Study suggests Lycored skin benefits extend to several audiences

The oral supplement has been previously shown​ to improve collagen and ceramide levels, delivering significant beauty-from-within benefits to skin health and appearance in healthy Japanese women with type II (fair skin) or III skin (darker white skin) types.

Published in the journal Skin research and technology​, this latest study further investigated the effects of Lumenato on skin structure in 59 healthy women between the ages of 35 and 55 of varying ethnicities (Caucasian, Latino) and skin types (including type IV, light brown skin).

“Expanding in clinical substantiation, by studying different age groups, skin types and ethnicities, is imperative to understanding the efficacy of a product to help customers build brand loyalty and trust with their consumers," Elizabeth Tarshish, head of claims and clinical affairs at Lycored told NutraIngredients. 

“This is why our new study was conducted on a different population and explored additional endpoints from previous Lumenato studies." 

Carotenoids for skin health ​

Sourced from golden tomatoes, Lumenato​ is rich in lipids and colourless carotenoids including beta-carotene, zeta-carotene, phytoene and phytofluene.

Carotenoids, abundant in fruits and vegetables, exhibit antioxidant properties​ and can be enriched in the skin through oral supplementation, contributing to photoprotection and potentially slowing skin ageing​.

The Lycored researchers noted that the skin is the primary interface between the body and the environment, and the skin epidermal barrier expresses diverse functions to maintain a balance with the dry ambient environment. Any damage to this stratum corneum barrier function can lead to increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased susceptibility to penetration of toxic agents.

“As the largest separator between a human body and the outside environment, healthy skin barrier function is crucial for keeping harmful external elements like pollution or bacteria away,” Tarshish explained. “A healthy skin barrier also improves moisture retention and TEWL, which as a result, improves skin appearance and elasticity and promotes faster healing from damaging factors like UV.”

Study details​

Participants were split into two groups and received either a Lumenato soft gel capsule (10 mg total carotenoids) or a placebo soft gel capsule (pure glycerin) daily for 12 weeks.  

Skin health and barrier function were observed using an evaporimeter, which measures TEWL. Barrier strength was determined by analyzing the number of strippings required to disrupt skin barrier, and barrier repair was observed in terms of TEWL a few hours after barrier disruption. A cutometer (a suction-based measurement method intended to measure viscoelastic properties) was used to observe skin firmness and elasticity before treatment and after four and 12 weeks of supplementation. 

“Oral supplementation with Lumenato resulted in significant improvement in skin barrier as well as skin firmness and elasticity,” the researchers reported.

Results showed a statistically significant improvement in skin barrier strength (59.9%); a higher number of strippings were required to disrupt skin barrier after 12 weeks of supplement use. Skin firmness improved by 9.34% and elasticity by 11.6%, and TEWL decreased by 10.4%. 

Tarshish said that the research expands upon previous findings by adding additional layers of clinical measurements, with results showing Lumenato’s ability to restore and correct the skin's natural barrier after being damaged; improve skin firmness by elevating the skin's resistance to pressure, which diminishes with age; improve skin elasticity; and reduce skin fatigue, characterized by progressive loose and dropping appearance.

“In this study, we were able to investigate specific skin structures further to better learn and understand how Lumenato works," she added. “In doing so we are also given insights that are meaningful to our customers for their growing consumer population that is invested in the proven efficacy of ingredients and products they are looking to consume or are consuming.”

Source: Skin research and technology​
doi: doi.org/10.1111/srt.13504​
“Effect of Lumenato a Tomato derived oral supplement on improving skin barrier strength”
Authors: Elizabeth Tarshish et al.