The very, very first person to utter the words ‘hyaluronic acid’ in our presence was Terry de Gunzburg, founder of By Terry and its creative driving force. She explained to us about this extraordinary molecule and its hydrating power, which she’d begun to integrate into her make-up (initially, via a face powder) and skincare. 

Hyaluronic acid has become a go-to ingredient for the whole beauty industry, after Terry’s pioneering formulations. We love its skin-quenching power and the extraordinary comfort factor of an ingredient which can absorb up to 1,000 times its weight in water, delivering it to and holding it in the skin.  

Terry is as obsessed as ever – having made hyaluronic acid the cornerstone of one of her fab skincare ranges. And the innovative products we’re about to share now feature no less than EIGHT different types of hyaluronic acid. As Terry explained to us over lunch a couple of months ago, that’s because not all hyaluronic acids are created equal. They come in different molecular weights, to be deployed for different (and time-released) purposes – and at that lunch, she gave us some of her hyaluronic heroes to try.

We’re suitably wowed, and – in preparation for winter’s drier air – keen to share…

Hyaluronic Glow Setting Mist. If we hadn’t personally been given this – and by someone we’ve admired and respected for three decades – we’d never have tried it! ‘Setting sprays. Pah!’ has always been our attitude. We are eating those words; this is going to be in our life forever. Yes, it makes make-up stay put for longer. DO NOT ASK US HOW. (Not that we even care.) But it’s the finish delivered by this fine mist that really pushes our buttons: twice in the first day after we’d used it for the first time, people said: ‘Your skin looks amazing.’ Not wet. Not even dewy, but… lit from within, is how we’d put it. We’re quite astonished, and utterly hooked.

Hyaluronic Global Eye Serum. There’s something about this (um, probably the hyaluronic acid) that makes it brilliant for applying in the eye zone before make-up. Incredibly comforting, but also a little bit brightening, with not only 3% hyaluronic acid, but niacinamide, phytosqualane and caffeine, which we love not only in a cup, but also in an eye product, for its circulation-revving effect. The cooling, smooth metal applicator makes this a joy to apply.

Hyaluronic Global Serum. Think: 10% hyaluronic acid, 5% each of peptides, phytosqualane and niacinamide, for one of the most plumpifying serums we’ve ever tried.  

Hyaluronic Global Face Cream. Luscious, mega-moisturising – a heavenly texture featuring a similar blend of ingredients to the serum, above, but in a delicious gel-cream. When the central heating comes on (hopefully not for some months yet!), we reckon this will truly come into its own.

Not pictured (‘cos it’s tucked in our make-up bag!) 8HA Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder. Utterly weightless, invisible on the skin (do NOT be put off by the whiteness of the powder – this works on everyone!), this whisks onto skin for a matte but not flat effect, based around 70% mineral ingredients and with three different weights of hyaluronic acid. The ‘soft focus’ spheres mean that unlike many powders, it blurs rather than accentuates lines. (There’s a travel size, too, which we’ll be looking to slip into a handbag, come autumn.) 

All hail the Queen of Hyaluronic Acid, our old friend Terry de G…

Hyaluronic Glow Setting Mist/£35 for 100ml – buy here

Hyaluronic Global Eye Serum/£52 for 15ml – buy here

Hyaluronic Global Serum/£85 for 30ml – buy here 

Hyaluronic Global Face Cream/£66 for 50ml – buy here

8HA Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder/£42 – buy here

Prize Draws