If you’ve shopped on Amazon for hyaluronic acid (HA), you’ll notice thousands of products turn up, from creams and serums to pills to liquids that make a variety of claims to get rid of wrinkles, fine lines, and improve skin moisture.

Topical products like creams and serums focus on hyaluronic acid’s ability to reduce skin redness and reduce wrinkles. 

Oral hyaluronic acid supplements tend to focus on the benefits of hyaluronic acid on joints, in addition to improving skin and hair. 

How can one ingredient have so many anti-aging effects, and, is there any truth to the ‘organic liquid facelift’ you may have heard about?

You may also be wondering how can you ingest or consume hyaluronic acid? We mean, it is an “acid” after all. But most importantly, is hyaluronic acid all hype?

Read on to learn about how drinking hyaluronic acid supplements can give you incredible skin, hair, and health.

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Within the body, hyaluronic acid plays an important role in your health. Hyaluronic acid is found in joint cartilage where it protects all the cells. It’s a major component of epithelial tissue and affects cell production and movement. HA acts as a lubricating agent, providing mega hydration for your entire body, especially your skin. 

Your body has about 15 grams of hyaluronic acid, and about 1/3 (one-third) of it is degraded ever day. Similarly to collagen, this decline in hyaluronic acid leads to dry skin, wrinkles, dull skin, weak hair, and hurting joints.

Ingesting, taking or ‘drinking’, hyaluronic acid orally through a supplement does a lot of things, including from skin repair and rejuvenation to joint lubrication. What does science say about its efficacy?

Studies have shown intra-articular injections (injections into the joint) of hyaluronic acid are effective (sometimes more effective) at managing pain in patients with osteoarthritis compared to other treatments. HA often has fewer side effects in patients with osteoarthritis.

There have been studies on oral hyaluronic acid supplements and they all have similar positive results. This study found that daily supplementation of oral hyaluronic acid “enhanced several markers of quality of life in adults with osteoarthritis of the knee”. Another study also found that oral intake of high purity hyaluronic acid is effective in the treatment of patients of knee osteoarthritis. 

Hyaluronic Acid’s Effect on Skin Wrinkles

What about skin? Does the oral intake of hyaluronic acid help with skin? Yes!

There is evidence that oral hyaluronic acid has anti-aging properties that improve skin tone while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

According to a 2017 study in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology, after 12 weeks of oral ingestion of hyaluronic acid supplements, 60 people with crow's feet (wrinkles around the eyes) experienced a significant reduction in wrinkle depth and volume. They also improved their skin luster and suppleness (glow and radiance). 

Two different concentrations of hyaluronic acid were used in the study, each dosed at 120 milligrams (mg) per day. Those provided the higher concentration experienced similar results to those given the lower concentration, but in a shorter period of time. 

A 2017 study in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported similar promising benefits with hyaluronic acid supplements that also contained biotin, vitamin C, copper, and zinc. The study found that 20 women ages 45 to 60 who took the supplement for 40 days, experienced: 

– Improved skin elasticity

– Improved texture

– Reduction in wrinkle depth

– 24% increase in skin hydration

Take a look at these Wholy Dose skin before and after results from hyaluronic acid with marine collagen and biotin supplements.

Hyaluronic Acid Dosage

Most studies on hyaluronic acid use a daily dosage of hyaluronic acid ranging from 60-200 mg. Most supplements recommend 100-200 mg, but some of the most known hyaluronic acid supplements contain around 60 mg of hyaluronic acid. While taking it consistently and daily is the key to obtaining effective results, we recommend a daily dosage of 80-100 mg of hyaluronic acid each day.

There are studies that find orally administered hyaluronic acid is absorbed in the digestive tract and that it does migrate to the relevant connective tissues. Whether you plan to use hyaluronic acid for your osteoarthritis, chronic dry eyes, or for treating wrinkles, make sure to read the label before.

Try Wholy Dose's hyaluronic acid supplements with marine collagen and biotin powder for effective results in your hair, skin, nails, joints, metabolism, and health.