Customers are raving about this affordable hyaluronic acid face cream - and it's available in Boots

'Hyaluronic acid' may sound a little daunting, but it's actually an incredibly smoothing and plumping skincare ingredient and a must-have for any anti-ageing beauty routine.

A common beauty industry buzzword, much like retinol and glycolic acids, hyaluronic acid is the hero ingredient of many of the beauty products stocked on shelves - but what actually is it?

Hyaluronic acid can actually be found within our own skin cells, but it depletes as we get older. Levels dip due to the ageing process, but they’re also affected by environmental conditions, such as exposure to extreme temperatures and pollution. Opting for a serum or moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid is a fast track to smoother, softer, more youthful skin.

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And you don't have to spend a small fortune for this high tech ingredient, either. Trusty skincare favourite Nivea have their own hyaluronic acid range and one product in particular is a firm favourite with shoppers.

The Nivea Hyaluron Cellular Filler Anti-Age Face Cream, £15.75 for 50ml, has left beauty fans thrilled with its immediate results.

Buy it now for £15.75 in Boots

'I started using this line about two weeks ago and the effects have been immediate. Brighter skin, fine lines diminished, smaller pores,' wrote one tester on the Nivea website.

'I've been using this cream for just over 2 weeks now and have noticed a significant improvement in my skin. I suffer from really dry skin so found this product has given me a sudden burst of moisture,' said another.

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Amazon shoppers have also raved about the product's anti-ageing properties.

'AMAZING PRODUCT - hyralonic acid, skin plumped and soft after use', commented one delighted fan.

'What a lovely cream I have used a lot of really expensive creams and this is the best I have used my skin looks really lovely and glowing I have like sensitive dehydrated combination skin and it is wonderful with stuck with nivea years ago', wrote another.

What does hyaluronic acid do to your skin?

Hyaluronic acid binds to water in order to retain moisture. When applied tothesurfaceof the skin,hyaluronic acidserums can reduce wrinkles, redness and dermatitis. We recommend using a hyaluronic acid serum or hyaluronic acid moisturiser as part of your morning and evening routine to reap in the skin-plumping benefits.

Benefits of hyaluronic acid

• Promotes healthier, more supple skin.
• Hydrates the skin from the environment, acting like a 'sponge' for moisture.
• Can help speed up skin's recover and heal wounds or burns.