Data published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology indicated that eight weeks of supplementation with the antioxidant-rich synbiotic led to a 14% increase in cheek elasticity and a 5% reduction in the severity of wrinkles.
The test product was formulated with astaxanthin, konjac glucomannan (Skin Cera), Bacillus coagulans, B. subtilis, and B. clausii diluted in fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT).
“The trial findings are significant for the skincare industry, suggesting that this intervention may provide an effective oral supplementation solution for improving cosmetic appearance and managing signs of aging,” wrote researchers from Integrative Skin Science and Research (California) and Vidya (Florida).
“The promising results of this study lay the groundwork for future research, which may ultimately enhance our understanding of its utility in the skincare and dermatology field.”
Beauty from within
The popularity of ingestible beauty products, particularly those featuring ingredients like ginseng, probiotics, hyaluronic acid and collagen, has surged in recent years, Aishwarya Rajpara, health and beauty consultant at Euromonitor International, told NutraIngredients last year.
According to Euromonitor’s Voice of the Consumer: Health and Nutrition Survey, 27% of global respondents ages 45 to 59 reported using vitamins and dietary supplements specifically for beauty and skin health, up from 25% in 2024.
Commenting on the new study, Subhendu Nayak, Director R&D (Probiotics) for Vidya and co-author on the paper, said that the new study is significant because it provides clinical evidence supporting an “inside-out” approach to skin health using an oral antioxidant-rich synbiotic supplement.
“Unlike traditional topical treatments, this intervention targets the gut-skin axis, combining probiotics, prebiotics, and antioxidants to improve skin structure and function,” he said.
In addition to improvements in wrinkle reduction, skin elasticity, and firmness over eight weeks, the study establishes a mechanistic link between reduced oxidative stress, modulation of inflammation, and preservation of collagen and elastin, suggesting that synbiotic supplementation could serve as a safe, non-invasive strategy for managing skin aging and enhancing dermatological health, said Nayak.
“Furthermore, the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design strengthens the reliability and clinical relevance of these findings. The absence of adverse events and good tolerability also supports its potential for long-term use as a nutraceutical intervention in dermatology.”
Study details
The new study included 36 women (average age 48) from the Sacramento region of California who were randomly assigned to receive the antioxidant-rich synbiotic formulation or placebo for eight weeks.
Fata from non-invasive facial measurements and facial photography revealed that he synbiotic group experienced significant reductions in wrinkle severity (−5.3%), while no changes were observed in the placebo group.
Furthermore, cheek elasticity increased by 22% after four weeks and 14% after eight weeks, while firmness also increased significantly after eight weeks (12%). On the other hand, no improvements were reported in the placebo group.
The synbiotic group also experienced a 30% increase in cheek viscoelasticity after four weeks, said the researchers
“Our study shows clinical evidence for using synbiotics for photoaging and also offers some mechanistic insights,” they wrote. “The changes in skin elasticity measures, along with wrinkles, suggest that changes in the collagen and elastin content may be contributing to the changes seen with wrinkles. Additionally, the role of matrix metalloproteinases should be further explored to understand how the balance of collagen and elastin synthesis and the breakdown of collagen are modulated by the supplement.
“Future studies with histological analysis for changes in collagen, elastin, and matrix metalloproteinases are warranted.”
Source: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.70836. “Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of an Oral Antioxidant-Rich Synbiotic Supplement on Skin Health and Photoaging”. Authors: L. Afzal, et al.
