Every day, your body renews itself, building new cells and replacing old ones in your skin, hair, nails and the tissues you can't see. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the molecules that helps keep this process running smoothly, delivering hydration and nourishment wherever it's needed.
A molecule your body is always renewing
Hyaluronic acid is a long-chain molecule with a remarkable affinity for water, able to hold up to 1,000 times its weight. That makes it especially useful in a body that's about 60% water. HA isn't found in meaningful amounts in the foods we eat, so our bodies make it themselves. At any given moment, the average adult carries about 15 grams of HA, and the body is constantly breaking it down and replacing it, recycling around a third of its supply every day. When we're young, production easily keeps up. As we get older, it gradually slows, and by our 50s we may have only about half the HA we had in our younger years. Here's what that means for different parts of your body.
Joints: cushioning and lubrication
Like the moving parts of a car, your joints need constant lubrication and cushioning to work smoothly. In your joints, HA binds with water to form synovial fluid, a gel-like substance that fills the joint capsule, cushioning it and helping the surfaces glide past each other with very little friction. As natural HA production slows, many people choose to support their supply with an oral supplement. Synthovial SEVEN® helps support joint comfort, flexibility and mobility with high molecular weight HA, the same kind your body makes naturally.* For a closer look, read Why Joint Hydration Matters.
Skin: moisture and suppleness
Your skin is your body's largest organ and your first line of protection against sun, wind and pollution. To do that job well, it needs moisture, and lots of it. When skin dries out, it can lose its elasticity, feel rough and tight, and look duller and older than it really is. About half of all the HA in your body is found in your skin, where its water-binding ability helps keep skin plump, smooth and supple. As HA levels decline with age, the complexion is often where people notice it first. Whether you take it as a supplement or apply it as a serum, hyaluronic acid helps support your skin's natural moisture for a healthier, younger-looking appearance.* Learn more in Topical vs. Consumable: Which Hyaluronic Acid Product is Right for Me?
Eyes: hydration from within
As you read this, your eyes are filled with a clear, gel-like fluid called the vitreous humor. It helps your eyes keep their shape, cushions them, and carries nourishment to the cells inside. HA is naturally found in the vitreous humor, where its water-binding ability helps keep the eye hydrated and plump. Supporting your body's HA levels with a supplement helps maintain normal eye function and health.* HylaVision™ combines HA with lutein, zeaxanthin, bilberry and key vitamins for well-rounded vision support.*
Hair and scalp: healthy roots
Your skin has two main layers: the outer epidermis, and the deeper dermis, where your hair follicles sit. The dermis is made of connective tissue that needs plenty of hydration to stay healthy and supple. HA helps deliver that moisture, supporting a well-hydrated scalp and hair that looks healthy and lustrous. You can find out more in The 5 Pillars of Hydration: #4 – Scalp and Hair.
Gums: strong yet flexible
Your gums are made of dense, fibrous tissue that holds your teeth securely in place. HA is a natural component of this tissue, helping it stay firm yet flexible. Keeping your mouth and gums well moisturized is part of a healthy daily routine, and HA can help. Dr. John's Toothpaste Gel is made with hyaluronic acid to help keep your gums and mouth moisturized and comfortable as you brush.
Why the quality of your HA matters
Not all hyaluronic acid is the same. Hyalogic® supplements are made with high molecular weight HA, the long-chain form your body produces naturally. Our HA is made through natural fermentation rather than from animal sources, so it's considered vegan-friendly. We've been dedicated to hyaluronic acid for more than 20 years, and that focus goes into every product we make. To learn more about why chain length matters, read The Benefits of High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic Acid.
Nourishing your body with HA
It comes down to three simple habits:
- Stay hydrated: drink water steadily through the day so HA has plenty to work with.
- Hydrate your skin directly: apply an HA serum such as Pure HA Serum to damp skin, then seal it in with a moisturizer.
- Support from within: take a daily oral HA supplement to help maintain your body's HA levels as natural production slows.*
From your joints to your gums, hyaluronic acid quietly nourishes your body every day. Explore Hyalogic's HA supplements to find the right support 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.