Which is Better—Ingestible Hyaluronic Acid or Topical HA?
Overview of HA Supplements and Products: What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid (often abbreviated to “HA”) is a type of polysaccharide, meaning that it is a large, complex carbohydrate molecule made up of many smaller sugars. HA has a slippery, gooey texture due to its high-water content and is produced by the body as part of its normal functions. Although hyaluronic acid is best known for its skincare benefits, HA is also crucial for wound healing, bone strength, and the health of the joints and eyes, among other key bodily systems.
During the aging process, the skin produces less hyaluronic acid than it produced formerly, which can result in wrinkles, dullness, sagging, and other textural skin issues. Supplementing with HA can commonly help to mitigate some of the effects of reduced HA production due to age.
There are numerous hyaluronic acid (HA) products on the market, so how does one decide which to choose? Two of the main categories of HA products are ingestible hyaluronic acid and topical hyaluronic acid. Here’s what this means and the key differences between the two.
What is Ingestible Hyaluronic Acid?
Ingestible hyaluronic acid, also known as oral hyaluronic acid supplements, is exactly what it sounds like: HA taken by mouth, typically in the form of a pill/capsule or as a powder.
Benefits of Ingestible HA
Research shows that taking HA as an oral supplement can have numerous benefits for skin. For instance, a double-blind, randomized clinical trial (meaning the study was well-designed and thus the data is particularly high quality) showed that ingestible HA resulted in improved skin hydration, skin tone, and epidermal thickness in two to 12 weeks. This was true across a range of skin types and ages.
In addition, since HA is one of the compounds that makes up synovial fluid (i.e., the fluid in the joints that protects the ends of bones and minimizes friction with movement), taking HA as a supplement may improve joint health and function while reducing pain and discomfort.
The eyes also depend on HA to maintain moisture, without which symptoms such as dryness, vision problems, and more may arise. This is because HA is found in high concentrations inside the vitreous humor, which is the jelly-like substance that makes up the eyeball. HA supplements are thought to support healthy eyes as well as reduce UV-related oxidative stress to the cornea.
Hyaluronic acid is an essential precursor to the hyaline cartilage that supports the bones of the ears, nose, and ribs and protects the ends of the long bones. This is likely why supplementing with oral HA may improve bone health and accelerate the bones’ repair functions, although more high-quality studies in humans are needed to confirm these effects.
What is Topical HA?
Topical HA is hyaluronic acid that is meant to be applied directly to the skin, such as a hyaluronic acid serum, face cream, or body lotion.
Benefits of Topical HA
Both ingestible and topical Hyaluronic acid’s benefits for skin are numerous for quite a few reasons. First, the substance is an essential part of the body’s ability to synthesize collagen, a protein that supports the structure of the skin and maintains its elasticity. Second, HA may increase the hydration of the skin since it can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water. Both of these forms of HA contribute to fewer signs of aging, plumping the skin and hydrating wrinkles and fine lines to reduce their appearance. HA also combats free radicals, which can contribute significantly to aging and even chronic disease.
Ingestible vs. Topical HA: How Do They Stack Up Against Each Other?
Which One Is Right For You?
Ingestible and topical hyaluronic acid both provide significant benefits, but ingestible HA can have systemic benefits for both skin as well as for the health and function of the joints, eyes, bones, and more. In terms of skin health in particular, topical HA typically creates more rapid effects in the area where it is applied, but these effects will not extend to the rest of the skin. Ingestible HA, on the other hand, can improve the hydration, elasticity, and youthful look of the skin from the inside; it may take longer to work, but may be more noticeable when it does.
Can You Combine Ingestible HA with Topical HA?
Not only can you combine ingestible HA with topical HA, but doing so may actually be the most effective approach to maximize the benefits derived from these products. Applying topical HA may create a more immediate effect, while ingestible HA supplements will begin to work over time, improving the health and appearance of skin as well as the function of other body systems such as for the eyes, joints, bones, and more.
The Best Ingestible Hyaluronic Acid Product
For a product that contains not only hyaluronic acid but also potent, proven anti-aging ingredients such as antioxidants, collagen peptides, and resveratrol, look no further than Body Kitchen’s Youthful Beauty Advanced Powder.
Body Kitchen Youthful Beauty Advanced Powder
Body Kitchen’s Youthful Beauty Advanced Powder utilizes a powerful combination of revitalizing compounds. The first ingredient is, of course, hyaluronic acid, but its effects are amplified by the addition of collagen, resveratrol, and black currant-derived antioxidants.
As previously mentioned, collagen is a powerful anti-aging tool with its inherent ability to make the skin more elastic. While hyaluronic acid supplementation on its own may increase the production of collagen in the skin, supplementing with collagen in addition to HA is thought to be even more effective. Body Kitchen’s collagen powder stands out from other products on the market since it contains thirty times as many dipeptides (which are an essential form of collagen peptide) than comparable collagen supplements. As a result, those taking Youthful Beauty Advanced Powder are likely to experience improved absorption of the collagen in their bodies, which means more overall benefits (such as anti-aging effects) from supplementing with this powder.
Convenience is another major benefit of this powder when compared to alternative ingestible HA supplements. Rather than remembering to take multiple pills/capsules, it’s as easy as mixing a single scoop of Youthful Beauty Advanced Powder into a cup of whichever beverage you prefer, whether that’s water, juice, tea, etc.
Youthful Beauty Advanced Powder is made with only the highest quality ingredients available on the market. It is similar to other Body Kitchen supplements in that its ingredients are derived from real food whenever possible, including collagen peptides from fish and collagen from grass-fed cows.
Incorporate this powder into your everyday supplement routine to enjoy a healthier, more youthful, and more beautiful complexion as well as additional benefits for the health of the bones, joints, eyes, and more.
Before Taking HA Supplements, Talk to a Medical Professional
Hyaluronic acid is produced by the body itself and makes up part of many tissues throughout the body, which means that hyaluronic acid side effects and allergic reactions are relatively uncommon, especially in the case of ingestible HA. Nevertheless, allergic reactions are a possibility, so speaking with a qualified medical professional is important before beginning this or any other oral supplement. It’s impossible for anyone but your doctor to determine whether ingestible HA supplements are the right choice for your particular health needs and circumstances.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10661223/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4729158/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15573687/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317151#what-is-collagen
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2778417/#b4-ppa-3-225
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1966392/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10180699/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8824545/
