How do you like the sound of deeply hydrating your hair and scalp without feeling greasy or causing build-up? You would have seen hyaluronic acid serum exploding in popularity on Tik Tok for hydrating and plumping your skin but we bet you’ve never thought about using it on your hair. 

Before you get ahead of yourself, put your favourite Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum down because there’s a new kid on the block and it’s certainly one ingredient you’ll want to keep an eye out for in your hair care products. 

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is everywhere from serums, moisturisers and even injectable fillers! If you’re still not quite sure what it is and how it works, that’s where we come in. It’s found naturally in your eyes, skin and bone joints to bind, lubricate and hydrate your tissues. It works with collagen and elastin to give your skin structure, texture and tone however as you age those proteins decrease which is where you see a loss of volume and hydration. 

When used in your favourite skincare products, it hydrates the outer layer of your skin so you’re a more radiant and youthful version of your best self. As a humectant ingredient, it can retain moisture and bind 1000 times its weight in water, pretty impressive right? The best part is that the benefits aren’t just limited to skincare, even though it’s not naturally found in your hair, it can hydrate your locks in the same way it does your skin.

Is hyaluronic acid good for hair?

We can’t shout from the rooftops loud enough that yes, hyaluronic acid is good for your hair! You might spot it labelled as sodium hyaluronate in your hair care products but it works wonders by pulling water from the atmosphere and adding moisture to your hair follicles and scalp. 

If you struggle with an itchy scalp and flakes due to dryness then harsh winters, seasonal changes and indoor heating can lead to chronic scalp and hair conditions. This can be further irritated by product build-up, clogged follicles and a sensitive scalp microbiome when you don’t take a tailored approach to your haircare. Your scalp is just skin so hyaluronic acid allows collagen to thrive while sealing, soothing and retaining the proper balance of lipids, humectants and proteins needed for healthy hair. 

If frizziness, flyaways and split ends are your norm then you’ll get the most out of using hair care products that contain hyaluronic acid. Dry and damaged hair doesn’t easily retain water so hyaluronic acid fills in the cracks of porous hair shafts and seals any cuticles for effortless strength and shine. 

Does hyaluronic acid lighten hair?

Hyaluronic acid doesn’t lighten the colour of your hair in any way but it can be beneficial if you have damaged hair thanks to chemical colouring or excessive heat styling. Hair that has been bleached over and over again is more porous than healthy hair so it’ll have a tougher time absorbing moisture and retaining water because of cracks in the hair cuticle. Hyaluronic acid helps reduce porosity so your hair can retain moisture and stay as hydrated as you and your girlfriends on a thirsty Thursday.

Does hyaluronic acid help hair growth?

We’re sorry to say it but hyaluronic acid doesn’t actually prevent hair loss or make your hair grow faster. Hair loss often occurs because your strands are weak which makes them more prone to breaking when you’re combing or washing. Dreaded split ends are a whole other story, often thanks to heat styling and weather changes. 

Taking care of your scalp should be your number one priority when it comes to proper hair care because once a hair strand reaches the surface of your scalp it’s actually dead, gasp. If your scalp is dry or flaky then hair follicles may be blocked, meaning stunted hair growth and potentially hair loss.

This wonder ingredient can create a hydrated and balanced environment for your hair to grow by maintaining a healthy scalp microbiome and promoting cell rejuvenation which means your hair follicles are free to sprout new strands. With the plumping effects of hyaluronic acid on your side, it may make your hair look and feel more voluminous for ultimate bounce and body. 

How to apply hyaluronic acid to hair? 

Using a mask or leave-in product on damp hair will boost the concentration of hyaluronic acid as it acts like a sponge by absorbing water and trapping it to hydrate the cuticle. Taking care of your skin doesn’t stop at your face so after shampooing, apply a generous amount of esmi’s Hydrating Hair Mask to damp, towel-dried hair. 

Take a moment to treat yourself by massaging it into your scalp, which can help improve blood circulation and loosen up dead cells, and combing it through to the ends. The best part is that hyaluronic acid is lightweight and fast-absorbing so you don't need to worry about it making your roots oily or greasy! Leave it on for at least 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Make this treatment part of your self-care ritual by using 1-2 times per week for hair that’s shinier, softer and healthier.

Hyaluronic acid hair hacks

We know hyaluronic acid sounds too good to be true so here are a couple of hair hacks the esmi team love:

• The Hydrating Hair Mask should be applied to wet hair so it can pull and retain moisture from the dampness of the hair. 
• Avoid using hyaluronic acid haircare products on dry hair as it’ll have the opposite effect with the acid trying to pull whatever moisture is left in your hair. 
• You can support your body’s natural levels of hyaluronic acid by including bone broth and organ meat in your diet. Some of our favourite vegan options include grapefruits, oranges, tomatoes, berries and sweet potatoes.
• After you’ve rinsed the Hydrating Hair Mask, tame frizz and add shine with esmi’s Hyaluronic Hydrating Hair Serum. This weightless leave-in serum has been formulated with active and botanical ingredients to protect your strands from damaging UV rays and styling tools so add it to your morning ritual 3-5 per week.

Can you use hyaluronic acid skincare products to treat hair?

You might not have thought about it this way but your scalp has the same biological composition as the rest of your skin which means it can benefit from the same ingredients. Instead of experimenting with your own hair concoctions like you did at your teen sleepovers, look for formulas that are specifically designed for your hair. 

While there are no real risks or potential side effects to using hyaluronic acid on your scalp, it's best to proceed with caution before using your favorite facial serum on your head. You might find that these products weigh down your hair or contain active ingredients like retinols or AHA acids that can be irritating to a sensitive scalp.

Best hyaluronic acid for hair

Meet esmi’s Hydration Hair Mask, your new bathroom bestie that’s packed with essential actives and lush botanical ingredients to support your delicate scalp microbiome and increase hair health.

Formulated with esmi’s trademarked Hydrate Biome Blend, the colour-safe mask works well for all hair types and textures but you’ll see the best results if your hair tends to be dry, brittle, frizzy and damaged. This skin-inspired mask also protects against UV and heat damage so you can take a moment for yourself and feel good about feeding your hair for effortless body, bounce and shine. 

The hype surrounding hyaluronic acid for hair is very real and there’s really no reason you shouldn't be using it in your hair care routine. If you want to read more about this miracle ingredient, check out the benefits of hyaluronic acid for hair.