Taking hyaluronan by mouth might help your skin make more of its own hyaluronan and boost skin cell growth, according to lab and animal studies.

When mice eat hyaluronan, it’s probably not the whole molecule that helps their skin and joints—it’s the smaller pieces it breaks down into that do the work.

Taking hyaluronic acid by mouth might help keep your skin more hydrated, especially if you're Chinese or have mixed heritage, but the studies so far aren't very reliable.

People who swallow hyaluronic acid supplements—whether they’re big or small molecules—tend to have moister skin, which suggests the size of the molecule doesn’t matter for this effect.

Taking hyaluronic acid pills might trick your skin cells into making more of their own hyaluronic acid and collagen by sending signals from your gut, which could help your skin look healthier.

When mice swallow hyaluronan, almost none of it gets into their bloodstream whole—just a tiny bit—so any effects they feel probably come from gut bacteria breaking it down, not from the original substance.