The Ordinary hyaluronic acid serum: what it does and how to use it

What does The Ordinary hyaluronic acid do?

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that your body naturally makes. In skincare, its useful property is holding water, which helps skin look more plump and full. Dry or aging skin stands to benefit most. Hyaluronic acid is not an alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid, so do not treat it as an exfoliating treatment like glycolic or salicylic acid.1

Choose the serum for extra hydration, rather than promoting one bottle to the entire bathroom cabinet. Hyaluronic acid has little evidence as an acne treatment, so hydration is the useful goal rather than clearing breakouts.3

How do you use The Ordinary hyaluronic acid?

Build the serum into a moisturizing routine rather than using it instead of one. For dry skin, gentle cleansing and moisturizer help ease dryness and support the skin's protective barrier.4

1. 1Wash gently with a moisturizing cleanser and warm water rather than hot water, which strips natural oils.
2. 2Apply the serum using the amount and application directions printed on your bottle.
3. 3Apply moisturizer while your skin still has a little moisture on it. Damp skin helps hydration; you do not need to wait until your face is completely dry before moisturizing.
4. 4Before going outdoors, protect exposed skin with a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

A moisturizer still has a place after a hydration serum, even when the serum's name takes up most of the conversation. Moisturizing formulas can combine humectants, which attract water, with lipids such as ceramides and occlusives such as petrolatum, which help hold moisture in. For very dry skin, an ointment holds water in better than a cream.24

When should you use The Ordinary hyaluronic acid?

Let your bottle's directions decide whether you use the serum in the morning, evening or both. The practical anchor is moisturizing after washing, while skin is still damp. For dry skin, apply moisturizer within three minutes of bathing and again during the day when needed; that timing is for moisturizer, not a serum dosing rule.4

What results should you expect?

The realistic goals are better hydration, softer skin and a fuller appearance. Long term use of topical hyaluronic acid can improve skin flexibility and elasticity, meaning how well skin stretches and feels soft. There is no precise results timetable to give for this particular serum.3

A topical serum and an injectable hyaluronic acid filler are different treatments. Fillers are injected into skin to add volume and soften lines or depressions. Do not expect a serum to reproduce an injection's contour changes.5

What are the ingredients in The Ordinary hyaluronic acid?

Use the full ingredient list on your bottle to identify your formula. Hyaluronic acid also goes by hyaluronan or hyaluronate, and sodium hyaluronate is a common cosmetic form. Different forms vary in molecular size and properties, so the ingredient name alone is not enough to predict how a finished serum performs.36

Who should be careful?

Hyaluronic acid is not irritating to most people's skin, and reactions to the ingredient are rare. A finished serum contains other ingredients too, so sensitive skin calls for attention to the whole formula rather than just its headline ingredient.13

Hyaluronic acid itself is considered safe during pregnancy and nursing. For a combined formula or a routine involving prescription treatment, have your healthcare provider check the other ingredients and any treatment specific restrictions.3

If dryness or irritation remains a problem, especially alongside medication use or a health condition, a dermatologist can assess the cause and tailor treatment. Adding more serum is not a substitute for treating the reason your skin is uncomfortable.4