Think about the last time you reached for that little bottle of hyaluronic acid serum on your vanity. Maybe it was after a long day, when your skin felt tight and dry, and you needed a quick boost of hydration. Or perhaps you've popped a hyaluronic acid supplement to support your joint health, especially if you're someone who loves hiking or hitting the gym. Hyaluronic acid (HA) has quietly become a staple in our lives—skincare, supplements, even some medical treatments like eye drops and wound care. But what if the supply of this versatile ingredient started to falter? Not because of a sudden shortage, but because of a threat that's been simmering for decades: climate change.
Climate change isn't just about melting glaciers or hotter summers. It's a ripple effect that touches every corner of our global supply chains, including the ingredients we rely on for our daily routines. For hyaluronic acid, a compound once harvested from animal tissues (like rooster combs) but now primarily produced through microbial fermentation or plant-based sources, climate change is creating a perfect storm of challenges. From disrupted raw material harvests to unstable manufacturing conditions, the HA industry is facing threats that could change how we access this beloved ingredient—sooner than we think.
First, Let's Talk About Where Hyaluronic Acid Actually Comes From
Before we dive into climate change, let's get clear on what hyaluronic acid is and where it's sourced. You might associate HA with skincare, but its benefits stretch far beyond plump, dewy skin. In our bodies, HA is a natural substance found in connective tissues, joints, and skin, acting as a cushion and lubricant. When we use it topically or as a supplement, we're essentially boosting those natural functions—hence its popularity in everything from anti-aging serums to osteoarthritis treatments.
Historically, HA was extracted from animal sources, like the combs of roosters or cow eyeballs. But today, most commercial HA is made through microbial fermentation —a process where bacteria (usually Streptococcus equi or Streptococcus zooepidemicus ) are fed sugars (like glucose or sucrose) to produce HA. This method is more scalable, cost-effective, and cruelty-free, which is why it dominates the market. Some HA is also derived from plant sources, such as comfrey, soy, or wheat, though this is less common and often used in niche "natural" products.
Here's the thing: both microbial fermentation and plant-based extraction rely on stable, predictable conditions. And climate change? It's anything but predictable.
Climate Change: Disrupting the Building Blocks of HA Production
Let's start with microbial fermentation, the workhorse of HA manufacturing. To grow the bacteria that produce HA, labs need precise temperature control, consistent access to high-quality sugars, and sterile conditions. Sounds straightforward, right? But climate change is throwing wrenches into each of these steps.
First, temperature stability. Bacteria are finicky organisms—they thrive in narrow temperature ranges (usually 30–37°C for HA-producing strains). If a lab's cooling system fails during a heatwave, or if energy costs spike because of extreme weather (like a winter storm knocking out power grids), maintaining those temperatures becomes expensive or even impossible. In 2022, parts of Europe saw record-breaking heatwaves that caused power outages in industrial zones; some biotech facilities had to pause production entirely. For HA manufacturers, even a 24-hour shutdown can ruin a batch of bacteria, leading to weeks of delays and lost revenue.
Then there's the sugar supply. Most microbial fermentation uses glucose from corn or sucrose from sugarcane—crops that are highly vulnerable to climate change. Corn, for example, needs consistent rainfall during its growing season. Droughts (like those plaguing the U.S. Midwest in recent years) or extreme floods (such as the 2023 floods in Pakistan that destroyed sugarcane fields) decimate yields. When sugar prices rise, HA manufacturers either pass those costs to consumers (hello, pricier hyaluronic acid serums) or cut corners on quality. In 2021, a global sugar shortage caused by erratic weather led some HA producers to switch to lower-quality sugars, resulting in HA with inconsistent molecular weights—a problem for skincare brands that rely on precise formulations for their "best hyaluronic acid serum" claims.
Plant-based HA sources face even bigger threats. Take comfrey, a plant sometimes used to extract HA for organic skincare lines. Comfrey grows best in cool, moist climates with well-drained soil. But as temperatures rise and rainfall patterns shift, comfrey farmers in places like Canada and Australia are struggling. In Ontario, Canada, comfrey fields have been hit by unexpected late frosts followed by heatwaves, stunting growth and reducing HA content in the roots. "We used to harvest 500kg of comfrey root per acre," says Maria, a small-scale farmer in Ontario. "Now, some years we're lucky to get 300kg. The plants just can't handle the swings."
From Farm to Face: Supply Chain Chaos
HA doesn't just appear on store shelves magically. It travels from labs or farms to manufacturers, then to brands, then to retailers—each step vulnerable to climate-driven disruptions. Let's say a HA producer in China (a major global supplier) relies on sugarcane from Brazil. If a hurricane delays shipping from Brazil to China, the producer can't start fermentation. Then, if a typhoon hits China, the factory might shut down, leaving skincare brands in Europe or the U.S. waiting months for their HA shipments.
Transportation is another weak link. HA is often shipped as a powder or concentrated liquid, which requires temperature-controlled trucks or containers. In 2023, a heatwave in India caused a truck carrying HA powder to overheat, ruining 2 tons of product. The result? A U.S.-based skincare brand had to delay the launch of its new hyaluronic acid serum by three months, losing market share to competitors.
Even storage is at risk. Many HA manufacturers store raw materials (like sugar or bacterial cultures) in warehouses that rely on steady electricity. When climate-driven natural disasters knock out power for days—like the 2021 winter storm in Texas that left millions without electricity—those materials spoil. One Texas-based HA supplier estimated they lost $2 million in spoiled cultures during that storm alone.
How the HA Industry Is Fighting Back
It's not all doom and gloom. The HA industry is starting to adapt, driven by both necessity and consumer demand for sustainability. Here are a few ways companies are building resilience:
- Switching to climate-resilient crops: Some sugar suppliers are shifting to drought-tolerant corn varieties or heat-resistant sugarcane, which can withstand erratic weather. In Brazil, a leading sugarcane producer recently invested in a hybrid crop that requires 30% less water and can survive temperatures up to 40°C.
- Renewable energy-powered labs: To avoid energy price spikes during extreme weather, HA manufacturers are turning to solar or wind power. A German biotech firm, for example, now runs its fermentation labs entirely on solar energy, reducing its reliance on grid electricity.
- Vertical farming for plant sources: Brands using plant-based HA are experimenting with vertical farms, where temperature, light, and water are controlled year-round. A California startup is growing comfrey in vertical towers indoors, using 95% less water than traditional farming and avoiding weather-related risks entirely.
- Local sourcing: To cut down on transportation risks, some HA producers are partnering with local farmers. A Canadian skincare brand now sources its plant-based HA from Ontario farms instead of importing from China, reducing shipping time from 6 weeks to 3 days and lowering its carbon footprint.
| Method | Climate Vulnerability | Sustainability | Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Microbial Fermentation (Corn/Sugarcane) | High (dependent on crop yields and energy) | Medium (uses pesticides, high water) | Low–Medium | Widespread but erratic |
| Climate-Resilient Fermentation (Drought-Tolerant Crops + Renewable Energy) | Low (stable crop yields, energy independence) | High (reduced water/pesticides, low emissions) | Medium–High (initial investment in crops/energy) | Growing, limited by tech access |
| Traditional Plant-Based (Field-Grown Comfrey/Soy) | Very High (vulnerable to heat, frost, floods) | Medium (organic options exist but weather risks remain) | High (low yields, labor-intensive) | Niche, inconsistent |
| Vertical Farm Plant-Based HA | Very Low (indoor, controlled environment) | Very High (minimal water, no pesticides) | High (setup costs for vertical farms) | Emerging, limited scale |
What Does This Mean for You?
As a consumer, you might start noticing a few changes in the hyaluronic acid products you love. First, prices could rise—climate-resilient production methods often cost more upfront, and brands may pass those costs along. A hyaluronic acid serum that once cost $25 might now be $35, but it will likely come with a "sustainably sourced" label to justify the price.
You might also see more innovation in formulations. Brands are already experimenting with HA blends that require less raw material—for example, combining HA with other hydrating ingredients like glycerin to maintain efficacy while using smaller amounts of HA. Some are even developing "climate-proof" HA, produced using lab-grown bacteria that thrive in extreme temperatures, ensuring a steady supply regardless of the weather outside.
And don't sleep on the power of your choices. When you buy a hyaluronic acid serum from a brand that prioritizes sustainability—whether through renewable energy, local sourcing, or vertical farming—you're sending a message that climate resilience matters. Over time, this demand will push more companies to adapt, making the HA supply chain stronger for everyone.
The Future of HA: Challenges, but Hope
Climate change isn't going away, and its impact on HA supply will only grow more pronounced in the coming decades. But the industry's early steps toward resilience give me hope. By combining innovation, sustainability, and consumer awareness, we can ensure that hyaluronic acid—with all its benefits for skin, joints, and beyond—remains accessible for generations to come.
So the next time you smooth on that hyaluronic acid serum, take a moment to appreciate the journey it took to reach your vanity. Behind that small bottle is a complex web of farmers, scientists, and manufacturers working to keep HA on our shelves—even as the planet changes around them. And with a little luck (and a lot of hard work), that web will only get stronger.
