DÜSSELDORF, Germany—Results from a new study published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology provided skin-physiological and molecular evidence that supplementing with Pycnogenol® benefits human skin by increasing skin hydration and skin elasticity, most likely due to an increased synthesis of extracellular matrix molecules such as hyaluronic acid (HA) and possibly collagen (2012;25:86-92).
"We are encouraged by the molecular evidence confirmed in this study that shows nutritional supplementation with Pycnogenol benefits human skin," explained Jean Krutmann, lead researcher from the Leibniz Research Institute, Dusseldorf, where the study was conducted.
The study examined 20 healthy women, aged 55 to 68 years. Participants were given 75 mg/d of Pycnogenol, an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, over a period of 12 weeks. Skin hydration, skin elasticity and skin fatigue were assessed by non-invasive biophysical methods at trial start and after six and 12 weeks. In addition, at the beginning and again after 12 weeks of Pycnogenol supplementation, each time, a biopsy was obtained to assess gene expression of HAS-1 and COL1A1 and COL1A2.
The study found:
- Pycnogenol elevated COL1A1 by 29 percent and COL1A2 by 41 percent and increased hyaluronic acid production in skin by 44 percent
- Pycnogenol enhanced skin elasticity by 25 percent, in addition to skin hydration by eight percent, and was especially noticeable in women who had dry skin from the start, with an increase of 21 percent
- Pycnogenol decreased skin fatigue considerably
- Pycnogenol reduced skin wrinkles by three percent and increased skin smoothness by six percent
“This exciting and technically advanced investigation with women representing actual consumer profiles greatly supports our efforts for targeting the skin-beauty category for both dietary supplements and functional foods," said Victor Ferrari, CEO of Horphag Research, exclusive worldwide suppliers of Pycnogenol.
