What are the benefits of topical hyaluronic acid (HA) for skin quality and signs of skin aging, and does it enhance the effects of Botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA)?
Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum, a randomized controlled trial (Dermatol Ther 2022, PMID 36200921) — clinical studies indicate that HA is well tolerated and effective as an adjuvant to post-surgical and facial rejuvenation procedures. Scope: over 24 weeks, and the abstract states no limitations.
Source: Dermatol Ther 2022, PMID 36200921 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: low
Dermatol Ther · 2022 · PMID 36200921 · DOI 10.1111/dth.15903
Topical hyaluronic acid improves skin hydration and rejuvenation and can extend the effects of Botulinum toxin type A in reducing wrinkles.
The question
What are the benefits of topical hyaluronic acid (HA) for skin quality and signs of skin aging, and does it enhance the effects of Botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA)?
What they tested
Topical hyaluronic acid (HA) is an important component of the extracellular matrix and is expected to have hydration and anti-aging properties. It may also lengthen the duration of BoNTA's effect in reducing wrinkles.
How they did it
A literature review was conducted using terms such as HA, hyaluronan, topical, dermatology, cosmetic, aging treatment, exposome, and cosmeceuticals. Additionally, results from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) were presented. In the RCT, subjects were randomized into two groups: one received HA-filler serum twice daily for 24 weeks starting 24 hours after a Botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) injection, and the control group received only BoNTA.
What they found
HA is a key ingredient in cosmeceuticals due to its hydration and anti-aging properties (hygroscopic, rheological, and viscoelastic). Clinical studies indicate that HA is well tolerated and effective as an adjuvant to post-surgical and facial rejuvenation procedures. In the RCT, the HA-filler serum lengthened the duration of BoNTA's effect in reducing wrinkles.
What it means
HA-based cosmeceuticals are a noninvasive, effective solution for improving skin hydration and rejuvenation. Topical HA can also extend the duration of BoNTA's wrinkle-reducing effects.
Limitations
The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the literature review or the randomized controlled trial.
Where the published abstract does not list limitations, we say so rather than inventing them. Read the full paper on PubMed before drawing conclusions.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence. |
|---|---|
| Journal | Dermatol Ther |
| Year | 2022 |
| PMID | 36200921 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1111/dth.15903 ↗ |
| 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). What are the benefits of topical hyaluronic acid (HA) for skin quality and signs of skin aging, and does it enhance the effects of Botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA)? [Plain-English summary of Dermatol Ther 2022, PMID 36200921, DOI 10.1111/dth.15903]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s184.html@misc{magellan_s184,
title = {What are the benefits of topical hyaluronic acid (HA) for skin quality and signs of skin aging, and does it enhance the effects of Botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA)?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s184.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 36200921; DOI 10.1111/dth.15903; Dermatol Ther 2022. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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