Zeropollution is a natural, propriety extract ingredient designed for internal use and is composed of four standardised botanical extracts: Olea europaea leaf, Lippia citriodora, Rosmarinus officinalis and Sophora japonica.
In the newly published study, researchers concluded that Zeropollution reduced oxidative stress-induced skin damage and that the oral intake of this supplement may be considered a complementary nutrition strategy to avoid the negative effects of environmental pollution exposure.
Positive effects such as decreased wrinkle depth, increased elasticity and firmness, strengthened skin barrier function and reduction of dark spots were noted after only 2 weeks of ingredient consumption.
The 12-week study, "Antioxidant and Reduced Skin-Ageing Effects of a Polyphenol Enriched Dietary Supplement in Response to Air Pollution: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study," was designed to assess the efficacy of oral supplementation with Zeropollution in reducing pollution-induced oxidative stress and in improving a variety of skin parameters related to skin ageing.
It included 100 female subjects between the ages of 35 and 65 , in generally good health, with normal or sensitive skin, that spend at least 2 hours outdoors every day in a polluted urban area.
The study included the following measurements:
- total antioxidant capacity on saliva (FRAP)
- oxidative damage on skin (lipoperoxides content)
- skin moisturisation (corneometer)
- transepidermal water loss (tewameter)
- skin radiance and color (spectrophotometer)
- skin elasticity (cutometer)
- skin sebum content (sebumeter)
- wrinkle depth (microtopography imaging)
- skin roughness (image analysis).
The researchers observed that after 12 weeks of supplementation, Zeropollution provided significant improvements compared to the placebo in all clinically measurable efficacy parameters including skin lipoperoxides.
“We are elated with the results of this breakthrough research and the support it lends to the efficacy of beauty-from-within solutions, and potential benefits of complementing the use of topical skincare and shielding products by incorporating a dietary approach as part of a more sophisticated skin-protection strategy,” said Nuria Caturla, PhD, Chief R&D Officer at Monteloeder.
The benefits of the ingredient were further substantiated by a self-assessment questionnaire in which the treatment product was highly rated regarding its efficacy, with 82% of participants in the treatment group stating that they would purchase the product.
Exposure to air pollution can result in accelerated skin ageing and inflammatory or allergic skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and acne.
Although cosmetics can protect the most external layers of the skin from pollutants, it is known that internal structures of the skin can also be affected.
Certain pollutants can penetrate the skin via indirect systemic distribution of inhaled or ingested pollution through the blood. Ultra-fine particles and PAHs may accumulate in the hypodermis, dermis, and can even reach the deep epidermis.
The body of science continues to expand and validate the use of Zeropollution as an effective beauty-from-within solution that can help in achieving deeper skin protection, healing and support.