noun

hyaluronic acid

hy-uh-loo-RON-ik ASS-id

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Hyaluronic acid (noun) means 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. Example: “The serum's first listed ingredient after water was hyaluronic acid.”

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.

"The serum's first listed ingredient after water was hyaluronic acid."

"Her surgeon explained that the gel injected into the knee was a form of hyaluronic acid."

How to use hyaluronic acid

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA natural substance in the body that holds on to a lot of water, now added to lots of face products.

When to use it

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

Memory tip

The word acid here signals chemistry, not strength: hyaluronic acid is not an exfoliant and behaves very differently from the acids used to resurface skin.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

salicylic acid → glycolic acid sodium hyaluronate

Common pairings

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

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “hyaluronic acid” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The serum's first listed ingredient after water was _____.

Etymology

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

Origin: English

Synonyms

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hyaluronan HA sodium hyaluronate

Related words

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Rhymes for hyaluronic acid

acid placid antacid

See all rhymes for 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.

What is the meaning of hyaluronic acid?

"hyaluronic acid" (noun) means 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.

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