Hyaluronic Acid in Moisturiser: What It Does for Skin Hydration
Updated November 1, 2026 · 2 sources
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule found naturally in the skin that can hold onto water. A review in Dermato-Endocrinology describes it as the key molecule involved in skin moisture, with a unique capacity for retaining water.* [1] In a moisturiser, it works as a humectant that holds water in the skin's surface layers, alongside lipids such as ceramides that help keep that water in. Epidora Barrier Repair Moisturiser contains hyaluronic acid with a Ceramide Complex and niacinamide.
What hyaluronic acid does
It’s part of your skin already. Hyaluronic acid (often shortened to HA) is a natural part of skin. The review explains that skin keeps its resilience and pliability partly because of its high water content, and that daily external stress, along with the normal process of ageing, causes skin to lose moisture.* [1]
It holds water. The same review calls HA the key molecule involved in skin moisture because of its capacity to retain water.* [1] That’s why it shows up in so many moisturisers and serums.
It’s a humectant. In skincare, a humectant is an ingredient that draws water into the outer layer of the skin. Other humectants include glycerin and urea. Read more in Urea and Glycerin in Skincare.
The research here is about hyaluronic acid as a molecule in skin, not a study of Epidora Barrier Repair Moisturiser.
How it works with ceramides
A moisturiser usually combines two kinds of ingredients:
| Ingredient type | What it does | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Humectants | Attract water into the outer layer | Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, urea |
| Lipids | Make up the layers between skin cells that help hold water in | Ceramides, cholesterol |
Ceramides are lipids found naturally in the skin’s outer layer, where they make up a major part of the lipid layers between skin cells and play an essential role in the skin’s water barrier.* [2] Pairing a humectant with lipids means one draws water in and the other helps hold it there.
Epidora Barrier Repair Moisturiser: it contains a Ceramide Complex (3 ceramides + cholesterol), hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. For more on ceramides, read Ceramide Cream for Face.
How much to use
Oily skin: keep the step. Use a thin layer.
Combination skin: use less on the T-zone and more on the cheeks.
Dry skin: use it morning and night, and a little more where skin feels tight.
Skin conditions: if you have a skin condition or are under a doctor’s care, ask your doctor before starting new skincare.
How to use a hyaluronic acid moisturiser
- Cleanse and pat skin dry, leaving it slightly damp if you like.
- Apply your serum first, if you use one.
- Smooth the moisturiser over face and neck.
- In the morning, finish with sunscreen.
Step-by-step: How to Use Ceramide Moisturiser.
Where it fits in a full routine
| Time | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Cleanse | Serum | Moisturiser with hyaluronic acid | Sunscreen |
| Night | Cleanse | Serum | Moisturiser with hyaluronic acid | — |
Keep the order the same every day. If your skin feels tight in dry or air-conditioned weather, add a little more moisturiser rather than adding new products.
Mistakes to avoid
- Skipping moisturiser on oily days. Use a thinner layer instead.
- Layering several new products at once. Add one at a time.
- Putting moisturiser on before serum. The serum goes first.
- Forgetting the neck. Spread the moisturiser down to the neck.
Common questions about hyaluronic acid
- Do I need a separate HA serum? Not necessarily. If your moisturiser contains HA, a separate HA product is optional.
- Can I use it with niacinamide? Yes. Epidora Barrier Repair Moisturiser contains both, and it can follow Epidora Niacinamide 10% + Zinc PCA 1% Serum.
- Does a moisturiser with hyaluronic acid replace sunscreen? No. Sunscreen is its own last step in the morning.
- Can I use it with sunscreen? Yes. Moisturiser goes before sunscreen in the morning.
Pairs with
- Epidora Niacinamide 10% + Zinc PCA 1% Serum: before the moisturiser.
- Epidora Sunscreen: after the moisturiser, in the morning.
Saved on this device. View wishlist on epidora.in (separate list there).
Precautions
Contains fragrance. For external use only. Avoid the eyes. Stop use if irritation persists. Avoid if you are allergic to any listed ingredient. See a doctor if a skin problem is persistent, painful, spreading or getting worse.
Patch test first: try a small amount on the side of your neck or behind the ear for 24–48 hours before using it on your face.
See also Ceramide Moisturiser for Oily Skin and Gel vs Cream Moisturiser.
Published research on these ingredients (not studies of Epidora products)
- Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):253-8. PMID 23467280. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23467280/ doi:10.4161/derm.21923
- Coderch L, López O, de la Maza A, Parra JL. Ceramides and skin function. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003;4(2):107-29. PMID 12553851. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12553851/ doi:10.2165/00128071-200304020-00004
*Ingredient results from published studies. Results may vary with skin type and routine.