Hyaluronic acid

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid, also called hyaluronan or sodium hyaluronate, is a long-chain sugar molecule from the group of glycosaminoglycans. It occurs naturally in connective tissue and can bind large amounts of water. For food supplements it is mostly produced by bacterial fermentation today; in the past it was also made from rooster combs.

No health claims for hyaluronic acid are authorised in the EU. This page therefore covers forms, amounts and combinations.

Forms at a glance

• Capsules: usually 50 to 400 mg per serving.
• Liquid: to take by mouth, often flavoured.
• Combinations: with collagen, vitamin C, MSM, chondroitin or glucosamine.
• Molecular weight: some brands state whether low or high molecular weight hyaluronic acid is used.

Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin – which is why you often find it in combination products.

Our range

• Pure: Jarrow Formulas Hyaluronic Acid, NeoCell Advanced Hyaluronic Acid with 400 mg, NOW Foods Hyaluronic Acid with 100 mg (Double Strength), OstroVit Hyaluronic Acid, Essensey Hyaluronic Acid+ and Swanson Hyaluronic Acid Complex.
• Liquid: NOW Foods Liquid Hyaluronic Acid and NeoCell Hyaluronic Acid Liquid in blueberry.
• With collagen: NeoCell Advanced Collagen Peptides with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, OstroVit Marine Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid, Osavi Collagen Type II with Hyaluronic Acid, Dorian Yates Liquid Collagen and Doctor's Best with BioCell Collagen.
• Other combinations: NOW Foods Hyaluronic Acid with MSM, Holland & Barrett with vitamin C and Doctor's Best Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM + Hyaluronic Acid.

What to look for

• Amount per serving: in mg on the label.
• Source: fermentation is usually suitable for a vegetarian diet too, rooster comb is not.
• Combinations: collagen, vitamin C or MSM – check each amount.
• To take or to apply: serums are for use on the skin, capsules and liquids are taken by mouth.

Follow the dose on the label. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied diet.

Frequently asked questions

Is hyaluronic acid made from animals?

Today it is mostly made by fermentation with bacteria. The source is often stated on the label.

Is sodium hyaluronate the same as hyaluronic acid?

Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid and the usual form in products.

Capsules or liquid?

Capsules are tasteless and precisely portioned, while liquids can be mixed into drinks.