Most Australian women know hyaluronic acid is good for skin. Yet a recent global skin quality survey run by TEOXANE, Swiss experts in the science of hyaluronic acid, with Ipsos found a surprising gap.
In Australia, 1 in 5 people say they are unsure what HA actually does yet 47% say they frequently buy skincare that contains it. At the same time, 72% of Australians say they prefer scientifically proven products and 75% believe better skin quality can boost their self-confidence.
So, we are buying the buzz ingredient but not always understanding it or using it to its full potential.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Skin expert and cosmetic injector Hamed Vardough describes HA in the simplest possible way, “If you remember just one thing, remember this–hyaluronic acid is a water-binder. It helps your skin hold onto water, so it looks smoother and feels more comfortable.”
HA is a sugar-like molecule that already exists naturally in your skin. Its job is to attract and hold water. When it is working well, skin feels bouncy, less tight and reflects light more evenly, so it looks fresher.
Over time, UV exposure, stress and natural ageing reduce our own HA levels. Skin can then:
- feel dry or tight
- look dull or rough
- show fine lines more easily
- become more reactive or sensitive
“It is not a time machine or a wrinkle eraser,” Vardough adds. “What HA does brilliantly is hydration. When you improve hydration, almost every other concern looks better–texture, radiance, even how makeup sits on the skin.”
The new skin frontier
The survey shows Australians place a lot of importance in how their skin feels day to day. Two in three say they follow a skincare routine and we are most concerned about products that moisturise and protect from sun damage. At the same time, we are one of the nations most likely to report regular stress, a known skin disruptor.
Vardough says this reflects a global shift from anti-ageing to a focus on skin quality and pro-ageing.
“People are interested in healthy, resilient skin that still looks like them,” he explains. “Skin quality is about hydration, smoothness, glow, even tone and how calm or reactive the skin feels through the week.”
This is where the idea of “prejuvenation” comes in, like taking small, smart steps in your 30s, 40s and 50s to support skin before deep lines or laxity fully set in.
“Prejuvenation is not about doing everything early,” Vardough says. “It is about good habits like daily sunscreen, consistent hydration, gentle routines and for some people, in-clinic aesthetic treatments that focus on improving skin quality rather than changing your features.”
How different forms of HA behave on the skin
If HA is just a hydrator, why do some products feel amazing and others feel sticky or underwhelming?
According to Vardough, it comes down to how the HA is built and how it is formulated.
- Linear HA – the standard form for many serums and creams. This is made of straight chains. It gives a quick hit of surface hydration, but your skin enzymes break it down relatively fast.
- Cross-linked HA – where the chains are gently tied together into a flexible net. This is more stable and lasts longer in the skin. This style of HA is designed for longer-lasting, optimal hydration and support.
RHA® technology takes this concept further by creating a form of cross-linked HA designed to move with facial expressions instead of sitting rigidly in the tissue. In skincare, RHA® is used to form an invisible, flexible mesh on the surface that mimics the skin’s natural HA network.
“Think of standard HA as a basic sponge,” Vardough says. “RHA® is like a resilient 3D mesh that stretches and springs back. It is engineered to respect movement while supporting hydration and skin quality over time.”
How to read the HA label correctly
If 1 in 5 Australians are unsure what HA does, it is not because they are not interested. Vardough believes it is because marketing is louder than education.
“Terms like ‘triple HA’, ‘nano HA’ or ‘1000x its weight in water’ sound impressive but do not tell you how the product will actually feel or behave on your skin,” he says. “A well-designed, multi-weight HA formula in a texture you enjoy will always beat a sticky serum with a big number on the box.”
His quick HA checklist:
- Apply HA on slightly damp skin, not bone-dry
- Always follow with a moisturiser to lock the water in
- If a serum feels sticky, try using fewer drops and give it 30–60 seconds before layering cream or SPF
- If skin still feels dry, you may need a richer moisturiser or fewer exfoliating acids, not more HA
Where RHA-powered skincare fits in a prejuvenation routine
For women 40–45+ who want to support skin quality without over-complicating their routine, Vardough suggests a simple structure:
Morning
- Gentle cleanse
- Antioxidant or brightening serum if you use one
- RHA-based hydrating serum or cream to boost and maintain water levels
- Moisturiser if your skin is dry
- Broad-spectrum SPF50+
Evening
- Cleanse
- Treatment step if needed, for example a gentle retinoid a few nights per week
- RHA-based hydrator on damp skin
- Barrier-supporting moisturiser
“HA is not there to do everything,” he says. “Think of it as the hydration backbone of your routine. Once that is in place, other actives tend to work better and feel more comfortable.”
When to talk to a professional
If you are dealing with more advanced concerns like ongoing sensitivity, significant texture change or deeper lines, Vardough recommends booking a consultation with a qualified skin professional.
“In clinic we can assess your skin quality properly, look at lifestyle factors like stress and sleep and then decide whether you will do best with topical skincare alone, aesthetic procedures or a combination of both,” he says. “The aim is always the same. Skin that feels hydrated, resilient and authentically you.”
The bottom line
Australians clearly care about their skin. We invest in routines, we value confidence and we are drawn to ingredients backed by science. Yet the survey numbers show a big opportunity: to understand hyaluronic acid as more than just a buzzword.
For you, it can be as simple as choosing smarter hydration, focusing on skin quality and embracing the idea that beauty has no expiry date.
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