Hyaluronic acid (HA) is now one of the best-known ingredients in health and beauty, but less than a century ago almost no one had heard of it. Here's a closer look at where HA came from, what it's made of, and why such a simple molecule does so much for your body.
A discovery that began in 1934
In 1934, two scientists at Columbia University, Karl Meyer and John Palmer, isolated a new substance from the vitreous humor, the clear gel inside the eye, of cows. Meyer already suspected that this molecule was far more important than many of his colleagues believed. Working together, Meyer and Palmer were able to isolate HA and begin to understand the vital role it plays in the eyes, joints and connective tissue. Their discovery laid the groundwork for decades of research, and for the many HA products available today.
Where the name comes from
The name "hyaluronic acid" comes from two parts. "Hyaloid" comes from the Greek word hyalos, meaning glass, a nod to the glassy, transparent gel where it was first found. "Uronic" refers to uronic acid, one of the sugars that make up the molecule. Despite the word "acid" in its name, HA isn't harsh or acidic on your skin at all. In fact, in the body it usually exists as a salt called sodium hyaluronate, which is why you'll often see that name on product labels.
What hyaluronic acid is made of
Scientifically, HA belongs to a family of molecules called glycosaminoglycans, or GAGs. That's a long word for a simple idea: a long chain made of repeating pairs of sugars. In HA's case, the two sugars are glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine, joined together over and over in a chain that can contain thousands of pairs. Each repeating pair has the chemical formula C14H21NO11, so the full molecule is written as (C14H21NO11)n, where "n" is the number of repeats. The longer the chain, the higher the molecular weight.
HA's secret: its love of water
The defining feature of hyaluronic acid is its ability to bind water. A single HA molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. When HA and water combine, they form a thick, slippery gel, and your body puts that gel to work in many ways. It cushions and lubricates your joints, helps your eyes keep their shape and stay hydrated, and keeps your skin plump, smooth and supple. That's also why HA has become such a popular skincare ingredient: it draws moisture into the skin and helps hold it there.
An ancient molecule
Hyaluronic acid has been around for a very long time. Writing in the journal Glycobiology, researchers Antonei Csoka and Robert Stern suggest that HA first appeared in vertebrates hundreds of millions of years ago. One theory is that early animals used it to help move water and materials around the body, using HA's gel as a kind of internal highway. Today, it's found in nearly every tissue in the human body.
How HA works between your cells
Most of the HA in your body sits in the space between your cells, known as the extracellular matrix. Here, it does more than hold water. It helps create a hydrated environment that lets nutrients and other substances move between cells. HA also attaches to receptors on the surface of cells, which helps cells communicate with each other and move to where they're needed. In other words, HA isn't just filler. It's an active part of how your tissues stay healthy and organized.
Hyaluronic acid in your body today
The average adult carries about 15 grams of HA at any given moment, and your body is constantly breaking it down and making new HA to replace it. When we're young, production easily keeps pace. As we age, the body breaks down HA faster than it can replace it, and by our 50s we may have only about half the HA we had in our 20s. Supplements and topical products made with HA can help support the body's HA levels as natural production slows.* To learn more, read How Much Hyaluronic Acid Does My Body Need?
From laboratory to your daily routine
Early commercial HA was extracted from animal sources such as rooster combs. Today, high-quality HA can be made through natural fermentation instead, with no animal products involved. That's the approach Hyalogic® has taken for more than 20 years. Our products use long-chain, high molecular weight HA, the same form your body produces naturally, and because it's made by fermentation, it's considered vegan-friendly. You'll find it in supplements like Synthovial SEVEN® and in skincare like Pure HA Serum.* To find out why chain length matters, read The Benefits of High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic Acid.
HA at a glance
If you remember just three things about hyaluronic acid, make it these:
- It's natural: your body makes about 15 grams of HA and is constantly renewing it.
- It loves water: each molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its weight, forming a cushioning, hydrating gel.
- It declines with age: production slows over time, which is why many people choose to support their HA levels with supplements and skincare.*
From a cow's eye in 1934 to your daily routine today, hyaluronic acid has come a long way. Explore Hyalogic's full range of HA products to discover what it can do for you.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.