Dietary Supplements and the Skin: Focus on Photoprotection and Antioxidant Activity—A Review

Abstract

Skin health is not only significantly affected by ageing, but also by other lifestyle-related factors, such as sun exposure, exercise and eating habits, smoking or alcohol intake. It is known that the cutaneous tissue can exhibit visible signs of senescence, in the form of, for example, dull complexion, loss of firmness, or changes in pigmentation. Consumers attempt to improve skin health and appearance not only by cosmetic products, but also with the consumption of food supplements. Recently, there has been an increase in the amount of food supplements with claims that are related to skin and hair health. Nevertheless, the literature is still scarce in evidence of the efficacy of this type of products. Considering this scenario, we aim in this review to assemble studies and methodologies that are directed at the substantiation of the cutaneous health claims of food supplements. For example, we reviewed those that were indicative of antioxidant properties, improvement in pigmentation disorders, increased hydration or protection against the damages caused by ultraviolet radiation.

Photoprotective and Antiaging Effects of a Standardized Red Orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) Extract in Asian and Caucasian Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study

“…This is the new awareness of the role of nutrition in skin health and specific dietary components have emerged as an effective alternative strategy to prevent and alleviate the symptoms of photoaging. However, despite their widespread use, most of these products rely on scarce scientific studies [ 21 , 23 ], even if, recently, the number of studies on skin-functioning food supplements has increased [ 40 , 41 ]. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the efficacy of a standardized red orange ( Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) extract (Red Orange Complex) obtained from the juice of three pigmented (Moro, Tarocco, and Sanguinello) varieties of Sicilian blood orange grown exclusively in a particular area surrounding Europe’s most active volcano, Mt.…”

“…However, to be effective, the use of topical sunscreen should be part of an integrated photoprotection strategy, including the use of oral photoprotective agents. In recent years, oral supplementation with a wide variety of polyphenols, carotenoids, or other phytochemicals has been reported to possess substantial skin photoprotective effects [ 21 , 22 ]. However, despite the extensive range of food supplements with the most disparate range of health claims, a few of these products claim a positive effect in improving skin appearance, including skin photoprotection.…”

“…However, despite the extensive range of food supplements with the most disparate range of health claims, a few of these products claim a positive effect in improving skin appearance, including skin photoprotection. To make matters worse, most of these products rely on claims supported by scarce scientific studies [ 21 , 23 ].…”

Rosmarinic Acid Multifunctional Sunscreen: Comet Assay and in Vivo Establishment of Cutaneous Attributes

“…Its molecule presents two catechol structures conjugated with a carboxylic acid group as an important structural element in the antioxidant activity of this compound [38,39]. Its activity as a photoprotective adjuvant ingredient was evaluated with successful results in the elevation the sun protection factor (SPF) in vivo of a sunscreen system and, also, RA increased the tyrosinase activity and its expression level in B16 melanoma cells [15,16,40].…”

“…RA molecule has a carboxylic group, two aromatic rings A and A' with ortho-catechol structures, the unsaturated C = C bond and the ester portion [11]. Different studies have shown that RA can act biologically in several ways, being an antiviral, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant molecule [12][13][14][15][16]. The daily topical application of sunscreens can protect the skin from UV rays and, thus, delay or reduce the occurrence of skin damage, such as the appearance of melanomas, spots and wrinkles.…”