Maybe it’s because it sounds a bit too sciencey, or maybe it’s because it’s not a Pinterest board darling like coconut oil, but hyaluronic acid (HA) is a beauty ingredient that’s seriously slept on and you need to get involved.

It adds hydration without clogging pores, keeps skin supple without feeling greasy, is suitable for every skin type and won’t cause irritation or sensitivity. And it can be added to your makeup to make it work harder for you - cue Max Factor’s new Radiant Lift Foundation.

We recently tested the product with the Stylist Beauty Council and 75% said that the foundation made their skin feel hydrated while 92% found it long-lasting. 

So there’s no need for a lab coat, this is the low down on beauty’s next big ingredient.

HA is the skin’s primary glycosaminoglycan (fancy word for vital natural anti-ageing substance), that works to keep your skin renewing itself and stay plump with moisture.

Its real selling point has got to be the sheer amount of pure hydration it can pump into your skin. It holds a whopping 1,000 times its own weight in water, meaning the lightweight texture packs a seriously moisturising punch.

The effects are beyond compare in the beauty world, which is why brands like Max Factor have chosen to add it into their Radiant Lift Foundation - the ability to hold water and keep moisture levels balanced is a marker of enviable skin and wearing a foundation infused with HA floods your skin with long-lasting moisture to ensure staying power and maximum comfort from your foundation. 

We’re all born full to the brim with HA, but alas, along with the ability to function on four hours’ sleep, this level dwindles sharply over time and we lose our natural stores of plumping moisture along with our desire to slam bedroom doors and shout at our parents.

But while that can mean seeking out the most moisturising products as we get older, over-hydration is a thing. Too much water in the skin, and your skin will start to break down other vital substances.

However, HA circumvents that headache as it knows when to stop releasing hydration into the skin. It’s because it’s bio identical to your skin which means your body recognises when your tank is full. 

So, unlike using an oil or maybe something heavier to moisturise, there’s no chance of over-loading the skin with hydration and tipping it into greasy territory. And even if there’s some excess, it will evaporate.

In fact, HA is a great way for oily skin types to stay hydrated, as there’s no fear of clogging your pores. And hydration = less tired looking skin.

A great way to gain all the benefits of HA is in your foundation. 

The addition of hyaluronic acid along with the micropearls in products like Max Factor’s Radiant Lift Foundation means that you’ll have dewy, smooth skin, free from visible fine lines all day long.

When we tested the product with the Stylist Beauty Council 79% said it gave them a radiant finish.

“Great coverage [and] gives a very even, toned look. I loved the texture of the formula… My skins feels moisturised and not cakey,” said one member. “It leaves my skin feeling healthy and still looks fresh,” added another.

There are 18 shades of plumping, smoothing goodness to chose from - and it feels imperceptibly light on the skin, despite its long-wearing properties.

It’s an easy way of adding HA to your everyday routine that doesn’t require a six-stage skin routine that frankly, not everyone has the time for. 

Just apply it once in the morning and forget worrying about having to reapply (the HA means that it’s essentially like a second skin).

The foundation eliminates the age old struggle of choosing between looking radiant and enjoying lasting coverage. It also contains SPF 30 to help prevent UVB rays damaging the skin, which means an even brighter complexion in the long run.

If you’re getting face fatigue (it’s a thing. It’s when you’re so over the makeup you wear everyday you just want to try something new ASAP) but don’t know where to start, good news!

Our friends at Max Factor are giving five lucky winners a bundle worth £100, absolutely jam-packed with some of their best-selling beauty buys including: Crème Puff Blush 30 Gorgeous Berries, Lipfinity Lip Colour 010 Whisper, Lipfinity Lip Colour 125 So Glamourous, False Lash Effect Voluptuous Mascara Black, Honey Lacquer Gloss Honey Lilac, Miracle Contouring Kit, Masterpiece High Precision Liner 01 Velvet Black, Colour Elixir Lip Liner 02 Pink Petal.

Simply answer the question below to win. 

UK18+ only. Normal exclusions apply. Opens: 17th Sept 2018. Closes 11:59pm, 19th October 2018. 5 x prize winners each receive 1x each of the following: Max Factor Crème Puff Blush 30 Gorgeous Berries, Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Colour 010 Whisper, Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Colour 125 So Glamourous, Max Factor False Lash Effect Voluptuous Mascara Black, Max Factor Honey Lacquer Gloss Honey Lilac, Max Factor Miracle Contouring Kit, Max Factor Masterpiece High Precision Liner 01 Velvet Black, Max Factor Colour Elixir Lip Liner and 02 Pink Petal bundle worth £100 each. One entry per person. Winners randomly selected and notified by email within 14 days of the closing date. Full terms and conditions below. Promoter: Shortlist Media. Supplier: Max Factor. Standard T&Cs here. Privacy Policy here.