Glycolic Acid + Hyaluronic Acid
Safe to Combine
These ingredients are generally well-tolerated together with no special precautions needed.
Hyaluronic acid is an ideal pairing with glycolic acid, providing deep hydration to counterbalance exfoliation.
What the Research Says
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a humectant, not an exfoliating acid - despite the word "acid" in its name, it has a completely different mechanism than glycolic acid. HA is a glycosaminoglycan naturally found in the skin that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It works by drawing moisture from the environment and deeper skin layers to the surface, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
Glycolic acid exfoliation can temporarily compromise the skin barrier and increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Hyaluronic acid directly counteracts this by flooding the newly exfoliated skin with moisture. The combination is synergistic: glycolic acid removes the dead cell layer that can block HA absorption, allowing the humectant to penetrate more effectively and deliver hydration where it is needed most.
This pairing is particularly beneficial for those with dry or dehydrated skin who want to incorporate chemical exfoliation without exacerbating dryness.
Timing & How to Use
Apply glycolic acid first, wait 1-2 minutes, then layer hyaluronic acid on slightly damp skin for maximum hydration. Follow with a moisturizer to seal in the hydration. This order works for both morning and evening routines.
Practical Tips
- 1Apply hyaluronic acid to damp skin for best results - it needs water to pull from
- 2Look for products with multiple molecular weights of HA for multi-depth hydration
- 3Always follow HA with a moisturizer or occlusive to prevent it from drawing moisture out of the skin in dry climates
- 4This combination is especially helpful when first introducing glycolic acid to your routine
References
- Papakonstantinou E, et al. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):253-8.
- Kawada C, et al. Ingested hyaluronan moisturizes dry skin. Nutr J. 2014;13:70.
- Essendoubi M, et al. Human skin penetration of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights as probed by Raman spectroscopy. Skin Res Technol. 2016;22(1):55-62.
