Hyaluronic Acid Myths!

If you’ve ever Googled “best hydrating serum” in Malaysia, chances are hyaluronic acid (HA) pops up everywhere, from drugstore brands to K-beauty favourites. But along with the hype comes a lot of misinformation:

“HA makes my skin drier.”
“You can only use it if you have very dry skin.”
“It doesn’t work in air-conditioned or hot weather.”

Let’s clear all that up so you can actually get the juicy, bouncy-skin benefits you’re paying for.

What Exactly Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant; an ingredient that attracts and holds onto water in your skin, helping it stay hydrated, supple, and plump.

Your body naturally makes HA (it’s found in your skin, joints, and eyes), but levels decline with age and environmental stress. Topical HA in skincare (like serums and creams) helps replenish moisture, improve texture and elasticity, and soften the look of fine lines.

You’ll see hyaluronic acid in many formats:

• As a serum (e.g. pure HA or HA + B5)

• In moisturisers and creams

• Hidden inside “hydrating” or “plumping” formulas, especially in anti-aging and barrier-repair products.

Common Hyaluronic Acid Myths Malaysians Need to Stop Believing

Myth 1: “Hyaluronic acid makes skin drier, especially in air-conditioned rooms.”

This is half-truth, not full truth.

HA pulls water from wherever it can find it: the environment or the deeper layer.

If you:

• Apply HA on very dry skin,

• In very dry air (strong air-cond, long flights),

• And don’t seal it with moisturiser,

it can end up pulling water from your skin rather than the air — making you feel tighter or drier.

Dermatology brands now explain that HA itself doesn’t “dry out” skin, it’s incorrect usage that can cause that uncomfortable feeling.

How to fix it (especially in Malaysia):

1. Apply HA on slightly damp skin after cleansing or toning.

2. Always follow with a moisturiser (gel or cream, depending on your skin type).

3. If you’re in a strong air-conditioned room all day, layer a richer cream at night or use a sleeping mask for extra occlusion.

Done right, HA should feel bouncy, not tight.

Myth 2: “Hyaluronic acid is only for dry or mature skin”

In Malaysia, many of us have oily or combination skin but still feel tight, flaky, or dull, that’s usually dehydration (lack of water), not just “dry skin” (lack of oil).

Because HA adds water, not oil, it’s actually helpful for:

• Oily / acne-prone skin

  • Rehydrates without heaviness; can reduce compensatory oiliness.

• Combination skin

  • Hydrates dry cheeks without overloading oily T-zone.

• Sensitive or barrier-damaged skin

  • Gentle hydration helps calm tight, compromised skin.

So if your skin feels:

• Tight after washing

• Greasy yet flaky around the nose

• Dull even though you “moisturise.”

…you’re exactly the person HA was made for.

Myth 3: “All hyaluronic acid is the same”

Not true at all.

HA comes in different molecular weights (sizes):

• High molecular weight (HMW-HA)
  Stays more on the skin surface, great for immediate surface hydration and reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

• Low molecular weight (LMW-HA)
  Smaller particles that can penetrate deeper into the epidermis, helping with plumpness and wrinkle reduction.

Clinical reviews show that using a mix of different HA sizes helps hydrate multiple layers of the skin and can visibly improve wrinkles, elasticity, and overall skin quality.

• The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 features multiple HA molecular weights plus a crosspolymer for multi-depth hydration.

• Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum uses three forms of HA with different molecular weights to hydrate various layers of the skin.

When you see “multi-weight HA”, you’re generally looking at a more sophisticated, longer-lasting hydrator.

Myth 4: “You cannot mix HA with acids, retinol, or vitamin C”

Good news: HA is one of the easiest ingredients to pair.

Dermatologists often recommend using HA alongside actives like retinoids, AHAs/BHAs, and vitamin C to cushion potential dryness or irritation.

Brand education from labs like The Ordinary also clarifies that HA doesn’t conflict with common active ingredients, and can actually help support the skin while you use them.The Ordinary

How to layer in a typical routine:

1. Cleanser

2. Toner / essence

3. Actives (AHA/BHA, vitamin C, niacinamide, etc.)

4. Hyaluronic acid serum

5. Moisturiser

6. Sunscreen (AM)

Think of HA as your hydration buffer, especially if you’re just starting retinol or chemical exfoliants.

Myth 5: “A hyaluronic acid serum is enough on its own”

This is where many Malaysians go wrong.

HA is a water magnet, not a complete moisturiser. On its own, it pulls water in but without emollients and occlusives to lock that water in, the hydration can evaporate.

Several clinical studies on HA-based creams and serums show the best improvements in hydration and barrier function when HA is used in a moisturising formula or followed by a cream.

For example:

• CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum combines HA with ceramides and vitamin B5, providing up to 24 hours of hydration while strengthening the skin barrier.

So always treat your HA serum as a hydration step, not the final step.

How to Use Hyaluronic Acid Correctly (Malaysia-Friendly Routine)

Here’s a simple, practical way to get the most out of HA in our hot–humid–air-cond lifestyle.

Morning Routine

1. Gentle Cleanser – Don’t strip your barrier.

2. Hydrating Toner / Essence (optional) – Great if you like K-beauty style layering.

3. Hyaluronic Acid Serum

   • Apply on slightly damp skin (from toner or mist).

   • 2–3 drops are enough for the whole face.

4. Moisturiser

   • Oily/combination: choose a light gel-cream.

   • Dry/mature: a cream or lotion with ceramides, squalane, or oils.

5. Sunscreen – Non-negotiable, especially in Malaysian UV.

Night Routine

1. Cleanser

2. Exfoliating serum / retinol (if you use them, not every night if you’re a beginner)

3. Hyaluronic Acid Serum – To rehydrate after actives.

4. Moisturiser

5. Optional: sleeping mask for extra sealing, especially if you sleep in air-cond.

Bonus Tips Just for M’sians

• Work in an office with strong air-cond all day?

  • Keep a hydrating mist nearby and top up moisture, but still rely on serum + moisturiser as your core.

• Travel by plane often?

  • Apply HA + moisturiser before the flight, and reapply a lightweight cream mid-flight if needed.

• Very oily but tight?

  • Don’t skip moisturiser. Instead, choose a non-comedogenic gel moisturiser over HA.

Conclusion

Used the right way, hyaluronic acid won’t dry you out or clog your pores; it can be the simple, everyday step that keeps your skin plump, comfy, and glowier, whether you’re in hot sun or freezing air-conditioned.

On Threebs Malaysia, you can:

• Shop Hyaluronic Acid Collection – Explore serums, toners, creams and more featuring HA (link to your “Hyaluronic Acid” ingredient/collection page).

• Browse Hydrating Skincare – For gels, creams, and serums that lock in moisture (link to “Hydrating” benefit and “Serum” collections).

• Discover Anti-Aging with HA – Products that combine HA with actives to smooth fine lines and boost elasticity (link to “Anti-aging” benefit collection)

Shop now on Threebs.co and give your skin the hydration it’s been silently asking for.