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Hyaluronic acid is a large polysaccharide found in many tissues, especially cartilage and synovial fluid. It is often supplemented for skin and joint health, and that’s how I see it being advertised around me. I’ve always suffered from acne, and I’ve been recommended hyaluronic acid, but I had never looked into it.
To give you the short answer, Hyaluronic acid that is sourced from bacterial fermentation is always vegan, but manufacturers may occasionally source it from rooster combs or other animal tissues, although it’s more expensive.
So, if you’re buying something with hyaluronic acid, be sure it says it’s vegan on the label or you might want to contact the manufacturer to be sure.
What Exactly Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in many places in nature, prized for its ability to lubricate and retain moisture, making it a valuable ingredient for a variety of applications.
Traditionally, hyaluronic acid has been obtained from animal sources, like rooster combs, but this method has its drawbacks. It’s hard to control, expensive, and raises obviously ethical concerns.
So, scientists have explored a new approach: producing hyaluronic acid using microbes, similar to how we might brew beer. This method is more manageable, cost-effective, and doesn’t involve animals, addressing many of the concerns of the traditional method. [1, 2]
However, this microbial process isn’t without its own challenges.
For instance, the substance itself is highly viscous, making it tough to mix and transfer oxygen, which can limit production. Plus, the microbes sometimes compete for resources needed for their own growth and for producing hyaluronic acid.
There’s also a by-product, lactic acid, which, in large amounts, can interfere with the growth of the microbes and the production of hyaluronic acid.
With that being said, microbes are still the most cost-effective option, and for brands that happen to invest in hyaluronic acid, that’s typically the way to go— unless there’s a big trade-off in terms of quality— which doesn’t seem to be the case here.
Brands That Sell Vegan Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid can be vegan, as long as you’re getting it from the right brands, or in other words, brands that properly label their products as being vegan-friendly.
And for ingredients whose source is a bit more tricky to guess, looking for a vegan label is the way to go, unless you’re open to contacting the manufacturer to get your answer— which from my experience, tends to take a while because sometimes it feels like I’m interacting with a bot, seriously.
Anyway, there are several brands that sell vegan-friendly hyaluronic acid, so let me mention a few:
- The Ordinary
- Drunk Elephant
- Glow Recipe
- First Aid Beauty
- The INKEY List
- Typology
- FaceGym
- bareMinerals
- Farmacy
- Biossance
Above I do not only mention the brand, but if you click on the links, it’ll lead you to the hyaluronic acid product sold by the brand (and yes, they’re affiliate links).
But Should You Actually Take Hyaluronic Acid?
It’s true that hyaluronic acid is incredibly popular (and the same can be said about so many other things in the cosmetics industry, but does it really work in terms of skin?
I’m sorry to break it to you, but there’s little evidence to prove it does, and there’s a really great article about it from Simplicite. [3]
In this piece I referenced, there’s a discussion about the potential limitations of HA in skincare.
It seems that while our skin naturally contains HA that boasts hydration benefits and supports collagen production, these merits might not extend to its manufactured counterpart.
As we age and our innate HA diminishes, the article questions if synthetic alternatives truly fill the void.
One significant point of contention is the absorption rate of HA-based products, particularly due to HA’s large molecular structure, which might not effectively penetrate the skin.
Moreover, while there are claims about the improved absorption of hydrolyzed HA, it’s worth noting that some of these studies could be influenced by vested interests.
Interestingly, rather than hydrating, HA might actually draw moisture away from the skin. This has led to recommendations to apply occlusives over HA to retain moisture.
The piece culminates by suggesting a turn towards skincare products rooted in authentic plant-derived nutrients. These, it suggests, might provide genuine hydration without the potential drawbacks of HA.
But hey, you’ve gotta consider multiple perspectives and conduct thorough research when making skincare choices.
That’s what I try to do, and while I sometimes shoot myself in the foot, I feel like having this type of balanced approach keeps me a bit more sane.
Here’s a Quick Recap
To wrap things up, I believe that hyaluronic acid is likely sourced from bacteria because extracting it from rooster combs can be more expensive.
If I’m ever unsure, I tend to lean towards products labeled ‘vegan’, unless I feel like reaching out to manufacturers for more clarity.
Additionally, I’ve stumbled upon data suggesting that while hyaluronic acid might show immediate benefits, its long-term effects on the skin might not be as positive.
So, I’d always recommend doing your own research before making any purchase. It’s essential to remember that some studies, especially in high-profit industries, may have hidden agendas. I’m always wary of studies touting the benefits of hyaluronic acid if there’s a potential conflict of interest in their funding.
Editor’s note: The content on this website is meant to be informative, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The content of our articles is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always best to speak with your doctor or a certified medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, or trying a new supplement.
References:
1. Hindawi Publishing Corporation, International Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry, Volume 2013, Article ID 624967, 14 pages.
2. Chong BF, Blank LM, Mclaughlin R, Nielsen LK. Microbial hyaluronic acid production. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2005 Jan;66(4):341-51. doi: 10.1007/s00253-004-1774-4. Epub 2004 Nov 13. PMID: 15599518.
3. Simplicité, Australian Natural Skincare, An alternative to ‘vegan’ hyaluronic acid.
