Have you ever stepped off a plane or a long car ride, looked in the mirror, and thought… What happened to my skin?

I know that feeling all too well. I recently travelled, and by the time I landed, my once hydrated complexion had turned into an uncomfortable version of itself. It's not that your skin stopped working; it's physics at play.

Aeroplanes hover around 10-20% humidity (compared to the 40-50% your skin is most likely used to), and that bone-dry cabin air literally pulls water out of your skin.

Cars aren't much better. Hours of air conditioning and little hydration can leave your skin feeling uncomfortable.

Simply put: Your skin is losing water faster than it can replace it.

This is why it's important to understand dryness vs. dehydration.

The Difference Between Dryness and Dehydration

It's easy to assume your skin just needs "more moisturiser," but dryness and dehydration are two very different things:

• Dry skin is a lack of oil and lipids. Your skin barrier is compromised, leaving the surface rough, flaky, or even itchy. Genetic or long-term condition of low lipid (oil) production. This is referred to as a skin type.
• Dehydrated skin is a lack of water, and anyone can experience it, even oily skin. It often feels tight, dull, or looks tired and crepey. Often, a result of those long car rides and aeroplane trips, which are considered environmental stressors. Other environmental stressors include (dry air, sun, air travel), harsh cleansers, over-exfoliation, and not enough hydration. This is what we refer to as a skin condition because it is a temporary or changeable state your skin can experience.

The two often overlap, though. Dehydrated skin struggles to hold on to moisture, while dry skin can't stop it from escaping. So yes, your skin can be dry and dehydrated. While oils and creams help rebuild your barrier, your skin also needs humectants. These are ingredients that pull in and hold water.

That's where Hyaluronic Acid and its cousin, Triluronic Acid, step in. The good news, they work for both dry and dehydrated skin.

Meet Hyaluronic Acid

If there's one ingredient skincare lovers swear by, it's this one. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is naturally found in our skin and connective tissue. It's what keeps our cells bouncy, hydrated, and youthful. But, like collagen and elastin, our natural levels of Hyaluronic Acid decline with age, stress, and environmental exposure.

Why Hyaluronic Acid Works

HA is a powerful humectant, which means it attracts and binds water.

It draws moisture from the air when ambient humidity is sufficient and keeps your skin's outer layer plump, smooth, and dewy.

The Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid for the Skin

Hyaluronic Acid visibly plumps fine lines and smooths rough texture while boosting elasticity by keeping skin deeply hydrated. It also soothes irritation, supports barrier repair, and layers beautifully with other actives like Vitamin C or Niacinamide, making it a versatile staple in any skincare routine.

How to Use Hyaluronic Acid

• After cleansing: Apply to slightly damp skin so it can pull in moisture rather than take it out.
• Seal it in: Follow with a moisturiser or facial oil to lock in hydration.
• Mix with mists: Add a few drops to your hydrosol spritzer for a quick pick-me-up.
• Pair with actives: Use before exfoliating acids or retinol to reduce dryness or irritation.
• DIY powder: Did you know hyaluronic acid comes in powder form? Hyaluronic Acid powder lets you customise your hydration. Mix with distilled water, let it hydrate fully, and voilà - your own serum or essence. Read here to learn How To Formulate a Stock Solution with Hyaluronic Acid Powder.

Pro Tip: If your HA serum feels tacky, you're probably using too much or forgetting to seal it with a moisturiser. One or two drops are enough!

Introducing Triluronic Acid

If Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is the hydration classic, Triluronic Acid is its multi-talented sibling. You can think of it as HA 2.0.

Triluronic isn't a single molecule, but rather a blend of three molecular weights of hyaluronic acid - high, medium, and low - each working on a different layer of your skin.

Why Hydration at a Cellular Level Matters

Your skin isn't one flat sheet; it's multi-layered. Each layer needs hydration differently:

• High Molecular Weight (HMW) sits on top, reducing water loss and smoothing fine lines.
• Medium Weight penetrates mid-levels, improving elasticity and texture.
• Low-weight travels deeper, pulling in water and keeping things soft from within.

The Skin Benefits of Triluronic Acid

Triluronic Acid provides multi-level, long-lasting hydration that instantly relieves tightness and dehydration while strengthening and soothing a compromised skin barrier.

It helps calm redness and irritation, leaving the skin smooth, silky, and comfortably balanced. With consistent use, it also helps soften the appearance of fine lines and dryness creases, restoring that supple, healthy glow.

How to Use Triluronic Acid

• Daily hydrator: Use 2-4 drops on clean, damp skin before moisturiser.
• Barrier booster: Mix into your night cream for an extra cushion of comfort.
• Post-treatment: Perfect after exfoliation, sun exposure, or travel.
• Makeup prep: The silky texture makes it an excellent primer base.
• Climate defence: Keep it in your bag. It layers beautifully over skincare, even mid-flight.

Hyaluronic vs. Triluronic Acid - Which One Do You Need?

Here's the truth: you don't have to pick one over the other. They complement each other beautifully.