The market is awash with supplements all promising different things, and it can be hard to know what they all do. However, as we age, one supplement worth taking is hyaluronic acid, because it works. A naturally occurring substance in the body, hyaluronic acid (or HA for short) performs many functions and is integral to preserving joint, eye and bone health. Below, I’ve rounded up the best HA supplements out there but before we take a look at those, let’s delve more into this amazing substance and what it does.
What are the benefits of taking hyaluronic acid?
I’ve written about the benefits of HA before, when I highlighted that it could potentially heal your joints and help you live longer, but what does hyaluronic acid do?
The answer is many things, as it’s naturally present throughout the body. Its primary function is lubrication: it retains water and so acts as a shock absorber around the joints in the body, working as part of our synovial fluid to prevent bones rubbing together. This is particularly useful in conditions like osteoarthritis or just the general joint pain and stiffness we all encounter as we age.
However, our hyaluronic acid stores decrease as we age. Supplementing it simply helps us to keep our HA levels topped up, ensuring optimal skin, joint and eye health.
Its water retaining properties also work within our eyes, helping to keep them moist and hydrated. If you’ve ever suffered from dry eyes, you’ll know how painful and irritating it can be. Hyaluronic acid helps prevent that.
When it comes to our skin. HA works with collagen to plump up the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. If you think of collagen as building blocks and the hyaluronic acid is that scaffolding holding everything together. This also helps in wound healing and can be used topically to reduce things like acne scarring too.
There have been numerous studies into this amazing substance – and scientists are discovering new information all the time. It’s efficacy at keeping joints supple are already known, along with the other benefits detailed above, but it’s also thought it might help us live longer. Studies have shown that its ability to help in tissue repair might ultimately increase longevity.
Is hyaluronic acid safe?
Since it’s a naturally occurring substance in the body, taking HA is perfectly safe for most people. Side effects are rare and few. Research has proven it’s also safe to take if pregnant or breast feeding.
Who should not take hyaluronic acid?
Oral HA supplements are considered safe, however, always check the ingredients of any supplements carefully, particularly if you suffer from any allergies. Other conditions that might mean HA isn’t suitable include:
Cancer – Always check with your doctor or oncologist before starting any new supplement if undergoing cancer treatment in any form.
Children – Don't give oral hyaluronic acid supplements to children as it’s efficacy and safety is relatively unknown. It is, however, safe to use topically for the treatment of things like mouth ulcers. However, it’s always good to get advice from a doctor or pharmacist before administering it.
Vegetarians/ vegans – Hyaluronic Acid is often derived from animal sources, so isn’t suitable if you follow a plant-based diet. However, there are plant-based HA supplements out there, and foods such as sweet potatoes and turmeric encourage the body to produce more HA.
Which is better – collagen or hyaluronic acid?
The answer is they both do similar, but different, things. Both substances can help our skin, hair and nails as well as joint health. Hyaluronic acid’s job is to help soft tissue growth, plump up the skin, prevent tightness and to help the body produce more collagen. It can be taken orally, placed directly on the skin in the form of a serum or cream, or even injected. Collagen helps to rebuild the skin’s connective tissue – preventing things like hair breakage or wrinkles but it works from within the body and is taken as a supplement.
How long before hyaluronic acid supplements work?
Results from HA supplements can be seen in as little as 2 weeks but having tested supplements myself and having spoken to our other testers, I’d say 4-6 weeks is when you really start to notice benefits, particularly if you're taking it to ease joint pain.
You can see our best hyaluronic acid supplements that we've tested, below.
How we tested hyaluronic acid supplements
We sourced the hyaluronic acid supplements and tested them for six weeks. I have tested one product - as a fitness instructor and personal trainer, I am constantly putting pressure on my joints and, at 44 years old, starting to pay the price!
Another HA supplement was tested by my mum, age 78. She is having difficulty with joint stiffness due to Polymyalgia and also rheumatism in her hips. A third was tested by a 71 year old personal training client of mine. She usually takes collagen but swapped to the one she tested for this article.
All our reviews are honest and genuine.
Further products included on this list are chosen based on positive reviews, quality ingredients and value. We will be testing these products in due course and will update this article with reviews as we have them.
Tested
Best hyaluronic acid supplement overall
YoursReview: I've been testing Syno-Vital for 6 weeks now. As a fitness instructor, my body goes through a lot and, over the years, I've build up an uncomfortable stiffness in my left knee that comes from too much high-impact activity. I also have arthritis in my fingers. While this isn't that debilitating yet, it is painful at times and I don't like to take a lot of pain medication.
Syno-Vital comes in 5ml sachets that you add to water, squash, or any other drink. It's colorless, tasteless and odourless, which is great as I'm not always that good at drinking things I don't like! I've been adding it to the glass of water I have first thing.
I didn't feel any real effects until about 3 weeks in, when I noticed the pain in my hands had decreased when I was carrying dumbbells. It's always the gripping of the handles that really makes my hands hurt, and it was lessening everyday. Now, at 6 weeks in, it's barely there at all.
Regarding my knee, this has taken a little longer to feel the effects, and I'm interested to keep taking Syno-Vital to see how much it improves over time. The stiffness in the joint, which is worse when I wake up or get up out of a chair after a long time, is definitely better. However, I did run 5K and still felt the stiffness and pain in the knee for the rest of that day.
Price-wise, Syno-Vital isn't the cheapest on the market but neither is it the most expensive. given that it's worked so well for me, I'd consider it a good investment, and I'll happily keep buying it. Taking it daily has meant I can stop taking ibuprofen daily for my hands, and I feel there's a definite improvement.
Pros
- Eases joint stiffness in around 4 weeks
- Eases arthritic pain
- Easy to take
- No taste
Cons
- More expensive than some other options - but we feel it's worth it
Tested
Best hyaluronic acid supplement for skin
Review: I was keen to test these as I know Solgar are renowned for good quality supplements. I was surprised but pleased to see the hyaluronic acid was paired with collagen - I didn't realize the role they play and how they support each other until I read up on it.
I stopped taking my usual collagen while I tried these and I have to say I think it's made a real difference to the fine lines on my face, especially around the mouth. I think the water retaining properties of HA have helped plump up my skin. I don't look puffy, though, just more radiant, I'd say, which is nice! The deeper wrinkles are still there. I don't know if they'll diminish over time but I'll keep trying!
The HA hasn't made a huge amount of difference to my hip pain, but it has made it easier to get in and out of bed. At 71, I was finding stiffness in the mornings that seems to have gone.
Pros
- High quality ingredients
- Includes collagen for added skin elasticity improvement
Cons
- Expensive
- Tablet form - might be difficult for some to swallow
Tested
Best high strength hyaluronic acid
Yours www.hollandandbarrett.com
Review: At 79, I sometimes feel I'm falling apart! My daughter asked me to try this HA supplement to see if it would help with the pain I experience. I have polymyalgia and also rheumatism in my hip. When I stand up it takes me a while to get moving because I have to wait for the pain to subside and then when I get into bed it's hard to get comfortable.
I have been taking these for nearly six weeks. Although my pain hasn't totally vanished, it has improved. I know the conditions I have mean it's unlikely to go altogether, so I'm actually really delighted with the results because it's still a big improvement.
I think these tablets offer value for money, and I think they're affordable. I'll definitely carry on taking them as I am hoping that I might see even more improvement over time.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Small tablet size
- Works well on joint pain
Cons
- Tablet form might not be easy to take for some
Best value hyaluronic acid supplement
The Weight World HA comes in a four-month supply, and represents good value for money. It's high-strength, too, so all your HA needs are covered. The easy to swallow capsules are gluten-free and suitable for vegans.
Customers really appreciate the fact that the capsules are small, and many have praised the effect they've had on their skin. There's not many reviews talking about easing of joint pain, but I'd say if a supplement is having a good effect on the skin then that means it's definitely working from the inside out.
Pros
- Easy to swallow capsules
- Value for money
- Positive effect on skin
Cons
- Not many info on how it affects joints
Best liquid hyaluronic acid supplement
Amazon If you struggle to take supplements in a tablet form then a liquid might be for you. This hyaluronic acid supplement from Swedish Nutra is dairy, lactose and gluten free, and lemon-flavoured.
Customers say it has a pleasant taste, and the recommended dose is 15ml daily. You need to refrigerate after opening, but the product does have a relatively long shelf-life if (for any reason) you're not taking it every day.
Reviewers think it offers good value for money, and I'd agree however, reviews are lacking in its long-term effects. Some have praised its effectiveness on joint stiffness though.
Pros
- Liquid formula is ideal if you can't take tablets
- Pleasant taste
Cons
- Lacking reviews on long-term efficacy
Best Vegan Hyaluronic Acid Supplement
Amazon This high-strength hyaluronic acid supplement is vegan friendly and is gluten, lactose and wheat free. There are no synthetic ingredients or fillers used. The product comes in a one-month supply.
Customers say the capsules are easy to swallow, and the high HA dose means it stimulates collagen production, making a difference to the appearance of skin and hair.
Many reviews say that this supplement has made a noticeable difference to their skin, but reviews on value for money are mixed.
Pros
- Suitable for vegans as well as other dietary conditions
- Very good at stimulating collagen production
Cons
- Reviews on value for money are mixed
Best Hyaluronic Acid Gummies
My proteinwww.myprotein.com
If capsules or liquids aren't your thing, then a gummy may be the answer. My Protein Hyaluronic Acid gummies are suitable for vegans and you take 2 a day. Perfect if you have a bit if a sweet tooth like me!
They're not as high-strength as the other HA supplements on this list, so that's worth noting, however they should still be effective for skin and hair health. If joint pain is an issue, opt for a higher strength product from the list.
I've not used these, but I have used many supplements form My Protein, and I've always been satisfied. Although there's not many reviews for this product, they are all positive.
Pros
- Sweet tasting gummies
- Suitable for vegans
Cons
- Not many reviews
- Fairly low dose of HA