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December 21, 2022
mbg Assistant Beauty Editor
mbg Assistant Beauty Editor
Hannah Frye is the Assistant Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women’s, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including health, wellness, sustainability, personal development, and more.
Image by Ohlamour Studio / Stocksy
December 21, 2022
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Hyaluronic acid has quite the résumé when it comes to skin care benefits. For instance, after applying the jellylike topical, your complexion will appear more hydrated and plumper immediately. But if this ingredient is so good, why not use it in more ways than one?
Ahead, discover a few bonus ways to use hyaluronic acid that you might not have thought of before to reap all of its beauty-enhancing benefits:
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Hyaluronic acid is a deeply hydrating topical yet leaves no lingering residue. This combination makes it ideal for use on the scalp. If you experience any of the following, a simple hyaluronic acid serum may help:
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Look for a scalp serum that’s fragrance-free and designed for the scalp. Once you find one you love, use the serum on any dry spots, before a scalp massage, or as a bonus step before hair slugging—here’s how to do the latter, plus some benefits.
While 50% of the body’s total amount of hyaluronic acid resides in the skin1, it’s also present in tissues, joints, and blood vessels; specifically, it plays a key role in helping joints feel lubricated2, potentially supporting joint health as we age.
Plus, the hyaluronic acid in your body diminishes as you age3—which is one reason dryness and skin aging tend to go hand in hand. Further, by the time you reach your 40s, you have around 50% of the HA you had during your younger years, naturopathic doctor Nigma Talib, N.D., once told mbg.
The solution? Add a hyaluronic acid supplement to your daily routine to restore your natural levels and plump your skin from the inside out. Some formulas will also include a blend of other beauty-centric ingredients such as collagen or biotin. Here’s a curated list of our top choices to make your shopping just a bit easier.
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If you want plumper, fuller lips, then you should look for hyaluronic acid in your next lip balm. The plumping occurs because of HA’s humectant properties: When applied to the lips, hyaluronic acid helps pull water into the lips, adding a subtle plumping effect.
Pro tip
Apply your lip balm to damp lips to ensure there’s enough water for the HA to feed on. Rather than licking your lips to make them wet, run your finger under water and dab a bit onto your lips pre-balm.
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The takeaway.
Hyaluronic acid does so much more than hydrate the face—though the topical benefits are certainly noteworthy. Try using a hyaluronic-acid-infused scalp serum to hydrate your roots, ingest HA to replenish your internal bank, and look for hyaluronic acid in your next lip balm as a natural plumper. Want to learn more about the full-body benefits? Check out our guide.
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