Anti-aging skin benefits offered by botanical blend, new study finds

The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study including 60 participants, demonstrated an oral daily intake of 225mg of EY was enough to produce visible and structural improvements in the skin and to decrease the signs of ageing. 

The study, funded by Monteloeder S.L.,​ and conducted by Complife Italia Srl, Italy, found that the ingredient positively influenced all the clinically monitored parameters, at as early as 4 weeks of product consumption.

The authors of the new study conclude: “Results suggest that the intake of the test product can positively affect the appearance, barrier function, and skin density of aged skin after 12 weeks of treatment.”

Beauty from within​

There is a need for nutricosmetic companies to keep up with consumers’ evolving needs. The authors of the new study note: “The nutricosmetics sector’s major challenge is to offer reliable and efficient solutions with proven effectiveness, which is very important for increasing consumer confidence as well as for clinical decision-making.

“Beauty consumers are looking for overall wellness products that combine cosmetic, health, and mood benefits. In this sense, dietary supplements such as EY could fulfil this requirement.” 

The correlation between nutrition, skin health, and beauty, is an area of increasing research​, with various skin conditions such as dryness, acne, ageing, or even sun resistance being shown to be affected by nutritional patterns​. 

Miguel Poza, nutra-division director of Monteloeder states: “Extensive scientific research​ has demonstrated that botanical phenolic compounds have a wealth of benefits for preserving the appearance and function of ageing skin.

“This inspired us to craft a unique botanical blend designed to synergistically target the underlying mechanisms of skin ageing and enhance beauty from within.”

Eternalyoung​

The Eternalyoung formula combines pomegranate (Punica granatum​), sweet orange (Citrus sinensis​), desert ginseng (f. Cistanche​), and gotu kola (Centella asiatica​).

Previous scientific articles have recognised that the consumption of phenolic compounds from Centella asiatica​​, Punica granatum fruit​​, ​herba Cistanche​​, ​and Citrus sinensis ​​can offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Previous studies​ note that the phenolic compounds contained in the EY blend, specifically punicalagins, flavones, phenylpropanoids, and triterpenes, can benefit skin due to properties that modulate or reduce different cellular pathways​ involved in the skin ageing process.

Additionally, previous in vitro studies​ demonstrated that the same botanical blend could counteract key mechanisms involved in the skin ageing process. 

Poza notes: “The Eternalyoung blend is the result of extensive research and experimentation on numerous botanical actives for their antioxidant and melanin-inhibition activity, as well as their ability to boost skin cell proliferation.”

This present study now evaluates, in a clinical scenario, the anti-aging efficacy of EY, which has previously been shown to protect fibroblasts​ from entering senescence by reducing telomere shortening rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and boosting fibroblast proliferation. The authors of the study hypothesise: “This may favour the synthesis of the structural proteins of the dermis, thus preserving its structural organisation​.”

The study ​

The study was carried out over 12 weeks, in 60 Caucasian women between the ages of 35 and 69, with evident signs of both chrono and photoaging, with 30 allocated to the active treatment arm, and 30 allocated to the placebo. The participants were assessed at baseline, then after 28, 56, and 84 days of product intake.

Product efficacy was measured through a variety of methods: skin moisturisation, by corneometer; transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by tewameter; skin radiance; colour by spectrophotometer; skin elasticity and firmness by cutometer; skin roughness by image analysis; and skin thickness by ultrasound. 

Both intergroup and intragroup analyses proved that the daily intake of 225 mg of the active ingredient was enough to produce visible and structural improvements to the skin and the signs of ageing without any side effects.

The authors note: “Positive results were obtained in almost all of the subjects at the end of the study.”

On the positive effects observed in the study, the authors hypothesise: “This could be due to the capacity of this ingredient [EY] to boost fibroblast proliferation and reduce ROS and telomere shortening in aged fibroblasts, allowing cells to escape from the cell senescence pathway.​”

This is because, during senescence​, cells begin to secrete proinflammatory cytokines, catabolic modulators such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and release ROS. 

Limitations​

While the results of the study on the effectiveness of the product in reducing ageing and photoaging are promising, it is important to note that the study only included female subjects with Caucasian skin. This limitation raises questions about the generalisability of the findings to other ethnic groups and genders. 

Despite this, the study authors suggest that the molecular, cellular, and tissue-specific events that contribute to ageing and photoaging are shared among different groups, and thus the results could potentially be extended to the broader population. 

However, they conclude: “Further research is needed to fully understand the efficacy of the product across different skin types and genders.”

Monteloeder, S. L. will be presenting Eternalyouth at Vitafoods Europe, at booth #B90.​

Journal: Cosmetics 

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/10/1/16​

“Skin Anti-Aging Efficacy of a Four-Botanical Blend Dietary Ingredient: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Clinical Study.”

Authors: Vincenzo Nobile, Irene Schiano, Ludovica Germani, Enza Cestone, Pau Navarro, Jonathan Jones and Nuria Caturla.