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Hyaluronic Acid Benefits for Skin & Joints

By Rachel Link, RD, MS

June 3, 2023

Hyaluronic acid is found in many skin care products as well as some joint health supplements, often alongside other ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin. Similarly, it can be found in beauty supplements in combination with ingredients like collagen, vitamin C or biotin, all of which help support skin’s elasticity and general health.

So is hyaluronic acid really good for you? Or are you better off spending your money on other ingredients? 

There’s evidence suggesting that hyaluronic acid can, in fact, support joint comfort and mobility, while also hydrating skin and helping to improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

In this article, learn where hyaluronic acid is found, including chicken-based bone broth, skin care products and joint supplements, plus how to use it to support your skin’s appearance, physical performance, exercise, recovery and more.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid (hyaluronic acid), also known as hyaluronan, is a naturally occurring substance found in the human body, as well as in animals. Hyaluronic acid is known for its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including giving skin its elasticity and joints their ability to absorb shock.

The body typically contains about 15 grams of hyaluronic acid at any given time. It's found in large concentrations in the skin, eyes, and joints. About half of the body's hyaluronic acid is found in the skin, where it binds to water to help retain moisture and hydrate skin. hyaluronic acid is also found in the joints, where it acts as a lubricant and a cushion.

What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do?

Hyaluronic acid is used in the skincare and healthcare industries due to its exceptional hydrating properties and capability of supporting cartilage and joint health.

Here are some of the main roles that hyaluronic acid has:

• Acts as a Shock Absorber for Joints: It helps absorb shock and lubricates the joints, allowing them to move smoothly.

• Supporters Healthy Skin Texture: What does hyaluronic acid do for your skin? Hyaluronic acid is a popular ingredient in skincare products because it can hydrate the skin and help it appear more plump and youthful. It's also used in cosmetic procedures such as dermal fillers to help reduce wrinkles and add volume.

• Lubricates Eyes: In the eyes, hyaluronic acid helps maintain the shape of the eyeball and lubricates movement of the eyes. 

Benefits

1. Supports Overall Joint Health and Mobility

Hyaluronic acid plays an important role in the functioning and health of joints because it’s a primary component of synovial fluid, the thick, gel-like substance that lubricates your joints and enables smooth, frictionless movement. 

Hyaluronic acid gives synovial fluid its viscous, gel-like properties, allowing it to act as a lubricant between the articular cartilage of joints during movement. Some studies have found that hyaluronic acid supplements may help reduce friction and wear, contributing to smoother movement. 

Hyaluronic acid also helps with shock absorption because of its vicious properties. Having a healthy amount of hyaluronic acid in your joints and cartilage may help make physical activities such as walking, running or jumping more comfortable; plus, it can potentially help support exercise recovery. 

Finally, synovial fluid helps bring nutrients to cartilage within joints, keeping them healthy. It can also support a healthy response to inflammation, helping to keep joints mobile and in good shape as you age.

2. Promotes Skin Health and Fights Signs of Natural Aging

Hyaluronic acid is commonly part of a solid daily skincare routine, and it's found in skincare products like serums, anti-aging creams and lotions. What are the effects of hyaluronic acid on the face? When applied topically to your skin, hyaluronic acid can have several positive effects:

Hydration: Hyaluronic acid is able to attract and retain moisture due to its high water-holding capacity, allowing it to bind and hold water molecules inside the skin. This helps to promote healthy skin hydration, making it appear plumper, smoother and more supple.

Supporting Healthy Texture: Some evidence points out that regular use of hyaluronic acid-containing skin care products can help improve the overall texture of the skin as well as skin tone. It can make the skin feel softer and more elastic, reducing roughness and promoting a smoother complexion.

Helps Reduce the Appearance of Wrinkles and Fine Lines: Due to its hydrating properties, hyaluronic acid can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. By adding moisture to the skin, it helps to fill in the gaps and crevices, giving a smoother appearance to the skin's surface.

Can Help with Volume Enhancement: Hyaluronic acid is sometimes used as a dermal filler because it boosts skin’s volume and promotes facial contours. For example, it can be injected into areas with volume loss, such as the cheeks, lips and nasolabial folds, to create a plumper and more youthful appearance.

Helps to Promote a Healthy Response to Inflammation: Hyaluronic acid has also been shown to help support a normal, healthy response to inflammation.

Is it okay to use hyaluronic acid daily? For most people, yes. Unless you have a negative response to hyaluronic acid or very sensitive skin, it can be beneficial to apply it to 1–2 times per day to clean skin.

However, you should always consult your healthcare professional prior to beginning any new dietary or lifestyle regimen, including the use of hyaluronic acid. 

How to Use Hyaluronic Acid 

How do you help promote your body’’s natural hyaluronic acid production? Hyaluronic acid is not readily available from many dietary sources, with the exception of bone broth. However, the body can produce some hyaluronic acid from the foods we eat, although supplementing with more can typically help in this process. 

A common way to boost hyaluronic acid intake is to take supplements that contain hyaluronic acid, sometimes in combination with collagen, glucosamine and chondroitin (other compounds that help support joint and skin health). For example, you’ll find hyaluronic acid in Ancient Nutrition’s Bone Broth Protein powders that contain chicken bone broth protein concentrate.

Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and protein can also aid in your body’s own hyaluronic acid production.

Chicken-Based Bone Broth: A Source of Hyaluronic Acid 

Does bone broth have hyaluronic acid? Yes. Chicken-based bone broth is a traditional type of stock that naturally contains hyaluronic acid, as well as type 2 collagen, inherent glucosamine and chondroitin, minerals, and other beneficial compounds.

Bone broth is made from simmered animal parts, such as tendons and bones, and usually herbs and vegetables. When the animal parts are simmered, they release compounds into the broth that benefit our bodies in many ways, especially the health of our connective tissues. 

While making bone broth from scratch can take several days, Bone Broth Protein is a convenient way to obtain the same benefits as real broth. In fact, Ancient Nutrition’s Bone Broth Protein is 3X more concentrated protein-wise than homemade bone broth, plus it’s super easy to consume every day. 

Most adults can benefit from 1–3 servings of Bone Broth Protein each day (aim for up to three servings if you’re following a healthy Bone Broth Protein Diet plan). However, you should always read and follow label directions as well as work with your healthcare professional before beginning any new dietary or lifestyle regimen.

Depending on your preference, try sweet or savory Bone Broth Protein flavors such as chocolate, vanilla or tomato basil. Simply stir a scoop into hot or cold water, coffee, a smoothie, or even homemade baked goods.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the human body that supports skin and joint health. It helps to hydrate and plump skin, contributing to healthy skin texture and elasticity. It also supports healthy cartilage and joints. 

What food has the most hyaluronic acid? Chicken-based bone broth does, which provides the same benefits as convenient chicken-based bone broth protein supplements.