Accelerated human epidermal turnover driven by increased hyaluronan production

•Hyaluronan (HA) is an essential component of extracellular matrix in the skin.•1-ethyl-β-N-acetylglucosaminide (β-NAG2) is a selective inducer of HA production.•β-NAG2 increased epidermal HA and thickness in reconstructed human skin equivalents.•Epidermal proliferation and differentiation were promoted via enhanced HA production.•Epidermal HA production plays a key role in epidermal morphogenesis and homeostasis.