Where is hyaluronic acid found in the body ?
The body produces hyaluronic acid and continually renews it. This molecule retains water and contributes to the properties of the tissues in which it is found :
- In the skin. It contributes to hydration and the organisation of the matrix surrounding cells.
- In the joints. It is present in synovial fluid and contributes to its lubricating properties.
- In the eye. In particular, it is a component of the vitreous body, the gel-like substance inside the eye.
Dry skin or a loss of facial volume does not necessarily mean that the body lacks hyaluronic acid. These changes may have different causes.
Where does the hyaluronic acid used in products come from ?
Commercially available hyaluronic acid is mainly obtained through bacterial fermentation. It is produced under controlled conditions, then extracted and purified before being incorporated into cosmetics, dietary supplements or injectable products.
It can also be of animal origin : the FDA overview of filler materials mentions bacterial sources or sources derived from rooster combs. The origin must therefore be checked for each product, because not all commercially available hyaluronic acids are necessarily of non-animal origin.
Some injectable hyaluronic acids are cross-linked, meaning that their molecules are connected to prolong their presence in the tissues. Some gels also contain a local anaesthetic.
Thus, even though the molecule is naturally present in the body, the properties of the injectable product depend on its manufacture and formulation.
Is there a 100 % natural hyaluronic acid ?
Hyaluronic acid exists naturally in the body. However, the hyaluronic acid in creams, dietary supplements and injections is obtained through a manufacturing process. In particular, it may be produced through bacterial fermentation, then extracted and purified.
The origin of the molecule must be distinguished from the composition of the finished product. An injectable gel also contains water and other components ; some contain an anaesthetic. Hyaluronic acid may also be cross-linked, meaning modified to slow its breakdown. The FDA overview of fillers describes these manufacturing differences.
The claim « 100 % natural » must therefore be clarified : does it concern the origin of the hyaluronic acid or the entire formulation ? It does not mean that the product is identical in all its properties to the hyaluronic acid present in tissues.
Can hyaluronic acid be found in food ?
Hyaluronic acid is present in certain animal tissues, particularly cartilage. However, consuming it in food cannot guarantee an increase in its quantity in the skin.
Certain foods, such as bone broth, are sometimes presented as sources of hyaluronic acid. Others, particularly eggs, citrus fruit and green vegetables, provide nutrients useful to the skin, without evidence that they specifically stimulate hyaluronic acid production.
A balanced diet contributes to skin health, but no diet has demonstrated effectiveness in restoring facial volume, filling wrinkles or prolonging the results of hyaluronic acid injections.
Do dietary supplements increase skin hydration ?
A twelve-week randomised trial involving 150 adults observed, in particular, improved hydration after taking sodium hyaluronate. These results require cautious interpretation because several authors were employed by the manufacturer and follow-up was limited to twelve weeks.
This study does not demonstrate that all hyaluronic acid supplements are effective, or that they can lastingly rejuvenate the skin or restore facial volume.
Molecular weight alone is also insufficient to determine a supplement’s effectiveness. No threshold value establishes that a formulation will systematically be better absorbed or more effective than another.
Can hyaluronic acid production be stimulated naturally ?
No food, cosmetic or additional water intake has demonstrated an ability to predictably increase natural hyaluronic acid production in the skin.
Nevertheless, certain habits help preserve skin quality. Daily sun protection limits damage caused by ultraviolet radiation and slows photoageing, as shown by a randomised trial on regular use of sun protection. However, this does not mean that it directly increases hyaluronic acid production.
Moisturising care improves the suppleness and comfort of dry skin, but drinking more water than necessary does not restore skin hyaluronic acid reserves.
If dryness, redness or irritation persists, identifying its cause is preferable to multiplying dietary supplements.
Cream, supplement or injection : what does « natural » mean for each product ?
The term « natural » guarantees neither the effectiveness nor the safety of a hyaluronic acid product. Its effects mainly depend on its formulation and how it is used.
- Hyaluronic acid cosmetics. Applied to the skin, they mainly improve superficial hydration. Their concentration, composition and tolerability cannot be determined by the word « natural » alone.
- Dietary supplements. Taken orally, they may improve certain skin hydration parameters depending on the formulation used.
- Injectable products. Administered directly into tissues by an authorised professional, they must meet requirements for sterility, compliance and safety. Their composition and indications must be checked. A powder intended for cosmetic or dietary use must never be used to prepare an injection.
Precautions concerning the different formulations are detailed in the article abouthyaluronic acid powder and its uses.
Is a « 100 % natural » hyaluronic acid necessarily safer ?
No. The claim « 100 % natural » does not guarantee that a hyaluronic acid product is safer or free from adverse effects. In particular, allergic reactions may be caused by certain components of its formulation.
For injections, risks also depend on the area treated, the technique used and the patient’s health.
The choice of product must therefore be based on its composition, origin, indication and the scientific data available. For injectable hyaluronic acid, it is also essential to know the name of the gel used and have the information needed for its traceability.
The risks of hyaluronic acid injections are detailed on a separate page.
At Dr Valeria Romano’s practice in Geneva, the choice of product considers the patient’s needs, medical history and anatomy. The natural origin of hyaluronic acid does not, on its own, constitute a safety criterion.
To learn more, see the page devoted to risks of hyaluronic acid injections.
Where can quality hyaluronic acid be found ?
To choose a quality hyaluronic acid, its origin, composition, manufacturer and compliance with current standards must be checked. The word « natural » is not a sufficient criterion.
Precautions depend on how the product is used :
- For a cream or serum. Choose products whose manufacturer, composition and precautions for use are clearly indicated. Hyaluronic acid concentration alone does not determine their effectiveness or tolerability.
- For a dietary supplement. Check the composition, recommended daily dose, precautions for use and the identity of the manufacturer or distributor. Anti-ageing claims must be supported by scientific data.
- For an injection. Hyaluronic acid must come from a reliable distribution channel, comply with Swiss regulatory requirements and be stored under appropriate conditions. The product name and batch number must allow its traceability.
Do not buy an injectable gel yourself to inject it or have it injected. The Swissmedic recommendations on fillers emphasise, in particular, the importance of the professional’s qualifications. Even when a product is compliant and traceable, its safety also depends on the indication, injection technique and practitioner’s expertise.
