Hyaluronic acid (oral, liposomal)
Also known as hyaluronan · sodium hyaluronate · HA
- Supports skin hydration
Research profile
Clinically studied11 key studies reviewed
182 human trials & reviews
50,714 papers on PubMed
Clinical evidence
What the research shows
Supports skin hydration
SupportedSeveral RCTs and a small meta-analysis (7 trials) found better skin moisture, elasticity and wrinkle depth with 60–120 mg/day for 6–12 weeks, including a 2025 trial of 150 European adults. PubMed 40911749PubMed 41422283PubMed 34203487PubMed 25834304PubMed 28761365
It was studied in adults with mild knee osteoarthritis (modest, low-certainty evidence) at 80–240 mg/day, and in adults wanting better skin hydration at about 120 mg/day.
The research is clear: ingredients deliver most when your body actually needs them. That’s why AXEL maps your terrain first, then builds a regimen around you.
Discover your terrainSafety & good-to-know
- Across oral HA trials, side effects were rare and mild. PubMed 39886281PubMed 26818459
Every AXEL regimen can be reviewed by a physician in a consultation.
The studies (11)
Oral Hyaluronic Acid Supplement: Efficacy in Skin Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkle Depth Reduction.
Meta-analysis of RCTs · 7 RCTs of oral HA for skin · n = 7 trials · Various (not stated in abstract) · Various
Skin hydration, elasticity and wrinkle depth improved significantly; firmness, wrinkle volume and water loss did not. Small studies with heterogeneity.
Oral Hyaluronic Acid in Osteoarthritis and Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review.
Systematic review · OA (10 studies) and low back pain (1 study) · n = 597 · 30–300 mg/day · 4 weeks to 12 months
9 of 11 studies reported improvements in pain, function or quality of life; side effects were rare. A narrative review without pooled analysis or formal quality grading.
Oral sodium hyaluronate improves skin hydration, barrier function and signs of aging: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 150 healthy adults.
RCT · Healthy Caucasian adults · n = 150 · 60 or 120 mg/day sodium hyaluronate · 12 weeks
120 mg/day improved hydration, elasticity and eye-wrinkle depth and reduced water loss versus placebo; 60 mg/day had smaller effects. The trial was registered retrospectively.
Oral Hyaluronan Relieves Wrinkles and Improves Dry Skin: A 12-Week Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study.
RCT · Healthy Asian adults aged 35–64 · n = 40 · 120 mg/day · 12 weeks
Wrinkles, skin water content, water loss and elasticity all improved versus placebo.
Oral hyaluronan relieves wrinkles: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study over a 12-week period.
RCT · Japanese adults with crow's feet · n = 60 · 120 mg/day · 12 weeks
Wrinkle measures improved more than placebo, significantly from week 8 in the 300 k group. Authors largely from manufacturer Kewpie.
The effects of an oral preparation containing hyaluronic acid (Oralvisc®) on obese knee osteoarthritis patients determined by pain, function, bradykinin, leptin, inflammatory cytokines, and heavy water analyses.
RCT · Overweight adults with knee OA · n = 40 · Oral HA preparation containing other glycosaminoglycans · 3 months
Pain and function improved, and most inflammatory cytokines, leptin and bradykinin in blood and joint fluid fell, versus placebo over 3 months. The product contained hyaluronic acid plus other glycosaminoglycans.
Ingestion of hyaluronans (molecular weights 800 k and 300 k) improves dry skin conditions: a randomized, double blind, controlled study.
RCT · Adults with dry skin · n = 61 · 120 mg/day · 6 weeks
Skin moisture rose more than with placebo for both molecular weights tested.
Oral hyaluronan relieves knee pain: a review.
Review · RCTs 2008–2015 on oral HA and knee pain · n = n/a · Various · Various
Concludes oral HA relieves knee pain and swelling. Most authors are employed by an HA manufacturer (Kewpie).
Full research notesOverview, research in progress and study doses
Overview
Most hyaluronic acid (HA) research concerns injections into the knee, which is a different treatment from swallowing it. For oral HA, about a dozen small trials (mostly 20–60 people, many funded by manufacturers) suggest modest improvements in knee pain at 80–240 mg/day, and several skin trials found better hydration and fewer fine wrinkles at 120 mg/day. Swallowed HA is mostly broken down by gut bacteria, with very little reaching the blood intact. Artro Factor provides 100 mg per serving as labelled, within the range used in joint trials.
Further research
- Supports joint lubrication / knee comfort. A 2024 systematic review of 11 small studies (597 patients, 30–300 mg/day) found better pain and function in most, but many were industry-funded. The first pilot trial (80 mg/day) found no difference from placebo for its main pain outcome, and a 12-month trial (200 mg/day plus exercise) helped only people aged 70 or under. PubMed 39886281PubMed 26818459PubMed 18208600PubMed 23226979PubMed 24899570
Where the research is still limited
- Swallowed HA does not replicate knee injections, and injection trials do not support oral products.
- There is no evidence that it rebuilds cartilage or lubricates joints directly.
- In the first pilot knee trial (80 mg/day), the main pain outcome did not differ from placebo.
Study doses
Joint trials used 80–240 mg/day (30–300 mg in reviews), and skin trials 60–120 mg/day. Artro Factor provides 100 mg per serving as labelled, within both ranges.