Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a multicomponent nutraceutical (MCN) on facial skin. Methods: A randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind trial was conducted involving two groups of female subjects affected by facial skin photoaging. For two months, volunteers took a daily dose of MCN containing 200mg of hyaluronic acid, 500mg of L-carnosine, and 400mg of methylsulfonylmethane, or a placebo. At Day 0 (T0) and Day 60 (T60), face skin hydration, elasticity, and sebometry were measured with an instrumental skin tester, and digital images of facial wrinkles were scored. A subject-based quali-/ quantitative assessment evaluating satisfaction/ quality of life was performed at T60. Results: The MCN and placebo groups each included 25 volunteers (mean ages: 49.3 and 47.8 years, respectively). After 60 days of MCN intake, glabella skin hydration and elasticity improved by 15.2 percent and 22.6 percent, respectively (p=0.03; p=0.004), glabella sebaceous secretion decreased by 24.2 percent (p=0.01), skin hydration and elasticity of the periocular area increased by 12.6 percent and 15.9 percent, respectively, and skin hydration and elasticity of the oral commissural area increased by 17.6 percent and 16 percent, respectively (p<0.001). No significant variation occurred in the placebo group. Wrinkle depth improved slightly in the MCN group (p=0.043 in the periocular area) but not in the placebo group. A slight improvement in joint pain and mucosae/ hair appearance was reported in the questionnaire in the MCN group only. Conclusions: Our results suggest that MCN is safe and effective for facial skin aesthetics and well-being.
Keywords: Carnosine; MSM; Nutraceutical; face; hyaluronic acid; skin elasticity; skin hydration.