An error occured on the server, please try later or contact the customer service

You're in offline mode with limited website functionalities. Please check your network connection.

Javascript seems to be disabled in your browser. In order to get the best possible experience please enable Javascript and reload the page.

Find Professional

Log in
My cart

Main content

Back to Skincare Ingredients Explained

Hand holding H.A. Intensifer serum against a grey background

The Dos & Don’ts of Mixing Hyaluronic Acid with Other Skincare Ingredients

Hyaluronic Acid is the skincare world’s answer to healthy and hydrated skin. Naturally produced by the body, this effective humectant helps the skin to attract and retain water – in fact, it is estimated that HA can hold up to 1000x its weight in water. Unsurprisingly, this hydrating action can have multiple benefits on the skin from plumping fine lines and wrinkles, improving radiance, and protecting the skin barrier.

It's also suitable for all skin types depending on the specific formula as it’s incredibly lightweight and gentle, so it will not generate additional oil to blemish-prone skin types. This makes it ideal for pairing with active ingredients and soothing the skin.

Read on to find out which ingredients hyaluronic acid can be mixed with and the best way of combining them within your skincare routine.

24 Jul 2024

Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C

Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol

Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide

Hyaluronic Acid and Glycolic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid and Salicylic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid and Azelaic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid and Ferulic Acid

Q: Can you combine hyaluronic acid and vitamin C?

A:

Yes, you can! The antioxidant vitamin C and humectant hyaluronic acid have a lot in common. Both have powerful skin benefits and proven anti-ageing efficacy, making them a excellent duo when paired together. Use them together in your morning skincare routine to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sun spots. Shop this serum pairing in our SkinCeuticals.co.uk exclusive skincare set, Brighten + Hydrate, to save £43*.

Q: Can you combine hyaluronic acid and retinol?

A:

Yes, hyaluronic acid and retinol complement each other well. As retinol creates a deep exfoliating action on the skin that increases skin-cell turnover, it may create some dryness. By combining retinol with a hyaluronic acid serum, and moisture loss is prevented. It also helps to strengthen the skin’s natural protective barrier. Discover Retinol 0.3, SkinCeuticals potent night-time refining cream, encapsulated with pure retinol to ensure a steady, even release and formulated to minimise skin irritation.

Woman dropping H.A. Intensifier serum formula from a pipette, back into the bottle. Woman is blurred in background, with the serum in focus. Text reads “Use H.A. Intensifier to plump and smooth”.

Q: Can you combine hyaluronic acid and niacinamide?

A:

Yes and hyaluronic acid and niacinamide make an incredibly hydrating duo. While both ingredients are humectants that help to hydrate the skin and strengthen the skin barrier, they work in slightly different ways.

Q: Can you combine hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid?

A:

Yes, you can combine hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid as both have very different actions on the skin. Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that promotes skin cell turnover and removes dead skin cells while tackling congestion and creating a smooth and even texture. As hyaluronic acid supports hydration and water retention, which is especially important when exfoliating the skin, it’s an ideal partner to glycolic acid. To experience both ingredients in one solution, try SkinCeuticals bi-functional exfoliating and hydrating serum, Retexturing Activator.

Q: Can you combine hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid?

A:

Yes, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid work well together. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid used in many serums and cleansers for its deep exfoliating action. This makes it ideal for helping combat excess oil, congestion, and blemish-prone skin. Hydration is also integral to managing excess oil in the skin, so combining hyaluronic acid can help to prevent moisture loss caused by exfoliation while strengthening the skin’s barrier function. Discover SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 serum, featuring hyaluronic acid, and Blemish + Age Defense serum, featuring salicylic acid to experience this ingredient paring.

Four skincare serums from SkinCeuticals, including H.A. Intensifier, Retexturing Activator, Hydrating B5, and Phyto Corrective.

Q: Can you combine hyaluronic acid and azelaic acid?

A:

Yes, you can combine hyaluronic acid and azelaic acid and many dermatologists would recommend doing so. It also increases skin cell turnover with a gentle exfoliating action that can cause some dryness. Hyaluronic acid complements this by maintaining good hydration levels and a strong barrier function.

Q: Can you combine hyaluronic acid and ferulic acid

A:

Yes, you can combine hyaluronic acid and ferulic acid. Ferulic acid is an antioxidant so it helps to protect the skin from free radical damage and premature ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid can also help to reduce signs of ageing by plumping up the skin and replenishing our own natural levels of the moisture (which deplete as we age). Try SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum, containing ferulic acid, and HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan serum, containing hyaluronic acid, to experience this powerful ingredient paring.

Discover SkinCeuticals products which contain hyaluronic acid, such as HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan, to help improve your skin’s hydration.

"HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan is really looking at hydration levels in the skin, plumping through to the epidermis layers. Its increasing hydration levels so great for the more mature skin type, those suffering with dehydration loss of volume. It’s also the perfect companion to fillers."
- Dr. Laura Lenihan, GP

*If you are considering an aesthetic treatment, always consult a Medical Professional. HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan is a cosmetic skincare product for topical use. Do not inject. Only apply on healed skin.