hyaluronic acid

3 synonyms for hyaluronic acid, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A substance that occurs naturally in skin, joints and eyes, made of long chains of sugar molecules, and able to hold a large amount of water relative to its weight. It is widely added to skincare products and is also used in medicine, including in injectable fillers.

Synonyms

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Rare, literary or technical

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hyaluronan sodium hyaluronate

How to use hyaluronic acid

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hyaluronic acid serum low molecular weight hyaluronic acid hyaluronic acid filler topical hyaluronic acid

Common in cosmetics labelling and consumer press; also standard medical vocabulary in ophthalmology and joint medicine.

Etymology

From hyaloid, meaning glassy, plus uronic acid, reflecting the sugar units the molecule is built from.

Full origin of hyaluronic acid →

Frequently asked questions

Is hyaluronic acid an exfoliating acid?

No. Despite the name, it does not work like glycolic or salicylic acid, which loosen dead surface cells. Hyaluronic acid is a large water-binding molecule, and it is grouped with humectants rather than with exfoliating acids.

What does a humectant do?

A humectant is an ingredient that attracts and holds water. In a cosmetic formula it draws moisture into the product and the upper layers of the skin, which is the role hyaluronic acid plays.

What is sodium hyaluronate?

It is the salt form of hyaluronic acid, and it appears on ingredient lists in place of, or alongside, hyaluronic acid. It is a smaller, more stable version of the same underlying molecule.

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