A novel study published in Phytomedicine Plus has found that Horphag Research's French maritime pink bark nutraceutical, Pycnogenol, can reduce cellulite severity and improve skin health.1
This adds to the plethora of research conducted on the ingredient, which has uncovered its benefits in menopausal support, urinary tract infection (UTI) management, immune health, hair density and men's wellness.
Cellulite is a common condition associated with changes to the dermal and vascular structure beneath the skin that disproportionately impacts women.
During the 12 week study, 60 women aged between 25 and 45 were given either 150mg of Pycnogenol a day or a placebo.
Researchers then assessed how supplementation with Pycnogenol could impact various skin parameters including roughness/smoothness, cellulite intensity/severity and the morphological appearance of skin alterations caused by cellulite.
Changes were measured at 4, 8 and 12 weeks, with results finding that Pycnogenol could trigger a 12.2% reduction in cellulite severity after two months of supplementation.
This effect was further increased by the end of the trial, with the Pycnogenol group experiencing a 13.6% total reduction in cellulite; a clinically meaningful improvement as measured by the Hexsel Cellulite Severity Scale.
Notably, the placebo group did not experience a significant reduction in cellulite severity.
Participants randomised to the Pycnogenol group also experienced a 2.07cm reduction in upper thigh circumference after three months of supplementation.
Meanwhile, volunteers experienced a significant (32%) reduction in skin roughness after three months, while the placebo group experienced a 6% reduction overall.
“Cellulite impacts up to 90% of women, and while it's often seen as frustrating, it doesn't have to undermine confidence," noted the study's author and Natural Physician, Fred Pescatore.
"Pycnogenol offers an natural and clinically-backed solution to support skin health, offering multiple skin beneifts — including its ability to improve cellulite," he concluded.
Reference
1 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667031325000934#sec0002