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Ingestion of hyaluronans (molecular weights 800 k and 300 k) improves dry skin conditions: a randomized, double blind, controlled study

Chinatsu Kawada, Takushi Yoshida, Hideto Yoshida, Wakako Sakamoto, Wataru Odanaka, Toshihide Sato, Takeshi Yamasaki, Tomoyuki Kanemitsu, Yasunobu Masuda, Osamu Urushibata
Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition 2015 56(1):66-73

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 25834304
PubMed Central
PMC4306664
DOI
10.3164/jcbn.14-81
Competing interests
Nine of ten authors were affiliated with Kewpie Corporation R&D.

Study snapshot

DesignRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Model61 adults with dry skin
Samplen=61
Intervention120 mg/day HA at 800 kDa or 300 kDa versus placebo
Duration6 weeks, with follow-up after supplementation
EndpointsSkin moisture content; Subjective facial aging symptoms; Dermatologist-rated skin condition; Adverse events

What the study showed, in plain terms

This randomized trial compared 800 kDa and 300 kDa hyaluronan at 120 mg/day with placebo in 61 people with dry skin.

Skin moisture increased more in both HA groups during supplementation, and the 300 kDa group retained a significant moisture advantage two weeks after supplementation ended.

No adverse events were attributed to HA, but the study was small and most authors worked for Kewpie Corporation.

Key findings

  • Both 800 kDa and 300 kDa HA at 120 mg/day improved skin moisture during the six-week intervention.
  • The 300 kDa group retained a significant moisture benefit two weeks after supplementation stopped.
  • No HA-related adverse events were identified.

What this study can and cannot tell us

  • Small sample and short treatment period.
  • Strong manufacturer affiliation among authors.
  • Results cannot establish that one molecular weight is universally optimal across populations or outcomes.

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Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology