Hyaluronic acid

Are hyaluronic acid supplements the same as hyaluronic acid injections?

Updated 9 Nov 2026

Short answer

No. A supplement is swallowed. In mice, gut bacteria cut swallowed hyaluronic acid into small pieces, and only about 0.2% was absorbed.[1] An injection puts hyaluronic acid straight into the knee joint[2] or, as a filler, into folds of the face.[3]

Most studies of hyaluronic acid tested injections. Knee injections alone were tested in 169 trials.[4] Their results do not show what a supplement does. Supplements were tested in far fewer trials, such as the 7 skin trials of a 2025 meta-analysis.[5]

Sources (5)

  1. Molecular weight and gut microbiota determine the bioavailability of orally administered hyaluronic acid. Šimek M, Turková K, Schwarzer M, Nešporová K, Kubala L, Hermannová M, et al. Carbohydr Polym, 2023. PMID 37182970
  2. Viscosupplementation for osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rutjes AW, Jüni P, da Costa BR, Trelle S, Nüesch E, Reichenbach S Ann Intern Med, 2012. PMID 22868835
  3. Juvéderm injectable gel: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized study of safety and effectiveness. Pinsky MA, Thomas JA, Murphy DK, Walker PS Aesthet Surg J, 2008. PMID 19083502
  4. Viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis. Pereira TV, Jüni P, Saadat P, Xing D, Yao L, Bobos P, et al. BMJ, 2022. PMID 36333100
  5. 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

More about hyaluronic acid

What is hyaluronic acid?Does hyaluronic acid work?How long does hyaluronic acid take to work?Is hyaluronic acid safe?Do hyaluronic acid supplements improve skin?Do hyaluronic acid supplements help knee pain?

For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.