Yang YJ, Lee WY, Kim YJ, Hong YP. A meta-analysis of the efficacy of hyaluronic acid eye drops for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(5):2383. doi:10.3390/ijerph18052383 What types of dermal fillers are available? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers/types

In a 2017 study of healthy Japanese men and women between ages 22 and 59, researchers found that oral hyaluronic acid helps to inhibit skin wrinkles, with users showing a reduction in wrinkle volume ratio after eight weeks of use. So we all know hyaluronic acid to be the MVP of skincare—or, at least, that’s what you’ve read/heard/seen in every single article, commercial, and product description for the past year, right? (We get it, hyaluronic acid—YOU’RE POPULAR.) And although, yes, this little ingredient is usually the key to plump, glowing skin, it still needs to be used correctly or it could make your face sincerely unhappy. So if you have officially reached peak levels of confusion about WTF hyaluronic acid even is and how to use it, please allow myself and the experts to explain everything you need to know about hyaluronic acid for skin and the correct way to use it in your skincare routine. Meet the experts:Essendoubi M, Gobinet C, Reynaud R, Angiboust JF, Manfait M, Piot O. Human skin penetration of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights as probed by Raman spectroscopy. Skin Research and Technology. 2015;22(1):55-62. doi:10.1111/srt.12228

Hydrated skin is healthy skin, and hyaluronic acid’s benefits for skin hydration make it a useful, dynamic ingredient that has a place in any anti-aging skincare routine. It’s also important to separate artificial hyaluronic acid (the type you’ll find in injectable fillers and topical creams) from the natural hyaluronic acid that’s produced and used by your body. It makes your skin flexible. Hyaluronic acid helps skin stretch and flex and reduces skin wrinkles and lines. Hyaluronic acid is also proven to help wounds heal faster and can reduce scarring. Gupta, R.C., Lall, R., Srivastava, A. & Sinha, A. (2019). Hyaluronic Acid: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Trajectory. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 6, 192. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6603175/

Peanpadungrat P. Efficacy and safety of fish oil in treatment of knee osteoarthritis. J Med Assoc Thai. 2015;98( Suppl 3):S110-S114. Although hyaluronic acid injections are more effective than creams or serums, research suggests that applying hyaluronic acid to the face may help: Ana Mansouri, MD, is a cosmetic doctor at Kat & Co Aesthetics based in the UK who specializes in injectables and aesthetics. Abdulkareem AA, Al Marah ZA, Abdulbaqi HR, Alshaeli AJ, Milward MR. A randomized double‐blind clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of chlorhexidine, antioxidant, and hyaluronic acid mouthwashes in the management of biofilm‐induced gingivitis. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2020;18(3):268-277. doi:10.1111/idh.12432 Draelos ZD, et al. (2021). Efficacy evaluation of a topical hyaluronic acid serum in facial photoaging.

By inhaler/nebulizer: Hyaluronic acid can treat respiratory (breathing) problems such as asthma or infections. By mouth: Hyaluronic acid comes in dietary supplements and pills. There’s even a liquid form that you can mix with water and drink. Since hyaluronic acid is a substance your body produces naturally, it’s very uncommon for it to cause any allergic reaction symptoms. Is Hyaluronic Acid Worth Using?It helps things move smoothly. Hyaluronic acid helps your joints work like a well-oiled machine. It prevents pain and injury from bones grinding against each other. Interestingly, there’s even some evidence that hyaluronic acid works as an anti-aging skin care treatment when it’s taken orally.