Hyaluronic acid is a sugar that occurs naturally in the body, including the skin, eyes, and joints. The primary function of hyaluronic acid is to provide moisture to these areas of the body.
Hyaluronic acid plays a crucial role in skin moisture. As people age, the moisture in their skin decreases, so some people choose to take supplemental hyaluronic acid.
This could be in the form of oral supplements, topical creams, serums, or even injections.
This article provides 11 evidence-backed benefits of using hyaluronic acid for the face and body. It explains how often a person can use hyaluronic acid and discusses types and side effects.
Many people use hyaluronic acid to hydrate their skin. People can take hyaluronic acid as a supplement, or they can apply it topically as a cream.
Hyaluronic acid can increase skin moisture and improve the quality of life for those with dry skin.
One 2014 study involved female participants applying topical hyaluronic acid as a lotion, serum, and cream. The study results demonstrated an increase of skin hydration of up to 96% after 8 weeks of use across the different types.
Hyaluronic acid helps the skin maintain moisture and helps the tissue regeneration process involved in healing wounds.
One 2016 study suggested that applying hyaluronic acid to the skin to heal wounds can help relieve inflammation and regulate tissue repair.
When a person experiences changes in their skin, it can have an adverse psychosocial impact. This can occur during the aging process.
An older study found that hyaluronic acid can help reduce the roughness of a person’s skin and increase skin elasticity.
Around 50% of the body’s total hyaluronic acid is present in the skin. Changes in this amount, possibly due to UV exposure, can lead to the formation of wrinkles.
Hyaluronic acid can significantly decrease the depth of wrinkles and enhance skin firmness and elasticity.
One 2014 study involved women applying hyaluronic acid topically, twice daily, for 8 weeks.
The study reported up to a 40% decrease in the depth of wrinkles and an up to 55% increase in skin firmness and elasticity compared with participants who did not apply the acid.
