Hyaluronic acidAre hyaluronic acid pills or creams better for skin?
Updated 9 Nov 2026
Short answer
No trial found in PubMed searches for this page compared the two. Both have small trials behind them.[1][2]
- Pills: a 2025 meta-analysis of 7 trials found better hydration, elasticity and wrinkle depth than with placebo.[1]
- Creams: in 76 women, creams with 0.1% hyaluronic acid used twice a day for 60 days improved hydration and elasticity around the eyes. Only creams with small molecules (50 and 130 kDa) reduced wrinkle depth.[2]
Sources (2)
- Oral Hyaluronic Acid Supplement: Efficacy in Skin Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkle Depth Reduction. Amin P, Sarabi A, Choe S, Scott S, Suh S, Mesinkovska NA J Drugs Dermatol, 2025. PMID 40911749
- Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment. Pavicic T, Gauglitz GG, Lersch P, Schwach-Abdellaoui K, Malle B, Korting HC, et al. J Drugs Dermatol, 2011. PMID 22052267
More about hyaluronic acid
What is hyaluronic acid?Are hyaluronic acid supplements the same as hyaluronic acid injections?Does hyaluronic acid work?How long does hyaluronic acid take to work?Is hyaluronic acid safe?Do hyaluronic acid supplements improve skin?For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.