Kerry Washington Swears by This Skincare Ingredient

Kerry Washington is known as much for her flawless skin as for her role on Scandal. The actress and Neutrogena brand ambassador recently spoke to Elle about how she achieves that enviable glow.

“I think it’s really important to stay on top of your products, depending on where you are,” Washington said. “How I take care of my skin in LA versus when I’m in New York in winter is completely different.” One of her favorite skincare ingredients is hyaluronic acid, often found in skin-plumping serums.

“Hyaluronic acid used to be such a prestige product,” she said. “So the fact that it’s just accessible to everybody now is really [great]. And it’s a noticeable difference.” Brands like Glossier, Dr. Dennis Gross and Neutrogena are using hyaluronic acid in a range of products so women can try it at home.

Allure flagged the hydrating and anti-aging ingredient as one to watch in 2017 — in the past, hyaluronic acid was available only in expensive serums and injection treatments, many of which are still popular splurges. In-office treatments range from traditional injections to shallow “skin boosting” injections and mask-like application of the ingredient. “It pulls water into the skin for several weeks to a month,” New York City dermatologist Robert Anolik told Allure.

“It’s like a therapeutic serum: It has a long-term effect,” dermatologist Barbara Sturm told the New York Times of her own product in 2015. “It’s not just, ‘I apply my skin-care product and tomorrow I have to do it again because the effect is gone.’”

[Elle]