A new study published in Nutrients has found that a nutricosmetic supplement rich in hydrolysed bovine collagen and vitamin C could enhance skin texture and dermal density, while also reducing the severity of wrinkles by 16.9%.1
The liquid supplement, provided by Tosla Nutricosmetics, also improved measures of skin roughness; though elasticity and hydration wasn't significantly improved during the study period.
However, the addition of hyaluronic acid — a key ingredient in cosmetic and beauty from within supplements alike — did not significantly improve skin health parameters on top of the baseline effects seen from collagen and vitamin C supplementation.
These results suggest the wide-spanning anti-ageing and skin health-promoting benefits of collagen and vitamin C.
Beauty from within: a rising star
Topical cosmetics have been highly popular for decades due to their ability to improve skin health, hydration and texture.
However their long-term efficacy can be limited as they "don't penetrate deep enough to influence long-term structural changes," Tosla Nutricosmetics' Marketing Manager, Monika told us in a previous interview.
To address this gap, many key nutraceutical players have been investing in developing nutricosmetic ingredients, which are designed to promote the health of a user's hair, skin and nails from within by altering the cellular pathways associated with hydration, skin elasticity or dermis thickness.
Although a wide range of natural ingredients have been touted for their role in beauty from within, three ingredients often take centre stage:
- Vitamin C: An antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental stressors such as UV and pollution
- Collagen: A key structural component of the skin that promotes elasticity, firmness and moisture retention
- Hyaluronic acid: A molecule touted for its skin hydration and textural benefits
Therefore, researchers at the VIST Institute of Cosmetics wanted to explore the benefits of vitamin C and collagen, as well as vitamin C and collagen in combination with hyaluronic acid in supporting skin texture, wrinkle appearance and dermis thickness.
During the 16 week trial period, 87 participants were given a placebo, 5g of hydrolysed bovine collagen and 80 mg vitamin C or 30mg of hyaluronic acid plus collagen and vitamin C — all in a 15ml liquid form.
Objective measurements of skin parameters were taken at baseline, eight and 16 weeks.
Results tout the benefits of collagen and vitamin C
During the study window, participants experienced a significant increase in skin density by week eight, though by week 16, they experienced a 16.3% increase on average.
Skin roughness also improved during the study period, with volunteers experiencing a 9.6% reduction by 16 weeks.
Dermis thickness, viscoelasticity and skin hydration also increased, though all these values weren't significant when compared with the placebo group.
Daily supplementation with collagen and vitamin C also significantly reduced the appearance of wrinkles — diminishing their volume by 13.8% and depth by 16.9%.
Although the addition of hyaluronic acid diminished wrinkle depth by 2.3% on top of vitamin C and collagen alone, this change was not significant.
Participants also experienced an 8.5% reduction in indentation index; a common measure of wrinkles used by dermatologists.
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