Beneficial Effects of Oral Supplementation With Ovoderm on Human Skin Physiology: Two Pilot Studies

Abstract

Collagens and hyaluronic acid have long been used in pharmaceuticals and food supplements for the improvement of skin elasticity and hydration. These compounds provide the building blocks of the skin. Ovoderm is an oral supplement obtained from eggshells that contains naturally occurring collagen and glycosaminoglycans, such as hyaluronic acid. We evaluated the efficacy of Ovoderm on skin biophysical parameters related to cutaneous aging such as elasticity, hydration, and pigmentation. Two pilot studies were run to assess the effect of daily oral supplementation with 300 mg Ovoderm on skin parameters. The first consisted of a self-assessment questionnaire intended to perform an assessment on skin, hair, and nail health after 50 days of treatment. The second measured the effect of 5-week treatment on hydration by corneometry, on elasticity with the cutometer, and on pigmentation with the mexameter. In the pilot study 1, participants were predominantly satisfied with the effects obtained on general face (100% volunteers satisfied) and body (94% volunteers satisfied) skin condition and skin properties (100% volunteers satisfied with facial skin softness, 94% with facial skin hydration, and 89% with body skin hydration) and partly with effects on hair (67% volunteers satisfied) and nail (50% volunteers satisfied) condition. The study 2 revealed a statistically significant improvement in skin elasticity (12% increase, p =.0136), a tendency to reduce skin pigmentation (5% decrease), and no significant change in skin hydration. Our study reflects that oral supplementation with Ovoderm is efficacious to reduce the gradual loss of skin elasticity characteristic of aged skin, which helps to improve the appearance of the skin.

The effect of oral hydrolyzed eggshell membrane on the appearance of hair, skin, and nails in healthy middle‐aged adults: A randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial

“…We found that the oral supplementation with the Study Product had a positive impact on fine lines, wrinkles, and skin tone, which are facets of overall skin appearance. These findings are supported by other oral nutrition intervention studies where similar bioactive ingredients or sources were utilized, and similar results or the basis (the architecture) for the current results were found . As the objective Canfield Visia‐CR™ system was utilized for skin analysis, we also employed the subjective modified FACE‐Q questionnaire as a means of capturing more robust information.…”

“…These findings are supported by other oral nutrition intervention studies where similar bioactive ingredients or sources were utilized, and similar results or the basis (the architecture) for the current results were found. [10][11][12]15,22,23 As the objective Canfield Visia-CR™ system was utilized for skin analysis, we also employed the subjective modified FACE-Q questionnaire as a means of capturing more robust information. The results on the subjective questionnaire in part support the objective improvements in overall skin appearance as observed with a reduction in crow's feet by week 4; however, the potential for placebo response cannot be discounted, as there were also aspects of the study that were not different between the groups.…”

“…Perhaps due to the high concentration of GAGs and amino acids, oral supplementation of eggshell membrane has been linked with positive improvements in skin elasticity and appearance of the skin …”

“…14 Perhaps due to the high concentration of GAGs and amino acids, oral supplementation of eggshell membrane has been linked with positive improvements in skin elasticity and appearance of the skin. 15 It was the intent of this study to evaluate whether oral supplementation with a specific hydrolyzed water-soluble eggshell membrane (BiovaBio™) that contains a number of bioactive compounds would have any impact on objective and subjective markers of the appearance and health of hair, skin, and nails of healthy middle-aged adults.…”

Supplementation with Ovoderm® Reduces the Clinical Signs of Skin Aging. A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

“…Eggshell membrane has been shown in vitro to be an ingredient that increases the cellular activity, collagen production and reduces the damage caused by UV light [16,17,23]. So far, few studies have been performed to investigate the effect of orally administered eggshell membrane on various skin parameters [24]. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical study set out to explore the efficacy of Ovoderm®, eggshell membrane, on skin physiology and appearance related to cutaneous aging.…”