Hyaluronic Acid Can Completely Rejuvenate Your Skin, Here are the Best Ones to Try

woman using facial serum

By Dr. Mira, founder and owner of Rosemira Organics


Hyaluronic acid has been trending everywhere lately, and for good reason. It’s long been a hidden skin care secret for its benefits.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acidĀ is a sugar naturally present in the human body, which can bind and retain water molecules. It is found in the highest concentrations in the eyes, joint fluids, and skin. It is naturally made in our body but its production decreases with age. Its main function and the one it is most known for is to draw moisture to areas of the body where lubrication is important. It helps speeds up healing and alleviate arthritic pain. It is also lubricating for the nerves, hair, skin and eyes, improves cellular communication, and promotes collagen production.

But the main function everyone is talking about when it comes to Hyaluronic Acid and the skin is moisture. HA can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Let us look at why moisture is so important for the body and skin.

What are the benefits of water intake for the skin?Ā 

Our body is comprised mainly of water and requires sufficient hydration to survive — 3-5 days is the limit people can live without water before they die of dehydration. The body needs water for all metabolic processes. Since our interest is skin, here are the numerous benefits to the skin when drinking ample amounts of water.

  • Wrinkles: Drinking water helps the skin maintain moisture, which increases elasticity and smooths the appearance of wrinkles.
  • Improved Complexion: When water flushes toxins from the body, the skin benefits from better nutrient absorption, which in turn helps heal conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Increasing your amount of water intake by 2 cups a day stimulates blood flow to the skin and improves complexion.
  • Reduces Puffiness: When the body is dehydrated, it retains water which leads to puffiness. Drinking enough water reduces the incidence of puffiness in the face and specifically under the eyes.
  • Faster Healing: Drinking water speeds up the process of healing from sunburns, ulcers and wounds.
  • Clearing adult acne: As many as 50% of adults ages 20-40 suffer from adult acne. Drinking water flushes toxins from the skin, shrinks pores so they arenā€™t as likely to clog, and reduces the incidence of acne breakouts.
  • pH Balance: Drinking water balances skin pH levels for healthier skin.
  • Tighter skin: When sagging occurs as the result of weight loss or aging, drinking water improves skin elasticity along the jawline, stomach, arms and legs.
  • Slows Aging: Drinking enough water keeps the skin plumper, which slows down the aging process and the formation of new wrinkles. Plump skin also smooths the appearance of existing wrinkles.

Basically, increasing water intake is the simplest, highly effective habit we can incorporate into our daily routine for overall healthy skin.

How hyaluronic acid attracts and retains moisture

Drinking water isn’t all we need to do to protect the skin from the effects of aging. Anything that increases moisture to the deeper layers of the skin will assist in the skinā€™s ability to delay the appearance of wrinkles and sagging. One of those topical applications of water to the skin are products containing hyaluronic acid. You can say it acts like a drink of water for your skin and delivers all the same benefits enumerated earlier.Ā 

While hyaluronic acid is considered a miracle ingredient, its large molecular structure–the only form of hyaluronic acid available up to several years ago, is unable to penetrate the skin for long-term results. The good news is that hyaluronic acid has a counterpart in the form of a salt– sodium hyaluronate. They are both referred to as hyaluronic acid, but with advanced bio-fermentation processes, labs have the capability to produce sodium hyaluronate in various molecular sizes and weights, each demonstrating different penetrative abilities and benefits to the skin.Ā 

By drawing and retaining moisture HA has a significant effect on the skin when provided in the form of a serum or moisturizing cream, including:

  • It moisturizes and plumps dry skin
  • Reduces the appearance of wrinklesĀ 
  • Tightens and Firms sagging skin
  • Improves Complexion by promoting cellular renewalĀ 
  • Prevents adult acne breakouts
  • Protects skin from environmental stressors

But moisture is not the only benefit hyaluronic acid provides the skin. Lesser discussed benefits that promote anti-aging are:

  • New research reveals it has antioxidant properties and defends against free radicals, slowing down skin aging
  • Helps skin tone appear more uniform and reduces the appearance of pigmentation
  • Improved photo-aging and sun damage
  • Aids in the synthesis of collagen

Plant or animal-based hyaluronic acid: What’s the difference?

Up until the 1990s, all hyaluronic acid was extracted from rooster combs. The rooster-comb-based extraction process gradually faced questioning over the use of animal-derived components in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

An alternative plant-based source was developed through lab-created microbial fermentation. Plant-sourced starches and sugars are fermented with certain bacterial strains to transform the sugars into sodium hyaluronate of various molecular weights which are ideal for skin care purposes.

Fortunately, the most common way to source hyaluronic acid is through microbial fermentation. It is the more cost-effective manufacturing method, is more ethical and more eco-friendly since it produces less environmental pollution. It is still however utilizing bacterial fermentation. Most natural, organic, and vegan skin care lines use only what they term plant-based hyaluronic acid in their products while animal-based hyaluronic acid is still commonly used in supplements and injections.

Are Senna Seeds the vegan answer to hyaluronic acid?

Numerous organic and vegan skincare companies claim that recent developments in biotechnology have allowed for botanical sourcing of hyaluronic acid from the seeds of the Indian Senna plant.Ā  Their claim is that the Senna plant (Cassia Angustifolia) is the only true vegan source of hyaluronic acid and the only effective form. Senna-derived hyaluronic acid is claimed to deliver 4 times longer hydration than one sourced through microbial fermentation.

Several voices within the scientific community and skin care industry contradict this information. According to these sources the polysaccharides from the Senna plant are not actually hyaluronic acid, nor are they able to mimic the action of hyaluronic acid. They also claim that the tests performed to prove that the Cassia plant is indeed the best and only source of vegan hyaluronic acid were not properly controlled independent studies, and since they are not published on recognized reference websites are therefore not proven.

Similar controversy has existed throughout the history of the scientific establishment and the herbal community and will most likely not be resolved anytime soon. Be that as it may, there have been numerous properly conducted scientific studies on the medicinal and cosmetic value of hyaluronic acid as a naturally occurring polysaccharide,Ā  and those are not being contested.

Which is better? Larger or smaller molecular-weight

With its ability to penetrate the skin more readily, products with the smaller molecular- weight Sodium Hyaluronate replenish the skinā€™s moisture barrier, smooth the appearance of wrinkles and promote a firmer appearance, for longer-term results.Ā 

Products with the higher molecular size of hyaluronic acid do not penetrate the skin, instead, they form a protective film on the skinā€™s surface, where hyaluronic acid draws in moisture to boost hydration. Because its hydrating power is focused on the surface of the skin, it lends the skin an instantly fresh look. This would be used in products where you want to see a more immediate effect, even if temporary.

If you want long-term results the smaller molecular weight is the key. For more immediate effects the larger molecule is the one that delivers. Many companies now use several varied sizes in one product for dual results.

How much hyaluronic acid is enough for my skin?

As with any ingredient, hyaluronic acid must be delivered in a solution, and for best results, the rest of the ingredients in the formula should enhance its action.

The suggested concentration and industry standard is 1-2%.Ā 

Hyaluronic acid does not come in pure form but in a solution, so whenever you see a serum advertised as having 75% hyaluronic acid, it isnā€™t possible. Additionally, if a product has more than 4% sodium hyaluronate, it can dry the skin achieving the opposite results.

Ultimately a reasonable percentage of sodium hyaluronate and a stellar list of supportive ingredients will determine the quality of the product and the results it will deliver. Also, make sure to look for a product with hyaluronic acid in several different molecular weights.Ā 

Fortunately, there are no known side effects of using hyaluronic acid. It is often used as a filler, and as such, it can be associated with reactions, but those are usually seen from the injection itself.Ā 

Here are some of our favorite hyaluronic acid products

1. Rosemira Hyaluronic Acid Serum Collagen & Moisture Boost

Rosemira Hyaluronic Acid Serum Collagen & Moisture Boost | 87.00 |
Price : 87.00

It is lightweight, and you can literally feel the hydration being absorbed deep into the skin. Itā€™s supported in a solution of water and Aloe Vera gel -- working together to promote collagen production, and the delicate scent of a beautiful Jasmine is an added treat.

Shop Rosemira Hyaluronic Acid Serum Collagen & Moisture Boost

2. Asterwood Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Asterwood Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum | 28.90 |
Price : 28.90

Its formula works to even skin tone and brighten the complexion while boosting moisture. It's crafted free of oils, fragrances, and is vegan and organic. Don't believe us? Check out on of their 1,300 5-star reviews.

Shop Asterwood Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum

3. Hydration Boost Concentrate by Josh Rosenbrook

Hydration Boost Concentrate by Josh Rosenbrook | 35.00 |
Price : 35.00

A botanical hyaluronic acid and phytonutrient oil-free serum. It's great for most skin types and works to increase skin hydration and rejuvenate the skin's appearance.

Shop Hydration Boost Concentrate by Josh Rosenbrook

4. OSEA Malibu Hyaluronic Sea Serum

OSEA Malibu Hyaluronic Sea Serum | 88.00 |
Price : 88.00

A potent serum that absorbs quickly into the skin, OSEA Malibu's Sea Serum smooths the appearance of fine lines and boosts moisture. It's a new formula that's powered by seaweed and snow mushroom.

Shop OSEA Malibu Hyaluronic Sea Serum

5. Rosemira Pearly Eyes Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream

Rosemira Pearly Eyes Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream | 87.00 |
Price : 87.00

Eyes are one of the first places to start to see signs of aging, often from a lack of moisture in the delicate area. This is a potent hydration booster that visibly revives the look of the eyes.

Shop Rosemira Pearly Eyes Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream