If you've ever shopped for skincare, you've almost certainly come across hyaluronic acid.
It's one of the beauty industry's most popular ingredients, found in everything from serums and moisturisers to toners and face masks, all promising to leave your skin feeling smoother and more hydrated.
But while hyaluronic acid is often associated with topical skincare, that's only part of the story.
Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by the body and plays an important role in keeping the skin hydrated.
As we age, our natural levels begin to decline, which is one reason skin can become drier and lose some of its elasticity over time.
That's why hyaluronic acid has become such a popular ingredient in both supplements and skincare.
Let's take a closer look at what hyaluronic acid does, why it's so beneficial for your skin and how it works alongside collagen as part of your daily wellness routine.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance found throughout the body, particularly in the skin, joints and eyes.
Its primary role is to help retain water, keeping tissues hydrated and supporting their normal function.
Around half of the body's hyaluronic acid is found in the skin, where it contributes to hydration and helps keep skin feeling smooth and supple.
Although it's best known as an ingredient in skincare products, hyaluronic acid isn't limited to what you apply to your skin. As it's already produced naturally by the body, it can also be taken as part of a wellness routine to support skin health from within.
Why Does Hyaluronic Acid Matter for Your Skin?
Like collagen, the body's natural production of hyaluronic acid gradually declines with age.
As levels fall, the skin can become drier, lose some of its elasticity and develop more visible fine lines and wrinkles.
That's why hyaluronic acid has become such a popular ingredient in skincare and supplements alike.
While topical products help replenish moisture on the skin's surface, oral supplements offer another way to support hydration as part of your wider wellness routine.
That's why we've included vegan-friendly hyaluronic acid alongside VeCollal® in our liquid collagen. Together, they support healthy-looking skin in complementary ways, with collagen providing structure and hyaluronic acid helping to maintain hydration.
Looking Beyond Your Skincare Routine: Oral vs Topical Hyaluronic Acid
When most people think of hyaluronic acid, they think of a serum sitting on the bathroom shelf.
Topical products certainly have their place, helping to hydrate the skin's surface and leaving it feeling softer and smoother. But skincare is only one piece of the puzzle.
Oral hyaluronic acid works differently. Rather than being applied directly to the skin, it's taken as part of your daily wellness routine to support your body from within.
That's why many people choose to combine both approaches, pairing topical skincare with nutritional support to care for their skin inside and out.
So, Is It Better to Use Collagen or Hyaluronic Acid?
We've talked a lot about how hyaluronic acid helps support skin hydration and elasticity, both of which are important as we age. But these are also benefits we commonly associate with collagen... so is one actually better than the other?
The reality is that collagen and hyaluronic acid aren't competing ingredients. They work in harmony, with each playing a different role in supporting healthy-looking skin.
Collagen provides much of the skin's structural framework, helping to maintain firmness, strength and elasticity. Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, helps the skin maintain its moisture.
Together, they create a powerhouse combination, which is exactly why we've combined VeCollal® with vegan-friendly hyaluronic acid in our liquid collagen.
While collagen provides structure, hyaluronic acid supports hydration, allowing each ingredient to contribute its unique benefits to your daily wellness routine.
Other Ways to Support Healthy Skin
Supporting healthy skin involves much more than using the right products.
Staying well hydrated, eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, getting enough sleep and managing stress can all contribute to skin health.
Protecting your skin from UV damage by wearing SPF each day and following a skincare routine suited to your skin type can also help maintain a healthy-looking complexion.
We have lots of guides to help you achieve healthy, glowing skin on our blog, so why not take a look?
Supporting Your Skin From Within
Healthy skin starts with more than what you apply to the surface. Nourishing your body with the right nutrients can help support hydration, elasticity and overall skin health from within.
Arella's vegan liquid collagen has been carefully formulated to support your skin as part of your everyday wellness routine.
Alongside VeCollal® and a blend of complementary ingredients, it includes vegan-friendly hyaluronic acid to help support skin hydration from within, giving you the benefits of multiple skin-supporting ingredients in one convenient daily supplement.
