Hyaluronic Acid
Other ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Key molecule for skin hydration, joint lubrication, and tissue repair.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Hyaluronic Acid is an other most often used for skin hydration, joint lubrication, wound healing. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 120-240 mg daily, commonly taken as low molecular weight ha (better absorption) or high mw for joints. This profile indexes 18 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: skin hydration, joint lubrication, wound healing. 18 sources indexed (2012–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Retains up to 1,000x its weight in water, providing tissue hydration. In joints, provides viscosity to synovial fluid. In skin, maintains turgor and supports wound healing.11,1
Dosing & protocol.
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Low Molecular Weight HA.
Assumes 120-240 mg/day. Vendor basis: NOW/iHerb, Vitacost, Life Extension, and Amazon marketplace; joint formulas with collagen or UC-II cost more. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
Food comparisons are indirect; supplements usually use purified hyaluronic acid.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Well tolerated
- Rare allergic reactions
Contraindications
- Cancer history (theoretical growth factor concern)
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
10- 1Oral Hyaluronic Acid Supplement: Efficacy in Skin Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkle Depth ReductionPMIDBarbosa F et al. · Nutrients · 2025
7 RCTs showed statistically significant improvements in skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle depth following oral HA supplementation.
- 2Combined and Hybrid Treatments of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA): A Systematic Review of Mechanisms of Action, Aesthetic Effectiveness, Satisfaction, and Safety ProfilePMIDMeçani R, Amiri M, Kadouch J et al. · Aesthetic plastic surgery · 2025
Meçani R, Amiri M, Kadouch J et al.. Combined and Hybrid Treatments of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA): A Systematic Review of Mechanisms of Action, Aesthetic Effectiveness, Satisfaction, and Safety Profile. Aesthetic plastic surgery. 2025
- 3Efficacy and safety of intra-articular hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PMIDO'Hanlon CE, Newberry SJ et al. · JAMA Network Open · 2024
Large meta-analysis showed intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections provided statistically significant and clinically meaningful pain reduction and functional improvement in knee osteoarthritis compared to placebo.
- 4Oral hyaluronic acid supplementation for skin health: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PMIDRaimondi L, Bortolotti A et al. · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2024
Meta-analysis of RCTs demonstrated oral hyaluronic acid supplementation significantly improved skin moisture, skin elasticity, and reduced wrinkle depth.
- 5Hyaluronic acid injections for knee osteoarthritis: An updated systematic review and network meta-analysis.PMIDCampbell KA, Erickson BJ et al. · BMJ · 2024
Network meta-analysis of 169 trials found hyaluronic acid injections provided clinically meaningful improvements in pain and function for knee osteoarthritis, with favorable safety profile compared to NSAIDs.
- 6Oral Hyaluronic Acid in Osteoarthritis and Low Back Pain: A Systematic ReviewPMIDde Carvalho JF, Davidson J · Mediterranean journal of rheumatology · 2024
de Carvalho JF, Davidson J. Oral Hyaluronic Acid in Osteoarthritis and Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review. Mediterranean journal of rheumatology. 2024
- 7Efficacy and safety of corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, and PRP and combination therapy for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysisPMIDQiao X, Yan L, Feng Y et al. · BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2023
Qiao X, Yan L, Feng Y et al.. Efficacy and safety of corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, and PRP and combination therapy for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMC musculoskeletal disorders. 2023
- 8Safety of infraorbital hyaluronic acid injections: Outcomes of a meta-analysis on prospective clinical trialsPMIDNikolis A, Enright KM, Berros P et al. · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2023
Nikolis A, Enright KM, Berros P et al.. Safety of infraorbital hyaluronic acid injections: Outcomes of a meta-analysis on prospective clinical trials. Journal of cosmetic dermatology. 2023
- 9Sodium hyaluronate's effect on xerophthalmia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDKong X, Yan C, Ma W et al. · Current medical research and opinion · 2016
Kong X, Yan C, Ma W et al.. Sodium hyaluronate's effect on xerophthalmia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Current medical research and opinion. 2016
- 10Oral hyaluronic acid supplementation for knee joint and skin health: a systematic review and meta-analysisSource linkedPMIDOe M, Tashiro T, Yoshida H et al. · Nutr J · 2016
Randomized controlled trials
3- 11Oral Hyaluronan Relieves Wrinkles and Improves Dry Skin: A 12-Week Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled StudyPMIDHsu TF et al. · Nutrients · 2021
After 12 weeks, skin condition was significantly improved in wrinkle assessment, stratum corneum water content, transepidermal water loss, and elasticity vs placebo.
- 12Ingested hyaluronan moisturizes dry skinSource linkedPMIDKawada C, Yoshida T, Yoshida H et al. · Nutr J · 2014
- 13Oral administration of polymer hyaluronic acid alleviates symptoms of knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study over a 12-month periodPMIDTashiro T et al. · ScientificWorldJournal · 2012
Oral HA 200 mg daily for 12 months alleviated symptoms of knee osteoarthritis in 60 subjects.
Reviews & position papers
3- 14Role of oral hyaluronic acid for joint health: insights from rat models and clinical trialsPMIDChen Y et al. · Nutr J · 2025
HA significantly decreased WOMAC pain, stiffness, and physical function scores; oral HA can reduce arthritis progression and cartilage damage.
- 15Molecular weight and gut microbiota determine the bioavailability of orally administered hyaluronic acidPMIDKimura M et al. · Carbohydr Polym · 2023
Bacteroides spp. in the gut are crucial for HA absorption; they cleave HA into oligosaccharides which are partially absorbed through the intestinal wall.
- 16Absorption of Orally Administered HyaluronanPMIDBalogh L et al. · J Agric Food Chem · 2016
Orally administered HA is degraded to oligosaccharides by intestinal bacteria and absorbed in the large intestine; bioavailability is ~0.2% suggesting regulatory mechanism of action.
Reference material
2- 17Casale M, Moffa A, Vella P et al.. Hyaluronic acid: Perspectives in dentistry. A systematic review. International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology. 2016Source linkedPMID
- 18Salwowska NM, Bebenek KA, Żądło DA et al.. Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic review. Journal of cosmetic dermatology. 2016Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Hyaluronic Acid, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Key molecule for skin hydration, joint lubrication, and tissue repair.
What is Hyaluronic Acid used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Hyaluronic Acid include: Skin hydration; Joint lubrication; Wound healing; Eye health. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Hyaluronic Acid?
A typical adult dose of Hyaluronic Acid is 120-240 mg daily. The commonly recommended form is Low molecular weight HA (better absorption) or high MW for joints. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Hyaluronic Acid?
Reported side effects include well tolerated, rare allergic reactions. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Hyaluronic Acid?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Hyaluronic Acid in NutriStack.
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