Hyaluronic acid for the face: what are the risks and contraindications?
“Is it really possible to achieve youthful, hydrated, and firm skin… without any side effects?” That’s the question many people ask when considering yet another anti-aging cream or the latest skin supplement. Among all skincare ingredients, hyaluronic acid has become a gold standard for anyone seeking a radiant and plump complexion.
More and more people over the age of 35—especially women who are mindful of their well-being—are turning to hyaluronic acid to keep their skin healthy, firm, and glowing. But with its rising popularity come increasing doubts and misconceptions.
How much do we really know about this ingredient? Is it truly safe? Are there any risks or side effects?
In this article, we aim to set the record straight. We’ll bust common myths, explore what the science says, and take a close look at the real contraindications of hyaluronic acid in facial care—especially in relation to product quality and formulation.
Here is what we’ll cover:
- What hyaluronic acid is and why it works so well
- When it’s safe—and when to be cautious
- The difference between natural (endogenous) and external (exogenous) hyaluronic acid
- Scientifically proven benefits
- Key factors to watch for: purity, molecular weight, and biotech sourcing
What Is hyaluronic acid? A true ally for your skin
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a substance naturally produced by the human body. It’s a key molecule in the extracellular matrix (ECM)—the three-dimensional framework that supports cells and gives structure and cohesion to tissues.
Nearly 50% of the body’s hyaluronic acid is found in the skin, particularly in the dermis, where it plays a vital role in keeping the skin hydrated, plump, and elastic. It’s also found in the synovial fluid of joints, the vitreous humor of the eyes, cartilage, and tendons.
The hyaluronic acid produced by our body is known as endogenous or physiological HA. Naturally compatible with the skin, joints, and eyes, it supports the health and function of several tissues in the body.
Exogenous hyaluronic acid: what you need to know about supplements and treatments
When we refer to exogenous hyaluronic acid, we mean the kind used in skincare products, dietary supplements, or injectable fillers. In these forms, its safety and effectiveness depend largely on factors like purity, molecular weight, quality of formulation, and method of administration.
Here are the main types of exogenous HA:
- Oral supplements – Taken by mouth, HA is a large molecule that’s not easily absorbed through the digestive tract. However, hydrolyzed low molecular weight HA (LMW-HA) improves bioavailability, as seen in advanced formulations like OSIDRA.
- Injectable fillers – Widely used in aesthetic medicine to restore volume and smooth wrinkles. These require skilled administration, and any potential side effects are more often due to technique, hygiene, or material quality than the HA itself.
- Topical skincare (serums and creams) – Safe for daily use and well-tolerated. The effectiveness of topical HA depends on its concentration, molecular weight, and the overall quality of the cosmetic formula.
Benefits of hyaluronic acid for the face
Hyaluronic acid is renowned for its exceptional ability to attract and retain moisture: just one gram of HA can hold up to three liters of water. This powerful ideation capacity is the foundation of its many scientifically proven benefits for facial skin.
1.Deep Hydration
Hyaluronic acid delivers deep, long-lasting hydration by binding and retaining significant amounts of water. On the skin’s surface, high molecular weight HA creates a protective barrier that minimizes moisture loss, while lower molecular weight HA penetrates deeper to support hydration at the cellular level.
2.Anti-Aging and Wrinkle-Reducing Action
The hydration provided by HA is key to fighting signs of skin aging. By keeping the skin moisturized and elastic, it helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Moreover, low molecular weight HA (LMW-HA) may support tissue repair and modulate the activity of cells involved in inflammatory processes.
3.Improved Volume and Firmness
Hyaluronic acid also has viscoelastic and plumping properties that restore volume to subcutaneous tissues. Its application can help counteract age-related volume loss, enhancing the firmness of the skin on the face, around the eyes, neck, décolleté, and even the entire body.
4.Enhanced Skin Texture
With its hydrating and regenerative effects, HA contributes to a smoother, more radiant, and even skin texture. Using hyaluronic acid in multiple molecular weights allows it to act across different skin layers—deeply nourishing the lower layers while forming a protective barrier on the surface.
5.Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Healing Properties
Scientific studies show that hyaluronic acid, particularly in its low molecular weight form, may help reduce inflammation and support tissue healing. This suggests potential benefits in treating skin imperfections linked to inflammatory conditions, such as acne.
Advanced Skincare with Roseha Regenerating Face Serum by Eidon Salus is specifically formulated to maximize the benefits of hyaluronic acid in your daily skincare routine.
Its advanced formula features 3D hyaluronic acid in three different molecular weights, allowing it to penetrate multiple layers of the skin. This technology ensures deep hydration of the dermis and hypodermis, while simultaneously creating a protective barrier on the epidermis to lock in moisture.
In addition to HA, Roseha contains three active skin-firming and collagen-boosting peptides, plant stem cells from Vitis vinifera, and glyceric extract of rosehip (Rosa canina).
The biomimetic peptides in Roseha provide a visible plumping effect and help smooth wrinkles and fine lines with a “botox-like” efficacy. Meanwhile, the plant stem cells and rosehip extract offer strong antioxidant, restructuring, and anti-inflammatory action, fighting oxidative stress and nourishing the skin deeply.
Regular use of Roseha is formulated to deliver intense hydration, visible anti-aging and wrinkle-smoothing effects, improved skin firmness and volume, enhanced texture, and soothing anti-inflammatory action. It supports gradual cellular regeneration, promoting a healthier, more radiant, and youthful complexion.
Skineco certification further validates the eco-dermocompatibility of its ingredients—an essential consideration when evaluating the overall quality and safety of skincare formulations.
Hyaluronic Acid side effects: it all depends on quality
Although hyaluronic acid is generally considered safe, being naturally present in the human body; it’s essential to emphasize that the quality of exogenous hyaluronic acid (whether applied topically or taken as a supplement) plays a crucial role in determining both its effectiveness and safety.
Purity, molecular weight, and production processes are key factors in ensuring a high-performance and safe product.
Purity is critical to eliminate contaminants that could potentially trigger unwanted skin reactions.
Molecular weight is another essential aspect, especially if it’s not clearly stated. A very high molecular weight may reduce the skin’s ability to absorb the ingredient, while excessively low molecular weight, when used in high concentrations, may cause inflammation (as highlighted in studies on the biological effects of different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid).
Lastly, the manufacturing process must follow strict standards to preserve the integrity and bioavailability of the molecule.
Eidon Salus place the highest importance on raw material quality, sourcing certified and rigorously tested hyaluronic acid for our products. We also utilize advanced biotechnologies to enhance the absorption of active ingredients—without compromising their natural structure.
To ensure the highest standards in production and quality control, Eidon Salus has earned key certifications, including compliance with FDA Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines—the global gold standard—and ISO 9001 certification, which confirms the quality of our management system on an international level.
These certifications reflect our ongoing commitment to monitoring every aspect of our operational and production processes, with a clear focus on customer satisfaction. Choosing hyaluronic acid-based products from companies that meet such standards offers a greater level of assurance in terms of safety and quality.
How to verify the quality of hyaluronic acid?
To verify the quality of hyaluronic acid (HA), it is essential to consider several factors, starting with its source.
Traditionally, HA could be derived from animal sources, but today, most high-quality HA is produced using biotechnological methods, particularly through bacterial fermentation processes. This biotechnological origin reduces the risk of animal-based contamination and provides a higher level of purity.
Product purity is essential, as even minimal contamination can significantly compromise both the safety and effectiveness of hyaluronic acid.
Modern biotechnology plays a vital role in improving the absorption of exogenous HA. Innovations in extraction and synthesis methods, such as enzymatic processes, enable the production of HA with high purity, while also allowing for different concentration and molecular weight characteristics.
Regarding skin absorption, advanced formulations are designed to enhance the effectiveness of HA in topical applications. Research focuses on optimizing transdermal penetration, and scientific evidence from studies on bioavailability and skin penetration is crucial for assessing the efficacy of these formulations.
A notable example is hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, used in products like Osidra. Hydrolysis is a biological process that uses water to “break down” the HA macromolecule into low molecular weight fragments (LMW-HA). This process makes hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid highly bioavailable, allowing it to be absorbed sublingually and pass through the intestinal barrier.
Roseha also benefits from Eidon Salus’ research, as it features 3D hyaluronic acid with three different molecular weights, designed to act on multiple layers of the skin, optimizing hydration and topical efficacy. Its effectiveness is supported by a careful selection of proven active ingredients and preclinical tests on volunteers, which showed favorable results. For further details, refer to the scientific literature listed on the Roseha product page.
Does hyaluronic acid for the face have any side effects? No.
Hyaluronic acid can be used throughout life. Modern manufacturing standards have reached such a high level that the HA produced in certified facilities is virtually identical 99.99% to the naturally occurring physiological polymer.
Hyaluronic acid is a safe, well-tolerated molecule with no significant contraindications when used topically or as a dietary supplement, provided the product is of high quality and used as directed.
Adverse reactions are extremely rare and typically linked to:
- low-quality formulations
- irritating secondary ingredients
- improper use of injectable fillers in non-medical settings
HA can be safely used long-term and at any age, as it is fully biocompatible. However, it is crucial to choose advanced formulations like those developed by EIDON Salus: Roseha and Osidra are the result of years of research and commitment to skin health.
If you’re looking for hydrated, youthful, and protected skin, without risks or side effects, choose only certified, tested formulas. Experience the combined action of Roseha in your daily skincare routine and Osidra for deep, systemic support. Your skin deserves the best!
