin and keeps it there. Over time, natural levels decline, especially in dry or cold climates like Canada, leaving skin less supple. Using this ingredient correctly in your skincare routine can help restore moisture, smooth fine lines, and support your skin’s barrier.

The Skincare Mistake I Was Making

When I first started using hyaluronic acid, I followed the “usual” routine: remove makeup with micellar water, cleanse with a gentle non-stripping cleanser, towel dry my face, apply a hyaluronic acid serum, and then moisturizer over top.

Seems perfect, right? A routine that would hydrate and calm my dry, pimply skin? Not quite. My face became drier and more congested, and it felt like nothing was nourishing it. I assumed my skin was purging (what is purging – Skinstitut Canada) and that it would clear up in a couple of months. Nope. Even with consistent use, I still saw flaky skin and new pimples almost every day.

Can you spot what I was doing wrong? If so, congratulations, you’re a skincare wizard, and I wish I were you back then.

The Secret: Apply Hyaluronic Acid to Damp Skin

After hours of searching “Why is hyaluronic acid making my skin drier?”, reading multiple routines and expert tips, the lightbulb went off. The mistake? Towel-drying my face completely before applying serum.

Here’s the secret: after cleansing, apply a hyaluronic acid serum while your skin is still damp. This ensures the hyaluronic acid binds to water on the skin’s surface rather than pulling moisture from the deeper layers. Then, follow with a moisturizer to lock in hydration. (How to apply hyaluronic acid to damp skin – Cetaphil Canada)

What Changed After I Did It Right

I washed my face, patted some water away (keeping it damp), applied the serum, and continued this routine for three months. The results? My skin felt like a tall glass of water, day and night. Dry patches disappeared, breakouts calmed, tears cleared, and my skin finally felt nourished.

Two years later, sticking to this method consistently has made a massive difference. My confidence in my skincare routine is higher than ever, and I no longer fear hyaluronic acid.