The results suggested that the MKARE supplement led to significant improvements in skin firmness, flexibility and elasticity, as well as reduced water loss from deep skin layers.
“These improvements suggest that MKARE consumption regenerates the skin structure, primarily due to positive changes in collagen and elastin formation, which are key contributors to the improvement of skin firmness, elasticity and barrier protection,” wrote researchers from the University of Léon and other institutions in Spain.
MKARE is marketed by ingredient company Arandovo in Spain as a nutricosmetic and to support joint health in both humans and pets.
How MKARE may support the skin
Eggshell membrane contains compounds that can support skin, such as type I collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin. As people age, the levels of these compounds decline, leading to wrinkles, less firm skin and an aged appearance.
Elastin is a key structural component in the skin matrix, helping to maintain its flexibility and structural integrity. Collagen, a key structural protein in the skin, forms a dense interconnected network with elastin to provide strength and resilience.
“Critically, this structural integrity requires hydration, supplied by hyaluronic acid, an essential component that maintains tissue hydration, enables nutrient exchange and optimizes the functional arrangement of both collagen and elastin fibers,” the researchers wrote.
“The most pronounced effect of MKARE on skin hydration is observed in the deeper layers, indicating a primary action at the structural level. This is likely attributable to the rich composition in collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin of the eggshell membrane, key components also found in skin.”
The study also noted that the observed reduction in water loss from the deeper skin layers in the MKARE group “represents another effect intrinsically connected to the biomechanical structure of the skin,” correlating with increased skin flexibility.
Study details
The researchers used the results of an initial pilot study involving 15 participants to design a comprehensive randomized clinical trial with 62 healthy female participants between the ages of 40 and 70 who exhibited visible wrinkles, dry skin, a lack of radiance and uneven skin tone.
Participants consumed either 300 mg of MKARE fresh eggshell membrane, 8 grams of collagen or placebo daily for eight weeks, and their skin hydration and firmness were assessed using a Corneometer and a Cutometer at days 1, 28 and 57.
The MKARE group achieved superior performance on the subjective questionnaire for all skin and hair parameters compared to collagen and placebo.
The skin tests revealed a significant improvement in skin firmness/flexibility at 28 days compared to the placebo group and at 57 days compared to both placebo and hydrolyzed collagen. Similar results were observed for skin elasticity.
Intragroup analysis of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) “showed a remarkable reduction” at both 28 and 57 days, but significance was only found in the former, the researchers reported.
There was a “marginal decrease in wrinkle count” in the MKARE group after 28 and 57 days.
“Although not significant, these results demonstrate the promising potential of MKARE intake to reduce the number of wrinkles,” the researchers noted.
“In the comprehensive trial, MKARE produced a 44.73% increase in R0 at day 57 and a nearly 40% increase in R2, whereas the hydrolyzed collagen and placebo groups did not show comparable changes. Since R0 reflects firmness and extensibility and R2 represents the ratio of total retraction to maximum deformation, they provide a comprehensive measure of overall skin elasticity.”
The study noted several limitations and called for future research to control for lifestyle and environmental variables.
Source: Frontiers in Nutrition. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1689701. “Comparative effects of MKARE® eggshell membrane and hydrolyzed collagen as nutricosmetics on skin biophysical properties: a randomized clinical trial”. Authors: Yaiza, G-R., et al,
