Best Hyaluronic Acid - Benefits & Treatment

May 3, 2021

Updated: December 28, 2021

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Hyaluronic Acid - Important to Your Cells and Wound Healing

Hyaluronic acid is a type of glycosaminoglycan - a long type of organic molecule called polysaccharides, related to sugars and starches. It is an important structural molecule that your cells use to build the protein network that holds your cells and organs together. Hyaluronic acid is found in abundance in connective tissues, particularly your skin. In your epidermis - the top layer of your skin - hyaluronic acid retains moisture, facilitates nutrient transfer, scavenges damaging oxygen radicals, and promotes wound-healing when your skin is damaged.^1,2

Your body produces a large amount of its own hyaluronic acid. Each adult human contains about 15g of it in their body. About one third of this is broken down and reconstructed every day.

Aging = Less Hyaluronic Acid and Less Skin Moisture

As you age, the hyaluronic acid content in your skin decreases. The loss of this important molecule is associated with decreases in the hydration and structural integrity of your skin. Lower levels of hyaluronic acid translate to wrinkles, sagging, and dryness in your skin.

For these reasons, many cosmetic suppliers incorporate hyaluronic acid into their products for facial skin. You can find gels, creams, disposable wipes, tinctures, and other beauty products containing hyaluronic acid. It is even frequently injected into the skin for rejuvenation therapy, sometimes along with collagen or botulinum neurotoxin (Botox). Topically, it is used at concentrations of around 0.2%³

Hyaluronic Acid Hydrates, Smooths Wrinkles, & Decreases Inflammation

Doctors and cosmetologists alike are interested in the benefits of applying solutions of hyaluronic acid directly to the skin. It is particularly beneficial for reducing inflammation, which underlies several facial skin conditions such as dermatitis, acne, and rosacea. Topical application of hyaluronic acid can also stimulate immune cell activation and cellular growth, promoting healthier skin overall.⁴ Clinical studies have found that using creams, gels, lotions, or tinctures containing hyaluronic acid can make your skin more hydrated and elastic, and can smooth wrinkles.⁵

Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums Have Pure HA

You can find pure, low-concentration hyaluronic acid in a wide variety of skin care products, including moisturizers, night creams, and towelettes. Many products combine hyaluronic acid with other ingredients such as vitamins C or E. Some of these are only available by prescription, so you will need to talk to your dermatologist about getting them. Whichever you choose, apply topical hyaluronic acid to your facial skin twice per day for the best results.

Here are some of the best products on the market containing pure hyaluronic acid, as trialed by researchers and dermatologists:

Bionect Topical HA cream or gel (prescription only)
DermAvance Hyalogy P-effect, offers various types of products (prescription only)
SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier serum
Cosmedica Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Paula's Choice BOOST Hyaluronic Acid Booster

REFERENCES

[1] Papaknstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. 2012. Dermatendccrinol. Jul; 4(3):253-258. “Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583886/

(see more References)

[2] Chen WY, Abatangelo G. 1999. Wound Repair Regen. Mar-Apr; 7(2):79-89. “Functions of hyaluronan in wound repair.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10231509

[3] Chen LH, Xue JF, Zheng ZY, Shuhaidi M,Thu HE, Hussain Z. 2018. Int J Biologic Macromol. Sep; 116:572-584. “Hyaluronic acid, an efficient biomacromolecule for treatment of inflammatory skin and joint diseases: A review of recent developments and critical appraisal of preclinical and clinical investigations. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014181301831064X?via%3Dihub

[4] Schlesinger T, Powell CR. 2014. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. May; 7(5):15-18. “Efficacy and safety of a low molecular weight hyaluronic acid topical gel in the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis final report.”https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4025514/

[5] Jegasothy SM, Zabolotniaia V, Bielfeldt S. 2014. Mar; 7(3):27-29. “Efficacy f a new topical nano-hyaluronic acid in humans.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3970829/