Hyaluronic Acid for Hair Is the Expert-Approved Ingredient You Need ASAP

Hyaluronic acid is a prevalent skincare ingredient that dermatologists and beauty editors love for its incredible moisturizing powers — but did you know this clear liquid ingredient is also fantastic for your hair?

Applying skincare ingredients and technology to scalp care is a trend that has been getting more popular over the past few years, and according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, M.D., “The trend makes total sense because the scalp, although specialized, is skin. And there is the bonus that a healthy scalp can help support healthy hair growth.”

To help you understand why hyaluronic acid for hair will legitimately upgrade your beauty routine, our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, consulted experts about its benefits and their go-to product recommendations.

Best Hyaluronic Acid for Hair Products

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

As a quick reminder, hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. King considers hyaluronic acid a powerful humectant, meaning it loves water, and your scalp and hair will be hydrated AF when you incorporate it into your routine.

Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid for Hair

Hyaluronic acid for hair is particularly helpful for anyone with a dry scalp or dry hair because it draws moisture — but that's not its only amazing benefit. We asked two of our favorite hairstylists about the many pros of using hyaluronic acid for hair.

• Works for all hair types: Aaron Grenia, cofounder of IGK Hair Care, says everyone can use hyaluronic acid for hair regardless of their hair density (fine, medium, or thick) and hair texture (sleek straight to 4C coils on the natural hair chart). "It will definitely work best on drier hair types, but it will not damage other hair types," he says.
• Goodbye frizz: Hyaluronic acid helps eliminate frizz and potentially adds volume, notes hairstylist Jenna Spino of Maxine Salon in Chicago.
• Calms inflammation: During seasonal changes, we usually experience dry scalp and dandruff, and hyaluronic acid can help reduce inflammation caused by irritation, adds Spino.
• Strengthening hair: “Hyaluronic acid is good for the overall health of the hair and scalp. It will help with damaged and dry hair, and make the hair more resilient, which helps prevent breakage,” says Grenia.

Side Effects of Hyaluronic Acid for Hair

Hyaluronic acid for hair is incredible, but King says products without emollients and occlusives may deplete moisture from your hair and scalp. She suggests using hydrating hyaluronic acid hair products such as hair masks and leave-in conditioners to prevent dry scalp and dry hair. "Moisturizers ideally contain a combination of humectants to hydrate, emollients to support the barrier, and occlusives to lock in moisture," adds King.

• Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, but panthenol, glycerin, glycogen, xylitol, elastin, collagen, and silk keratin are other sought-after humectants.
• Common emollients include lipids, oils, shea butter, and colloidal oatmeal.
• Popular occlusives are olive oil and beeswax.

Ready for soft, glossy, and frizz-free hair? These hyaluronic acid for hair products either earned a recommendation from our experts or were carefully vetted by Saunders, who considered their ingredients, texture, smell, and reviewer feedback to ensure they moisturize your hair and scalp but are lightweight and non-greasy.