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Research · Supplements

Hyaluronic acid (oral)

A meta-analysis of 7 small trials found more skin hydration and elasticity and shallower wrinkles than placebo. Small knee trials found less pain, in the longest only at age 70 or younger. Many trials were run by staff of one maker. One trial found no adverse events linked to it, and a 12-month knee trial found none either.

Add to Bio HackChecked 2026-11-09
Status
Oral hyaluronic acid is a dietary supplement in the US. Injected hyaluronic acid products are regulated separately as medical devices and are not covered here.
Also called
hyaluronan, HA, sodium hyaluronate, oral hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid capsules, Hyabest
Taken for
joint pain, knee osteoarthritis, skin hydration, wrinkles, anti-aging, dry skin, dry eyes

Strong several reviews agree · Moderate one review or consistent trials · Limited one or a few small studies · Untested no study in people, listed with what it rests on

Shown to help5

Reported risks0

No risks sourced yet.

What people take it for, and what was found

Shown to help5

Moderate

Wrinkles

Shown to lower wrinkle depth and raise skin elasticity over placebo in adults. Pooled wrinkle volume and firmness did not differ.

The numbers and sources
Effect
A 2025 meta-analysis of 7 RCTs found lower wrinkle depth and higher skin elasticity than placebo. Wrinkle volume and firmness did not differ significantly [1]. On 120 mg a day for 12 weeks, wrinkle area and volume were lower than placebo, significant at 8 weeks for one form [2]. A second 12-week trial of 120 mg a day found better wrinkle scores, skin water content and elasticity than placebo [3]. In 150 healthy European adults, 120 mg a day for 12 weeks lowered periorbital wrinkle depth and raised elasticity against placebo, and 60 mg a day had smaller effects [4].
Population
Adults in 7 RCTs [1]; 60 Japanese adults aged 22 to 59 with crow's feet [2]; 40 healthy Asian adults aged 35 to 64 [3]; 150 healthy Caucasian adults [4].
Sources
[1], [2], [3], [4]
Caveats
The meta-analysis abstract gives no effect sizes, and its authors note a small total sample and heterogeneity [1]. Authors of [3] included Kewpie Corporation staff, and [2] shares authors with it [2][3].
Moderate

Dry skin

Shown to raise skin hydration over placebo in adults. Water loss through the skin did not differ in pooled trials.

The numbers and sources
Effect
The 2025 meta-analysis of 7 RCTs found higher skin hydration than placebo, and transepidermal water loss did not differ significantly [1]. Over 6 weeks, skin moisture rose more on 120 mg a day of two molecular weights than on placebo. Self-rated facial aging symptoms also improved [5]. In the 150-adult trial, 120 mg a day raised facial hydration and lowered transepidermal water loss against placebo [4].
Population
Adults in 7 RCTs [1]; 61 adults with dry skin [5]; 150 healthy Caucasian adults [4].
Sources
[1], [5], [4]
Caveats
The meta-analysis abstract gives no effect sizes [1]. All but one author of [5] were Kewpie Corporation staff [5].
Limited

Knee osteoarthritis symptoms

Small trials found less knee pain than placebo, but in the 12-month trial only in people aged 70 or younger. Most authors worked for the maker.

The numbers and sources
Effect
Over 12 months of 200 mg a day with daily quadriceps exercise, knee scores improved in both groups. Scores were better than placebo only in people aged 70 or younger, at months 2 and 4 [6]. Over 60 days, pain on a visual scale and WOMAC pain were lower than placebo (P < 0.05), and use of painkillers fell [7]. A review of trials from 2008 to 2015 reported less knee pain and effusion [8].
Population
60 adults with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 or 3 knee osteoarthritis [6]; 60 adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis [7]; trials in the review [8].
Sources
[6], [7], [8]
Caveats
The 12-month trial found a difference only in a subgroup [6]. Most authors of [6] were from Kewpie Corporation, which makes hyaluronic acid. The review shares authors with that trial [6][8].
Limited

Knee discomfort in healthy adults

One small trial found lower knee pain, stiffness and discomfort scores over 12 weeks in healthy adults.

The numbers and sources
Effect
On 111 mg a day for 12 weeks, total scores for knee pain, stiffness and discomfort were lower than on placebo. Mobility, balance and blood markers did not differ [9].
Population
31 healthy adults with little or no knee osteoarthritis, mean age about 60 [9].
Sources
[9]
Caveats
One small trial. Most authors were from Kewpie Corporation [9].
Limited

Dry eyes

One small trial found oral hyaluronic acid added to hyaluronic acid eye drops improved corneal staining and symptom scores more than the drops alone over 3 months.

The numbers and sources
Effect
In 54 adults with dry eye using hyaluronic acid eye drops, those also given 240 mg of oral hyaluronic acid a day had better corneal staining at 1 month (between-group p < 0.001) and better corneal staining and OSDI symptom scores at 3 months (p < 0.001 and p = 0.046). Symptom scores fell from 61.8 to 42.3 on the combination. Tear break-up time did not differ between groups [10].
Population
54 adults with dry eye disease in Korea, 24 given oral hyaluronic acid and 30 drops alone [10].
Sources
[10]
Caveats
A pilot trial with no placebo capsule, so the control group knew it was not taking a supplement. Everyone also used hyaluronic acid drops [10]. It was publicly funded and the authors declared no conflicts [10].

Doses studied

Knee trials used 200 mg a day for 12 months [6] and 111 mg a day for 12 weeks [9]. Skin trials used 120 mg a day for 6 to 12 weeks [2][3][5], and one compared 60 and 120 mg a day for 12 weeks [4].

Risks

Checked, no increase found2

Limited

Long-term use

One 12-month trial found 4 of 30 people on oral hyaluronic acid stopped with possible stomach side effects against 2 of 30 on placebo, a difference that was not significant.

The numbers and sources
How common
How often is not known: the sources give no rate.
Effect
In 60 adults with knee osteoarthritis given 200 mg of oral hyaluronic acid or placebo daily for 12 months, possible side effects led to exclusion of 4 on hyaluronic acid, with stomach discomfort in 2, reflux in 1 and appetite loss in 1, and 2 on placebo, with skin itching or redness. The frequencies did not differ significantly, and none was shown to be caused by the capsules [6].
Population
60 adults with knee osteoarthritis in Japan, 30 per group [6].
Sources
[6]
Caveats
One small trial, run with staff of the manufacturer, Kewpie Corporation [6]. No study longer than 12 months was located.
Limited

Side effects in trials

Small trials found no related adverse events and no change in liver or muscle markers. Most were run by staff of one manufacturer.

The numbers and sources
Effect
Dermatologists found no adverse events related to 6 weeks of daily intake [5]. Liver enzymes, creatine kinase and C-reactive protein did not differ from placebo after 12 weeks [9].
Population
61 adults [5]; 31 adults [9].
Sources
[9], [5]
Caveats
Trials were small and short, and most were run by staff of one manufacturer.

Claims tested and not found

  1. That oral hyaluronic acid improves mobility or balance in healthy adults. A locomotive risk test and one-leg standing time did not differ from placebo [9].

Sources

  1. Amin P, Sarabi A, Choe S, et al. Oral Hyaluronic Acid Supplement: Efficacy in Skin Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkle Depth Reduction. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2025. https://doi.org/10.36849/jdd.8542
  2. Oe M, Sakai S, Yoshida H, et al. Oral hyaluronan relieves wrinkles: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study over a 12-week period. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2017. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S141845
  3. Hsu TF, Su ZR, Hsieh YH, et al. Oral Hyaluronan Relieves Wrinkles and Improves Dry Skin: A 12-Week Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13072220
  4. Dolečková I, Kušnierik P, Berka V, et al. Oral sodium hyaluronate improves skin hydration, barrier function and signs of aging: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 150 healthy adults. Scientific Reports. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-32758-5
  5. Kawada C, Yoshida T, Yoshida H, et al. Ingestion of hyaluronans (molecular weights 800 k and 300 k) improves dry skin conditions: a randomized, double blind, controlled study. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition. 2015. https://doi.org/10.3164/jcbn.14-81
  6. Tashiro T, Seino S, Sato T, et al. Oral Administration of Polymer Hyaluronic Acid Alleviates Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study over a 12-Month Period. The Scientific World Journal. 2012. https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/167928
  7. Cicero AFG, Girolimetto N, Bentivenga C, et al. Short-Term Effect of a New Oral Sodium Hyaluronate Formulation on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Diseases. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases8030026
  8. Oe M, Tashiro T, Yoshida H, et al. Oral hyaluronan relieves knee pain: a review. Nutrition Journal. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-016-0128-2
  9. Sugiyama K, Oe M, Tanaka T, et al. Oral sodium hyaluronate relieves knee discomfort: A 12-week double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 2023. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2023.12352
  10. Kim Y, Moon CH, Kim BY, Jang SY. Oral hyaluronic acid supplementation for the treatment of dry eye disease: a pilot study. Journal of Ophthalmology. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5491626

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