PoreWise Ingredient
Hyaluronic acid
Public databaseHYALURONIC ACID
Hyaluronic acid is the acid form of the hyaluronan polymer — a chain of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine units — and, on an ingredient list, a separate INCI name from its sodium salt. The strongest evidence comes from a 2011 human trial of 76 women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles: All five 0.1% hyaluronic acid creams tested, from 50 kDa to 2000 kDa, raised skin hydration and overall elasticity above the vehicle cream applied to the other eye at 60 days. 2011 · 76 people · Women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles · PMID 22052267 · Sixty days, and the vehicle sat on the fellow eye. Hydration and elasticity were read by instruments. The volunteers were women aged 30-60 with eye-area wrinkles. 4 products contain Hyaluronic acid; the highest it appears is number 4 of 22.
- Also written as:
- Hyaluronan, HA
- INCI name:
- HYALURONIC ACID
- Source:
- PubChem
Functions
Other forms of the same substance
The same substance under other INCI names, with the product count for each.
Products with this ingredient
Hyaluronic acid appears on 4 product ingredient lists, most often around number 26; its highest position is number 4 of 22.
| Product | Brand | Where it sits on the list |
|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic Acid Booster | Paula's Choice | 4 of 22 |
| Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner | Anua | 22 of 24 |
| Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum | Anua | 26 of 51 |
| 3-Ceramide + Panthenol Moisture Barrier Cream | Anua | 49 of 67 |
Studies and results
- 1 Skin effectEfficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment
All five 0.1% hyaluronic acid creams tested, from 50 kDa to 2000 kDa, raised skin hydration and overall elasticity above the vehicle cream applied to the other eye at 60 days.
Human trial · 2011 · 76 people · Women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles · 0.1% hyaluronic acid creams applied twice daily for 60 days to the eye area of women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles. · Sixty days, and the vehicle sat on the fellow eye. Hydration and elasticity were read by instruments. The volunteers were women aged 30-60 with eye-area wrinkles.
- 2 Skin effectEfficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment
Periocular wrinkle depth improved against vehicle with the 50 kDa and 130 kDa hyaluronic acid creams; after 60 days the 300, 800 and 2000 kDa creams matched vehicle on measured roughness.
Human trial · 2011 · 76 people · Women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles · Replica-based roughness measurement (mean roughness Ra, maximum roughness Rz) of periocular wrinkles, with 0.1% creams applied twice daily for 60 days. · Wrinkle depth was an instrumental secondary measure on women who already had periocular lines. The trial stopped at 60 days. The five creams differed in molecular weight, shared a base formula.
- 3 Skin effectSignificantly Enhanced Improvement in Dryness, Roughness, Fine Lines and Radiance Following Daily Use of a Novel Multi-Weight Hyaluronic Acid Plus Antioxidant Complex-Based Lotion Compared to a Single-Weight HA Plus Ceramide-Based Lotion
In a double-blind comparative study of 70 women with mild-to-moderate facial dryness, a multi-weight hyaluronic acid plus antioxidant lotion produced significantly greater improvements in clinician-graded visible dryness, roughness and fine lines over 8 weeks than a single-weight hyaluronic acid plus ceramide lotion, with improvements visible from week 2.
Human trial · 2024 · 70 people · women aged 25-65 with mild-to-moderate facial dryness and fine lines · Clinician-graded facial dryness, roughness and fine lines over 8 weeks. · Both arms used active moisturisers with SPF30; the study was funded by the product manufacturer.
- 4 Skin effectA Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial of a Dermocosmetic Containing Vichy Volcanic Mineralizing Water and Probiotic Fractions in Subjects with Rosacea Associated with Erythema and Sensitive Skin and Wearing Protective Masks
In a randomized split-face controlled trial in people with rosacea-associated erythema and sensitive skin, a dermocosmetic containing mineralizing water, probiotic fractions, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide significantly improved erythema at day 15 (p<0.01) and day 30 (p<0.001), with skin erythema, tightness, dryness, hydration and TEWL improving versus the untreated side (p<=0.05).
Human trial · 2023 · People with rosacea-associated erythema and sensitive skin wearing protective masks · Facial erythema, tightness, dryness, hydration and TEWL over 30 days. · The comparator is usual skin care / an untreated half-face.
- 5 How deep it getsHuman skin penetration of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights as probed by Raman spectroscopy
Hyaluronic acid of 20-300 kDa crossed the stratum corneum in excised human skin, while hyaluronic acid of 1000-1400 kDa remained in the stratum corneum.
In vitro study · 2016 · Excised human skin sections · Excised human skin with intact stratum corneum, measured by Raman micro-imaging after topical application. · One laboratory's imaging study. Three molecular-weight grades were tested. "remains above" describes intact stratum corneum in this ex vivo setup.
Skin concerns this ingredient has been studied for
The people in each study had that concern.
Common questions
- What does Hyaluronic acid do in skincare?
- Hyaluronic acid is the acid form of the hyaluronan polymer — a chain of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine units — and, on an ingredient list, a separate INCI name from its sodium salt.
- Is Hyaluronic acid the same as Sodium hyaluronate and Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid?
- Sodium hyaluronate and Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and Hyaluronic acid are the same substance under different INCI names: one polymer, differing by salt form and chain length. Ingredient lists print the name matching the material used in that formula.
- Where does Hyaluronic acid sit in these formulas?
- Hyaluronic acid appears in 4 products; highest on the list is number 4 of 22, in Hyaluronic Acid Booster.
- Which products contain Hyaluronic acid?
- Products that contain Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic Acid Booster, Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner, Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum, 3-Ceramide + Panthenol Moisture Barrier Cream.
- How strong is the evidence behind Hyaluronic acid?
- 5 findings on Hyaluronic acid; the strongest is a 2011 human trial of 76 women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles.
- What did the study on Hyaluronic acid measure?
- 2011 · 76 people · Women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles · PMID 22052267 · Sixty days, and the vehicle sat on the fellow eye. Hydration and elasticity were read by instruments. The volunteers were women aged 30-60 with eye-area wrinkles.