Hyaluronic Acid: Why is it in your products?
Katie Howe|17th March 2025
Image description: Hyaluronic acid droplet.
Have you ever stopped, taken a breath, and started to read the (rather lengthy) ingredients list on the back of one of your favourite products? The chances are that if you go and do it for the first time right now, you’ll be in for a bit of shock.
What you thought was a simple face cream or natural moisturiser quickly introduces you to dozens of ingredients whose names sound more akin to chemicals than anything else. One of the more unusual-sounding ingredients you will come across is hyaluronic acid, and that’s what we’re going to be taking a closer look at today.
Keep reading and we’ll guide you through everything from what it is and where it’s used to whether or not it occurs naturally.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance that is great at holding and retaining water. In fact, with just a quarter or a single teaspoon, it can hold more than 10 L of water. When considering the difference in weight and volume between the two liquids, this is a truly impressive feat. But is it useful, healthy, and natural?
The Green Fig approach is all about making sure that you know what you should (and shouldn’t) put into your body, and that means we need to take a closer look at the fine details. If you were to isolate the hyaluronic acid from the rest of the product you’re holding in your hands, you would be looking at a substance that’s best described as gooey and slippery, almost like a natural gel.
Your body makes it so we’re not going to group it with all of the synthetic nasties out there, but it’s certainly interesting to ask why it’s in so many of our products. If the body naturally produces it, and we assume we produce enough of it thanks to evolution, why are we supplementing for it?
Are we supplementing for HA?
Not quite, although it would be easy to make this mistake. Creams that contain different vitamins are supplementing, but the extra HA in there is chiefly performing a subtly different task. Although scientists have found that the human body secretes it in the joints, skin, and even the eyes, they use it to retain moisture so that creams and ointments remain easy to apply. There’s then the added benefit of the extra HA supporting the health and wellness of the skin itself. Ideal when you want to be able to achieve a sense of balance naturally.
Many detailed analyses of HA have shown that it is a natural way to lubricate tissues so that they can move past one another, and that opened the door for innovation in R&D. You only have to look at any of the in-depth scientific studies out there to see that HA has been looked at in detail for decades. This is another tick in the box for anyone who is concerned that what they are putting on their skin is a new-age synthetic that has only been subjected to cursory testing.
Are there different types of HA?
There are a variety of different ways that HA can be industrially processed as part of creating the cream or moisturiser that it is being used in. Certain approved formulations have undergone stringent testing on human skin and these are the variants that you can expect to find in any trusted skincare product. The good news is that everything you will find on our site will provide you with the peace of mind that the HA that may be contained is designed to do good.
If you would like to know more about the wider issue of natural skincare and the products we put onto our skin, we’re always available to offer more insights into natural beauty products.
Now that we’ve covered that, we need to take a closer look at HA to see how it works and specifically what the body uses it for.
What does the body use HA for?
HA occurs naturally and is a specific type of sugar molecule known as glycosaminoglycan. Scientists have found large deposits of the HA molecule in connective tissues, eyes, and joints where it acts as a unique type of lubricant.
Ask a human biologist and they will tell you about how HA binds and retains water (another word for taking a grip of it) in the form of a moisturiser. The benefit of this to the human body is that it provides a spongey cushion and lubricant that helps joints handle shocks and impacts. By preventing pain and injury that would occur if bones were allowed to pound and grind against one another, HA allows the body to keep moving freely year after year.
If you then take a step back and look at the bigger picture, you’ll find HA playing a vital role in holistic skin health as well. HA has already been shown to:
Bind to water molecules in the skin so that different tissue layers are able to retain moisture, replace water losses, and remain hydrated even under intense heat
Help promote a plump and supple appearance thanks to optimal natural hydration that is able to hold its shape for an extended period of time
Promote a more youthful appearance (with the correct dose) so that the skin is able to flourish in a natural way
By acting as a key component of the skin's extracellular matrix, HA performs something of a unique hybrid role. While other substances only help with hydration, scientists have long known that HA simultaneously promotes a stronger skin structure at a cellular level. This is what allows it to make the skin feel supple and look plump without making it look and feel bloated.
Where else is HA found?
The eyes are another location where you are certain to find a natural supply of HA and for good reason. A gel-like material known as the vitreous humour fills the human eyeball and allows it to bend and focus light so that we can see. HA is a key component of this gel and makes sure that the eyes are adequately hydrated and lubricated.
As well as the synovial fluid that provides lubrication at the heart of all of the joints in the body, HA is also present in cartilage and bone marrow. When you consider that the latter is one of the key drivers of the human immune system, you see just how far-reaching HA is in the human body.
Is it safe to put HA in our products?
Generally speaking, HA is considered safe by leading scientists and it can be used on the skin, orally, or topically. However, as with any substance, natural or synthetic, there are always a few caveats that need to be highlighted, namely:
There is no such thing as 100% safety for every human on the planet — there is always a non-zero possibility that someone will have a skin condition that will make them less tolerant of HA
There are some side effects (itchyness and irritation), admittedly both rare and very mild, that everyone should be aware of before taking a product that has been infused with HA
In a very small number of cases, the level of HA that has been added can cause a very mild allergic reaction. In this case, stop using the product immediately and contact a doctor or medical professional without delay
In the interests of transparency and balance, we’re going to finish up by taking a look at the benefits of HA alongside the potential downsides.
The pros and cons of having HA in our products
HA is proven to help with a whole host of different skincare and other holistic health areas, including but not limited to:
Anti-Aging: Enhanced moisture retention will help people of all skin types reduce the signs of fine lines and wrinkles
Moisturing: HA hydrates the skin and the eyes for a smoother, more supple look that can make you feel years younger
Tissue & Joint Health: Reducing inflammation, cushioning cartilage, and soothing pain are all things that HA has been proven to help with
For these reasons, it’s common to find that most serums, creams, and moisturisers have been infused with HA. The key is to find a product that you feel comfortable putting onto your skin by knowing the potential downsides, not to mention taking a look at the other ingredients that are in there.
Here are the key things you need to consider when deciding whether or not you want to put your trust in a new product:
Potential Side Effects: In rare cases, users of HA-infused supplements will report mild redness, itching, and irritated skin where the cream or serum was applied
The Precise Dosage: If you are in doubt about whether your skin will react well to HA, looking for products with lower amounts of it is the best way to start
Medical Recommendations: If you have a specific skin condition that limits what you can put on your skin, we suggest speaking to your local doctor
Everything here is about balance, transparency, and knowing how the human body works and functions. Only then can you make informed decisions about what’s best for your overall health and well-being.
Final thoughts
If you would like to know more about anything you have just read about, please feel free to connect, explore our product inventory, and check out more of our blog. When you want to look after your body the right way, we’re always here to introduce you to the natural way.