Skin ageing is characterised by progressive alterations in the extracellular matrix, including changes in collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, resulting in reduced hydration, elasticity and regenerative capacity. Amino acids are fundamental substrates for protein synthesis and tissue repair, with amino acids such as glycine, proline and lysine having particular relevance to collagen synthesis. Frequently in combination with non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid, amino acids are delivered intradermally with the aim of improving the local environment for fibroblast activity and extracellular-matrix renewal.
In a multicentre randomised controlled study [1], Yang et al. (2026) evaluated an intradermal sodium hyaluronate formulation containing glycine, proline, leucine and lysine in 456 adults with signs of facial skin ageing. Participants receiving three monthly treatments demonstrated significantly greater aesthetic improvement than untreated controls, together with improvements in skin hydration and elasticity that remained evident for up to three months following treatment [1]. These findings support the concept that amino-acid-enriched injectable formulations, specifically a formulation containing sodium hyaluronate with glycine, proline, leucine and lysine, may act as skin biostimulators rather than simply providing temporary volumisation [1].
Supporting clinical evidence has also been reported for HA formulations containing the same four core amino acids together with alanine and valine. In a study focusing on the delicate eye area, Kabakci et al. found significant improvements in periorbital wrinkles and dark-circle scores following three sessions of an injectable HA and amino-acid treatment [2]. A later study by the same research group reported significant improvements in skin hydration and several objective facial measurements following treatment with high-molecular-weight HA combined with glycine, proline, leucine, lysine, alanine and valine [3].
Other studies have explored amino acids in combination with HA and additional skin-supporting ingredients. Siquier-Dameto et al. (2024), for example, reported increases in skin hydration, viscoelasticity, density and microcirculation following a course of three intradermal treatments [4]. Earlier clinical research by Sparavigna and Orlandini also evaluated an injectable low-molecular-weight HA and amino-acid formulation in 25 women with facial photoageing [5]. Following four microinjection sessions, improvements were reported in wrinkle severity, superficial and deep hydration, elasticity and other clinical measures, with some improvements remaining evident during the six-month follow-up period [5]. However, this was a small, single-centre, open-label study without an untreated or active comparator group, limiting the strength of the conclusions that can be drawn [5].
Collectively, these findings provide a clinical basis for the use and further investigation of commercially available amino acid-containing regenerative skin boosters, including Rejuran Skin Booster, Sunekos and Celora Vita. These formulations include glycine, proline, leucine and lysine alongside hyaluronic acid and/or other bioactive components, with the aim of supporting skin hydration, extracellular-matrix remodelling and rejuvenation.
What gives Rejuran Skin Booster an added advantage is the addition of c-PDRN (hydrolysed DNA). This gives it a broader regenerative profile, combining hydration and amino-acid support with an additional ingredient associated with skin repair and tissue regeneration. This makes Rejuran Skin Booster a more comprehensive biostimulatory formulation than amino acid and HA-only treatments.
| Product | Amino acids | Non-cross-linked Hyaluronic acid | Other key active | What makes it different |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rejuran Skin Booster | Glycine, Proline, Leucine, Lysine | ✓ type not publicly specified | c-PDRN | 4 amino acids + HA + c-PDRN |
| Sunekos 200 | Glycine, Proline, Leucine, Lysine, Valine, Alanine | ✓ 200kDa, 10mg/mL | — | 6-amino-acid blend + HA |
| Celora Vita | Glycine, Proline, Leucine, Lysine, Valine, Alanine, Isoleucine, Serine, Cysteine | ✓ Low-molecular-weight, 1mg/mL | — | 9 amino acids + HA |
References
[1] Yang R, Zhang Y, Zhao H, Cai H, Shen J, Ma J, et al. Efficacy and safety of a novel sodium hyaluronate composite solution via mesotherapy for facial rejuvenation: a multicenter randomized controlled study. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2026;14(6). doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000007853.
[2] Kabakci AG, Bozkır DM, Cengizler Ç, Sire Eren D, Bozkır MG. Assessing the rejuvenation effectiveness of a hyaluronic acid and amino acid mixture in the periorbital region. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2023;16:973–980. doi:10.2147/CCID.S406173.
[3] Kabakci AG, Cengizler Ç, Eren D, Bozkir MG. Morphometric analysis of the effects of high molecular weight sodium hyaluronate and amino acids mixture on face rejuvenation. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2024;23(8):2618–2627. doi:10.1111/jocd.16310.
[4] Siquier-Dameto G, Boadas-Vaello P, Verdú E. Intradermal treatment with a hyaluronic acid complex supplemented with amino acids and antioxidant vitamins improves cutaneous hydration and viscoelasticity in healthy subjects. Antioxidants. 2024;13(7):770. doi:10.3390/antiox13070770.
[5] Sparavigna A, Orlandini A. Efficacy and tolerance of an injectable medical device containing hyaluronic acid and amino acids: a monocentric six-month open-label evaluation. Journal of Clinical Trials. 2017;7(4):316. doi:10.4172/2167-0870.1000316.
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