Does topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA) effectively treat xerosis cutis (dry skin) in the elderly compared to high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMWHA) or a vehicle?
Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum, a randomized controlled trial (Arch Dermatol Res 2024, PMID 38829483) — after four weeks, the LMWHA-treated area showed greater SCap values (56.37 AU) compared to HMWHA (52.37 AU, p = 0.004) and vehicle (49.01 AU, p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in TEWL and SRRC scores across all groups, and no side effects were reported.
Source: Arch Dermatol Res 2024, PMID 38829483 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: high
Arch Dermatol Res · 2024 · PMID 38829483 · DOI 10.1007/s00403-024-03003-2
Topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid significantly improves skin hydration in elderly individuals with dry skin compared to high molecular weight hyaluronic acid or a vehicle.
The question
Does topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA) effectively treat xerosis cutis (dry skin) in the elderly compared to high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMWHA) or a vehicle?
What they tested
Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA) will be more effective in replenishing skin hydration in aging skin compared to High Molecular Weight HA (HMWHA) due to its ability to penetrate the stratum corneum.
How they did it
A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted on 36 nursing home residents in Jakarta, aged 60-80 years, diagnosed with dry skin. Participants applied three distinct, randomized moisturizing lotions (LMWHA, HMWHA, or vehicle) to three separate sites on their legs. Skin capacitance (SCap), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and specified symptom sum score (SRRC) were measured at weeks 0, 2, and 4.
What they found
After four weeks, the LMWHA-treated area showed greater SCap values (56.37 AU) compared to HMWHA (52.37 AU, p = 0.004) and vehicle (49.01 AU, p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in TEWL and SRRC scores across all groups, and no side effects were reported.
| LMWHA | 56.37 | |
|---|---|---|
| HMWHA | 52.37 | |
| Vehicle | 49.01 |
Skin capacitance values (in arbitrary units, AU) after four weeks of treatment with low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA), high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMWHA), or vehicle.
What it means
The application of a moisturizer containing LMWHA significantly improved skin hydration in the dry skin of elderly individuals compared to moisturizers containing HMWHA and vehicle, with similar safety profiles.
Limitations
The study was conducted on a specific population (nursing home residents in Jakarta) and focused on leg application, which may limit generalizability. The abstract does not mention other limitations.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Effectiveness of topical hyaluronic acid in xerosis cutis treatment in elderly: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Journal | Arch Dermatol Res |
| Year | 2024 |
| PMID | 38829483 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1007/s00403-024-03003-2 ↗ |
| Topic | Skin, hair & photoaging |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
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Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
Multiple randomized and controlled clinical studies of topical HA formulations report significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight HA associated with reduced wrinkle depth; HA serums have also improved skin surface topography and measured HA content in treated skin.
Hyaluronic acid (HA, hyaluronan) is a glycosaminoglycan and a major component of the skin's…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). Does topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA) effectively treat xerosis cutis (dry skin) in the elderly compared to high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMWHA) or a vehicle? [Plain-English summary of Arch Dermatol Res 2024, PMID 38829483, DOI 10.1007/s00403-024-03003-2]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38829483.html@misc{magellan_d38829483,
title = {Does topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA) effectively treat xerosis cutis (dry skin) in the elderly compared to high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMWHA) or a vehicle?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38829483.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 38829483; DOI 10.1007/s00403-024-03003-2; Arch Dermatol Res 2024. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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