This 12-week-long, open, prospective and monocentric clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of an oral food supplement in the context of photoprotection.

To do so, 30 subjects with ageing skin (mean age 55.6±1.4 years) received for 12 weeks an oral food supplement (VitAox Ultra) containing a combination of actives with mainly antioxidative properties (vitamin A (800 µg RE), vitamin C (40 mg), vitamin D3 (5 µg), vitamin E (12 mg), selenium (41.5 µg), lycopene (8 mg), lutein (8 mg), green tea extract (50 mg), Polypodium leucotomos extract (480 mg) and grape extract (10.1 mg)). Photoprotection was evaluated by the measurement of the minimal erythema dose (MED), while the antioxidant capacity of the skin was assessed through ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays. Additionally, several skin parameters (including radiance, elasticity, and moisture). Moreover, safety was monitored through a self-recording of all observed adverse reactions.

Results showed that the minimal erythema dose levels increased significantly compared to baseline throughout the study visits (p < 0.001). Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) results also indicated a significant increase in the antioxidant capacity of the skin compared to baseline (p < 0.001), while the malondialdehyde (MDA) assay showed a significant decrease in MDA concentration compared to baseline (p < 0.001) which, in line with the FRAP results, indicated enhanced antioxidative protection of the skin. All assessed skin parameters, including radiance (p < 0.001), gross elasticity (p < 0.001), net elasticity (p < 0.001), and moisture (p < 0.001) were also significantly improved. The product was well tolerated as no adverse events were attributed to the use of the product.

In conclusion, the food supplement was well-tolerated and demonstrated a beneficial effect in terms of photoprotection, enhancing the antioxidative status of the skin and improving general skin condition.

Granger C, Aladren S, Delgado J, Garre A, Trullas C, Gilaberte Y. Prospective Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Food Supplement in Increasing Photoprotection and Improving Selective Markers Related to Skin Photo-Ageing [published online ahead of print, 2019 Dec 4]. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019.