Hydration, elasticity and eye-area fine lines depending on molecular weight
Clinical trial0.1%60 days76 women aged 30 to 605 molecular weights, versus a control cream
All five creams (50, 130, 300, 800 and 2,000 kDa) improved hydration and elasticity compared with the control. Wrinkle depth dropped significantly only with the 50 and 130 kDa fractions3.
Immediate and lasting hydration with a serum
Clinical trialHyaluronic acid serum6 weeks40 women aged 30 to 65Twice-daily application, no control group
Hydration measured with a corneometer: +134% right after application, +55% at week 6. The dermatologist's assessment also shows gains in smoothness (64%) and bounce (60%)6.
Hydration maintained for 24 hours and less water loss
Clinical trial1% hyaluronic acid with 5% glycerin and centella extract24 hours20 womenRandomized, compared with an untreated control area
Hydration higher than the control area at 1, 8 and 24 hours (+59%, +48%, +29%) and lower water loss at 24 hours. The result comes from the combination of three actives, not from hyaluronic acid alone7.
A high molecular weight serum, open-label study
Clinical trialSerum with high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and peptides8 weeksOpen-label study, no control group
Hydration up at every visit and favorable investigator ratings on fine lines, texture and dryness. With no control group and added peptides, the effect of hyaluronic acid itself is not isolated8.
Penetration: molecular weight decides
LaboratoryEx vivo human skinRaman microspectroscopy3 grades of hyaluronic acid
Fractions of 20 to 300 kDa cross the stratum corneum; those of 1,000 to 1,400 kDa stay at the surface. A 2025 review sets the penetration limit below 100 kDa410.