Hyaluronic Acid
Also known as: HA, sodium hyaluronate
What It Does
The gold standard hydrator. Holds up to 1000 times its weight in water, plumping skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring molecule in the skin that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. This exceptional water-binding capacity makes it the gold standard hydrator in skincare. HA exists naturally in the dermis where it cushions and lubricates, but production declines with age, leading to dryness and loss of volume.
Japanese brands pioneered the use of multi-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid in a single product. Different molecular weights target different skin layers: high molecular weight HA (large molecules) hydrates the surface and forms a moisture-retaining film, medium molecular weight penetrates the epidermis, and low molecular weight (nano HA) reaches deeper layers for plumping from within.
Hada Labo, one of the most popular drugstore brands in Japan, built its entire line around this multi-weight HA philosophy. The brand helped popularize the layering hydration approach that is now a hallmark of Japanese skincare. You will find HA in nearly every Japanese moisturizer, serum, and toner, often labeled as sodium hyaluronate.
Binds water molecules to hydrate skin. Large molecules form a moisture barrier on the surface, smaller molecules penetrate to plump from within.
The Japanese Context
Japanese brands pioneered multi-molecular-weight HA technology. Hada Labo popularized layered hydration approach built entirely on HA.
Best For
How It's Used
Typical concentration: 0.1 to 2%, often multiple molecular weights in one product
Ingredient Interactions
Side Effects and Cautions
Very well tolerated. In extremely dry climates, may draw moisture from deeper skin layers if not sealed with an occlusive.
Products With Hyaluronic Acid
Hypoallergenic Moist Balance Lotion For Sensitive Skin - 360ml
Addiction The Skincare Foundation
Exage Moist Advance Milk II Emulsion for Normal Skin
Allie Chrono Beauty Color Tuning UV
Anessa Brightening UV Sunscreen Gel (2026)
Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Gel (2026)
Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF50+/PA++++
Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Spray SPF50+ PA++++
Aqualabel - Antiaging Oil In Treatment Lotion Moist - 170ml
Aqualabel - Antiaging Oil In Treatment Lotion Rich Moist - 170ml
Aqualabel Special Gel Cream (Moist)
Suhada Shizuku Placenta Lotion for Dewy Skin - 200ml
ASTALIFT Jelly Aquarysta
Face Moisturizing Lotion
Skin Treatment Lotion Gentle Sensitive Skin Toner
Bifesta UV Moist Gel SPF50+
Biore UV Barrier Me Moisturizing Jelly
Biore UV Aqua Rich Airy Hold Cream SPF50+/PA++++
Biore UV Aqua Rich Tone Up Essence SPF50+
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++ (Japanese Version)
Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF50+/PA++++
Canmake Perfect Stylist Eyes
Cezanne Pearl Glow Highlight
Cezanne Skin Conditioner High Moist
Cezanne UV Ultra Fit Base N SPF36/PA++
Chifure Moisture Gel (Uruoi Gel)
Country & Stream Honey UV Water Gel SPF50+
Detclear Bright & Peel AHA+BHA Peeling Jelly
Dr. Ci:Labo Super White 377 VC Serum
Dr. Medion Spaoxy Gel Bright Plus CO2 Mask
Shiseido Elixir Superieur Day Care Revolution SPF50+
Etvos Mineral Cushion Foundation
Hada Labo Foaming Wash Pearl Barley
Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Face Cleansing Foam
Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Cream
Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Light
Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Milky Lotion
Hada Labo Gokujun Perfect Gel
Hada Labo Gokujyun Aging Care Cream
Hada Labo Gokujyun Aging Care Emulsion
Hada Labo Gokujyun Aging Care Firming Lotion - 170ml
Hada Labo Gokujyun Aging Care Lotion
Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam
Hada Labo Gokujyun Firming All-in-One Gel
Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lip Balm SPF15
Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist
Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil
Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Cream
Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Essence
Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Eye Cream
Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion
Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Milky Lotion
Hada Labo Gokujyun Wrinkle Care Cream
Hada Labo Koi-Gokujyun 3D Lifting Gel
Hada Labo Koi Gokujyun Moisturizing Mask
Koi-Gokujyun Perfect Gel
Hada Labo Koi-Gokujyun White Gel UV SPF50+
Hada Labo Instant Hydrating Kotojyun Mask
Hada Labo Shirojyun Lotion Moist
Shirojyun Moisturizing Emulsion
Shirojyun Moisturizing Lotion Refill - 170ml
Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Brightening Cream
Shirojyun Premium Deep Whitening Cream
Shirojyun Premium Gel Cream
Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion
Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Milky Lotion
Hada Labo Koi-Gokujyun UV Perfect Gel SPF50+
KANEBO On Skin Essence F
Kose Clear Turn Essence Mask (Vitamin C)
Kose Clear Turn Hyaluronic Acid Mask
Kracie Hadabisei Wrinkle Care Moisture Gel Cream
Love Liner Liquid Eyeliner
Lululun Hydra EX Mask
Maquillage Dramatic Skin Sensor Base UV SPF25
Meishoku Ceracolla Perfect Gel
Mentholatum Water Lip Balm
Momopuri Moisturizing Serum
Naris Up Skin Conditioner (Hyaluronic Acid)
Nivea Japan Moisture Lip Water Type Balm SPF20 PA++
NIVEA SUN Protect Super Water Gel SPF50 PA+++
Nivea UV Deep Protect & Care Gel SPF50+/PA++++
Orbis U Lotion
Wafood Made Sake Lees Moisture Lotion - 190ml
Reihaku Hatomugi UV Milky Gel SPF50+
Saborino Morning Sheet Mask
Shiseido Aqualabel Treatment Lotion
Shiseido Senka Perfect Whip
Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF50+
Skin Aqua Super Moisture Barrier UV Essence
Skin Aqua Super Moisture Barrier UV Gel
Skin Aqua Sarafit UV Smooth Watery Essence SPF50+
Skin Aqua Serum UV (2026 Formula)
Skin Aqua Super Moisture Essence SPF50+/PA++++
Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel SPF50+/PA++++
Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Milk SPF50+/PA++++
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence Happiness Aura
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence Latte Beige
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence Lavender (2026)
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence Mint
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF50+/PA++++
Suncut Ultra Light Touch UV Essence
Club Suppin Powder (24h Wear)
Tunemakers Undiluted Solution Moisture Cream
Tunemakers Undiluted Moisture Lotion
&honey Deep Moist Shampoo 1.0
&honey Melty Moist Shampoo 1.0
&Honey Sanrio My Melody Melty Shampoo & Treatment Set
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50 (US Version)
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF50+/PA++++
Skin Aqua Super Moisture UV Mist SPF50+ PA++++
Atlix Beauty Charge Hand Cream - Peach Tea
Canmake Glow Fleur Cheeks
Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel
Canmake Plump Lip Care Scrub
Decorté Moisture Liposome Mask
Fujiko Kakitashi Mayu Eyebrow Tint
Hada Labo Koi-Gokujyun 3D Lift Perfect Mask
SUQQU Lip Concentrate Balm
SUQQU Signature Color Eyes Palette
Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Foaming Cleanser
Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF50+/PA++++
D Program Allerbarrier Essence N SPF50+ PA+++
Decorté Liposome Advanced Repair Serum
KOSE Grace One Perfect Gel Cream EX
Ettusais Lip Essence SPF18
SHISEIDO Essence Skin Setting Powder
Muji Fermented Rice Bran Booster Serum
EXCEL Ethereal Serum Concealer
Visee Essence Lip Plumper
ALFACE+ Diamond Moisture Mask
Kohaku Hada Lotion
Biore UV Aqua Rich Aqua Protect Lotion SPF50+ PA++++
Gatsby Facial Wash Moisture Foam
Nile All in One Lotion
Rosette Ceramide Gel
Cezanne UV Clear Face Powder SPF28 PA+++
Anessa Perfect UV Daytime Defense Essence SPF50+ PA++++
Skin Aqua Super Moisture UV Light Up Essence SPF50+ PA++++
Mediplus Gel DX
MUJI Sensitive Skin All-in-One Gel
Chifure Whitening Essence TA
Canmake Lip & Cheek Gel
Baby Foot Moisturizing Foot Mask
DHC CoQ10 Serum