Assessment of clinical effects and safety of an oral supplement based on marine protein, vitamin C, grape seed extract, zinc, and tomato extract in the improvement of visible signs of skin aging in men

Abstract

BackgroundSkin aging is a natural process that may be aggravated by environmental factors. Topical products are the conventional means to combat aging; however, the use of oral supplements is on the rise to assist in the management of aged skin.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the effects and safety of an oral supplement containing (per tablet) marine protein (105 mg), vitamin C (27 mg), grape seed extract (13.75 mg), zinc (2 mg), and tomato extract (14.38 mg) in the improvement of skin aging in men.MethodsThis single-center, open-label, quasi-experimental clinical study enrolled 47 male subjects, aged 30–45 years, with phototypes I–IV on the Fitzpatrick scale. Subjects received two tablets of the oral supplement for 180 consecutive days. Each subject served as their own control. Clinical assessments were made by medical personnel and by the subjects, respectively. Objective assessments were carried out through pH measurements, sebumetry, corneometry, ultrasound scanning, skin biopsies, and photographic images.ResultsForty-one subjects (87%) completed the study. Clinical improvements on both investigator- and subject-rated outcomes were found for the following parameters: erythema, hydration, radiance, and overall appearance (P<0.05). The objective measurements in the facial skin showed significant improvements from baseline in skin hydration (P<0.05), dermal ultrasound density (P<0.001), and reduction of skin pH (P<0.05). No statistical improvement in relation to sebum was found. The photographic assessment showed an improvement in the overall appearance. The results of the objective measurements were found to be correlated with the subjects’ satisfaction by an increase of collagen and elastic fibers.ConclusionThe use of an oral supplement based on a unique biomarine complex, vitamin C, grape seed extract, zinc, and tomato extract produced improvements in the signs of skin aging in men.

Beneficial effects of food supplements based on hydrolyzed collagen for skin care (Review)

“…Collagen peptides are used as dietary supplements in malnutrition or other degenerative diseases to restore bone density. The beneficial effect of collagen peptides on skin elasticity, such as reducing wrinkles or increasing collagen deposition in the dermis, has also been demonstrated in various clinical studies (Table I) (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). For this, in order to act in the deep layers of the skin, hydrolyzed collagen must enter the bloodstream, crossing the intestinal barrier (16).…”

Growing evidence of the beneficial effects of a marine protein‐based dietary supplement for treating hair loss

“…Specific improvements included wrinkles, fine lines, solar melanoses, other hyperchromias, erythema, hydration, radiance, sebum, smoothness, and overall skin appearance . These improvements were correlated with increased collagen and elastin fibers in the skin . Although the emphasis on the product described in this review has been improvements in hair loss, improvements in general skin health have also been reported …”

“…Another product containing marine protein in combination with other natural ingredients has been shown to improve the appearance and quality of photoaged skin in men and women . Specific improvements included wrinkles, fine lines, solar melanoses, other hyperchromias, erythema, hydration, radiance, sebum, smoothness, and overall skin appearance . These improvements were correlated with increased collagen and elastin fibers in the skin .…”

A Comprehensive Review of the Confirmed Therapeutic Effects of Grape Seed Extracts, Cranberry Juice, and Proanthocyanidins in Human Beings

“…Volunteers have given 2 tablets of the marine supplement for 6 months. The supplement ameliorated skin erythema, hydration, pH, and total appearance (Costa et al, 2015).…”