Does hyaluronic acid on your skin really help against dryness and wrinkles?
Hyaluronic acid on your skin genuinely helps against dryness. Injections work best against wrinkles. A pill or powder adds little if you are already taking collagen.
Hyaluronic acid in creams and serums shows better moisture retention and fewer visible wrinkles in several studies. One important caveat: one of those studies had an author employed by L'Oréal, the manufacturer of the product being tested. That is a serious conflict of interest.
Injections have the strongest support. In a study of 146 participants, wrinkles on the face, neck and chest area decreased noticeably after a course of injections. The improvement was clear at day 75 and day 120 compared with using a cream alone. Side effects were mild and disappeared within 48 hours. That study was funded by the manufacturer of the product used.
For hyaluronic acid as a supplement the picture is more nuanced. Many studies combined show improvements in moisture levels, suppleness and wrinkle depth, but other outcomes were not convincing. The researchers themselves warn that the groups are small and the studies vary widely.
Are you combining collagen with vitamin C? Then oral hyaluronic acid adds nothing to that. In a study of 87 women over 16 weeks, collagen with vitamin C noticeably improved the skin, but adding hyaluronic acid provided no extra benefit.
Based on one analysis of seven controlled studies (oral hyaluronic acid), three controlled studies in people looking at injectable and topical applications, one literature overview with possible commercial bias (author employed by L'Oréal), one small split-face study (27 participants, PMID 32248707) and one retracted review (excluded). One study was funded by manufacturer FILLMED.
Does drinking lots of water really help against dry skin and wrinkles?
Drinking more water has no proven effect on wrinkles and does very little for dry skin. A moisturising cream is a better choice, and make sure you are not chronically underhydrated for your overall health.
What really helps against skin ageing?
Using sunscreen every day is the best-supported way to slow skin ageing, complemented by not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation and getting enough sleep. Cosmetic options such as thread lifts and honey in creams have a weaker or not yet sufficiently proven basis and call for a careful weighing of the risks.
Do AHAs or BHAs really help against wrinkles and blemishes?
Both AHA (glycolic acid) and BHA (salicylic acid) demonstrably help with acne, blemishes and, to a lesser extent, wrinkles, although results vary from person to person. For acne, salicylic acid has the strongest backing, especially for people with darker skin.
Does resveratrol in skin cream actually do anything?
Resveratrol has a demonstrated biological effect, but in ordinary creams the compound breaks down quickly, leaving little active ingredient by the time you apply it. Look for products with encapsulated formulations, as these handle the stability problem more effectively.
Does retinol help against wrinkles?
Retinol demonstrably works against wrinkles and improves skin texture, although tretinoin is more powerful for those who can or want to obtain a prescription; people troubled by irritation may consider bakuchiol as an equally effective alternative based on one small study.
Do collagen supplements work against skin ageing?
Collagen supplements show positive effects in many studies, but those effects come almost entirely from manufacturer-funded research. Independent evidence is still lacking, so it is wise to keep expectations in check until more independent research becomes available.