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What are the Pros and Cons of Oral Hyaluronic Acid?

By Rebekah Worsham
Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 67,051
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Aging is a fact of life that people cannot avoid. With thousands of products on the market that claim to turn back the clock on a person's appearance, it can be difficult to know which products actually work and which products' claims are too good to be true. One popular product is oral hyaluronic acid supplements. Described as a Fountain of Youth by devoted users, these supplements are typically taken in pill form and claim to support healthy joints and vision, and improve the appearance of the skin and hair. Like any other product, there are pros and cons associated with use of the product, and those factors could help a person decide whether oral hyaluronic acid supplements are right for him or her.

According to research and independent investigations, a diet rich in oral hyaluronic acid appears to improve the look of skin, help increase longevity and improve general health. Hyaluronic acid also has been shown to reduce pain, with injections of hyaluronic acid proving more effective than oral pain medications in the relief of discomforts such as knee pain. Supplements containing this substance have been shown to add moisture to the skin and to leave the skin looking smoother and feeling softer to the touch.

At the same time, oral hyaluronic acid supplements are not a cure-all and cannot work alone. Some scientists back the benefits of hyaluronic acid in injection form but say absorption issues make the oral supplement form relatively ineffective. Even when taking a supplement, a traditional skin care regime including frequent toning and moisturizing will still need to be followed to improve the look of the skin. Another drawback is that the ingestion of hyaluronic acid in excessive amounts has been linked to stomach discomfort. No testing has been done to show the effects of hyaluronic acid on pregnant or breastfeeding women, so they should discuss the risks of use with their doctor before beginning to take the supplements.

The bottom line is that, while oral hyaluronic acid has been shown to be a safe and effective supplement that can be used to improve the appearance of one's skin, the risks should be greatly weighed before use. Everyone's body is different and reacts to even the best of products differently. As with any medication or supplement, it is best to discuss its benefits and risks with a doctor before beginning use to avoid potential drug interactions or concerns.

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Discussion Comments
By anon1002866 — On Mar 06, 2020

Ive been into nutrition since I was 19, yep, a health freak. I'm a guy and I still want to mostly feel great and look good, I'm now 68, seriously look 45-50. I've been taking MSM for years, which is the building block for skin, tendons, ligaments, bones and probably more than that. Zero arthritis, and I move like a young man.

I'm watching my mates age, and they ask what's with me. I tell them, but they just live their lifestyle of drinking, fried food, meat every day etc. Making my mind up at an early age paid off. My wife tells me I gave her 10-plus years after our marriage 25 years ago. because she saw my results.

By anon1001950 — On Aug 02, 2019

Be careful about taking anything with estrogen. Cancer needs two things to thrive: sugar and estrogen.

By anon992742 — On Sep 28, 2015

Who the heck gets age spots at 30? That's very young to be getting that. I'm 32 and look about 22. I have clear skin and no wrinkles, no sagging, and I'm all natural and don't believe in Botox. I take HA and I get stomach pain and acidity in stomach. I don't care, though. I'm going to keep taking it. I hate getting older, but if I look young, it doesn't bother me so much.

By anon346026 — On Aug 24, 2013

I started taking Schiff Move Free instead of my usual Glucosamine/Chondrotin supplement. Bad decision! My hands and feet are swollen, tingly and aching. Plus I have red splotches on my arms and ankles. It happened about two weeks after getting the hyaluronic in my system. Wonder how long it takes to get rid of these side effects?

By anon336933 — On Jun 01, 2013

Studies prove that Hyaluronic Acid absorbs well. Just make sure you buy the small molecule HA since it absorbs even better and take it on empty stomach because of stomach acid. I use the biocell kind.

As far as bloated stomach, you may have intestinal problems unrelated to HA. I'd take some AMP (Aloe Muciliginous Polysaccharide) for that.

By Perdido — On Jan 01, 2012

@StarJo – I wish it had done all that for me. I'm forty-eight, and I feel like it. The hyaluronic acid supplements did do some good things for me, but they didn't revive my whole aging body.

One thing I did notice was that my hair got healthier after I started taking the supplements. Before, it had been somewhat frizzy and brittle. After I had the acid in my system, it began to feel smoother and silkier, and it developed a luster it lacked before.

Also, I didn't have to use my facial moisturizer as often. I used to have dry, flaky skin, but it feels much better now.

However, my joints still ache, and I still have to wear glasses and use moisturizing eye drops from time to time. The improvements I have seen in my skin and hair are enough to make me keep taking it, but I think that I have seen the limit to its benefits.

By StarJo — On Dec 31, 2011

I have been taking oral hyaluronic acid for two years now, and I am very happy with the results. I'm forty-two, but I feel like I'm twenty-eight.

The main thing it does is moisturize your entire body. It lubricates your joints, moisturizes your skin from the inside out, and keeps your eyes from feeling dry.

It takes care of all your body parts at once. Rather than having to buy a moisturizer for my face, a lotion for my body, arthritis medicine for my joints, and eye drops for my eyes, I can just take this one little pill daily.

By Oceana — On Dec 30, 2011

@orangey03 – You may not be without hope. I recently heard a nutritionist talking about how you can get hyaluronic acid from foods.

She said that one of the best ways to get hyaluronic acid is by making chicken soup by using the feet, legs, and tendons of the bird. This sounds kind of disgusting, but the soup will just taste like chicken.

Also, you can eat soy products and drink red wine to increase your estrogen levels. She said that estrogen helps your body make more hyaluronic acid. Soy milk and tofu are good choices.

By orangey03 — On Dec 29, 2011

Once I turned thirty, I started taking oral hyaluronic acid. I couldn't deal with the wrinkles and age spots that had begun to emerge, and I was hoping that the hype around this supplement was true.

After my first dose, my stomach started to hurt. I felt really bloated, as though I had trapped gas. I tried taking gas relief medicine, but it didn't help.

I didn't want to believe that the supplements were causing my pain, though I knew they probably were. When the pain lingered for another day, I had to stop taking the oral hyaluronic acid.

So, I will never know if it could have worked for me or not. I guess I am just meant to grow old gracefully.

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