Dry skin is one of our biggest beauty foes. It can be caused by the weather, harsh skincare products, excessive UVA/UVB exposure, and unhealthy lifestyle habits, like smoking. Dry skin can make you break out and look dull, and even cause itchiness. Thankfully though, there are so many skincare products and ingredients that can help you maintain a healthy (and moisturized!) skin barrier, like hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid is a popular ingredient you’ve probably noticed pop up in a ton of moisturizing skincare products, like face creams and serums. It’s an ingredient naturally found in our skin, and it’s known for its ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, which then helps with moisture retention. Studies show that hyaluronic acid helps fight signs of aging by plumping fine lines, helps small wounds heal faster, and works to give skin a healthy glow. To better understand what hyaluronic is and how it works on our skin, we tapped a top-notch dermatologist and a celebrity-loved facialist to answer our most pressing questions.