Hyaluronic acid is a
glycosaminoglycan compound, an alternating chain of the
monosaccharide glucosamine (in
dexter confirmation, like all
amino sugars in the body) and
alderonic acid, present in all glycosamines. It is used in
synovial fluid, a joint lubricator, and
cartilage. An absence of hyaluronic acid in the body can cause significant joint problems.
Excalibre kindly informed me of an additional use for hyaluronic acid. It's apparently a trendy ingredient for those oh-so-multitudinous moisturizers saturating the market. Yet another wonder chemical? Not really. It does little beyond basic moisturization.