Uses

  • Photoaging
  • Sun-damaged skin

Our skin gets wrinkled and discolored as we age. It is also less able to stretch and return to normal. Aging skin can also be dry and spotty.

Skin care and skin treatments can help prevent signs of aging skin. Natural therapies have also been used to improve skin elasticity and ease wrinkles. However, it should only be used with standard treatment.

Natural Therapies

May Be Effective

These therapies may help improve skin elasticity and ease wrinkles:

  • Antioxidants help the body fight damage to cells. A1, A6
  • Cocoa can be taken as a supplement or applied to the skin. A5
  • Collagen is a protein found in the skin that controls elasticity. A3, A6-A10, A15, A17, A18
  • Fermented honeybush comes from a flowering plant. A11
  • French maritime pine bark is taken as a supplement. (Note: It should not be taken by people who have problems with their immune system.) A2
  • Probiotics are healthy bacteria that can be taken as a supplement. A4
  • Red ginseng is a Korean herbal remedy. A26
  • S-equol is found in trace amounts in food and made by the body. A24

Not Enough Data to Assess

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse. For example, French maritime pine bark may make the immune system more active. Talk to your doctor before taking it if you have problems with your immune system.

References

Herbs and Supplements

REFA1 Udompataikul M, Sripirol P, et al. An oral nutraceutical containing antioxidants, minerals and glycosaminoglycans improves skin roughness and fine wrinkles. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2009;31(6):427-435.

REFA2 Furumura M, Sato N, et al. Oral administration of French maritime pine bark extract (Flavangenol(®)) improves clinical symptoms of photoaged facial skin. Clin Interv Aging. 2012;7:275-286.

REFA3 Asserin J, Lati E, et al. The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the derma collagen network: evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trials. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2015;14(4):291-301.

REFA4 Lee DE, Huh CS, et al. Clinical Evidence of Effects of Lactobacillus platarum HY7714 on Skin Aging: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2015;25(12):2160-2168.

REFA5 Yoon HS, Kim JR, et al. Coca Flavanol Supplementation Influences Skin Conditions of Photo-Aged Women: A 24-Week Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial. J Nur. 2016;146(1):46-50.

REFA6 Genoveese L, Corbo A, et al. An Insight into the Changes in Skin Texture and Properties following Dietary Intervention with a Nutricosmeceutical Containing a Blend of Collagen Bioactive Peptides and Antioxidants. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2017;30(3):146-158.

REFA7 Schwartz SR, Hammon KA, et al. Novel Hydrolyzed Chicken Sternal Cartilage Extract Improves Facial Epidermis and Connective Tissue in Healthy Adult Females: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Altern Ther Health Med. 2019 Sep;25(5):12-29.

REFA8 Ito N, Seki S, et al. Effects of Composite Supplement Containing Collagen Peptide and Ornithine on Skin Conditions and Plasma IGF-1 Levels-A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Mar Drugs. 2018 Dec 3;16(12). pii: E482.

REFA9 Czajka A, Kania EM, et al. Daily oral supplementation with collagen peptides combined with vitamins and other bioactive compounds improves skin elasticity and has a beneficial effect on joint and general wellbeing. Nutr Res. 2018 Sep;57:97-108.

REFA10 Kim DU, Chung HC, et al. Oral Intake of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Improves Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkling in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2018 Jun 26;10(7). pii: E826.

REFA11 Choi SY, Hong JY, et al. Protective effects of fermented honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia) extract (HU-018) against skin aging: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2018 Oct;20(5):313-318.

REFA12 Birnbaum JE, McDaniel DH, et al. A multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial assessing the effects of a multicomponent nutritional supplement for treating photoaged skin in healthy women. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017 Mar;16(1):120-131.

REFA13 Žmitek K, Pogačnik T, et al. The effect of dietary intake of coenzyme Q10 on skin parameters and condition: Results of a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Biofactors. 2017 Jan 2;43(1):132-140.

REFA14 Schwartz S, Frank E, et al. Zeaxanthin-based dietary supplement and topical serum improve hydration and reduce wrinkle count in female subjects. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2016 Dec;15(4):e13-e20.

REFA15 Inoue N, Sugihara F, et al. Ingestion of bioactive collagen hydrolysates enhance facial skin moisture and elasticity and reduce facial ageing signs in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study. J Sci Food Agric. 2016 Sep;96(12):4077-4081.

REFA16 Phetcharat L, Wongsuphasawat K, et al. The effectiveness of a standardized rose hip powder, containing seeds and shells of Rosa canina, on cell longevity, skin wrinkles, moisture, and elasticity. Clin Interv Aging. 2015 Nov 19;10:1849-56.

REFA17 Proksch E, Schunck M, et al. Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(3):113-119.

REFA18 Proksch E, Segger D, et al. Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(1):47-55.

REFA19 Jenkins G, Wainwright LJ, et al. Wrinkle reduction in post-menopausal women consuming a novel oral supplement: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2014 Feb;36(1):22-31.

REFA20 Hong YH, Jung EY, et al. Tannase-converted green tea catechins and their anti-wrinkle activity in humans. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2013 Jun;12(2):137-143.

REFA21 Rawlings AV, Stephens TJ, et al. The effect of a vitamin A palmitate and antioxidant-containing oil-based moisturizer on photodamaged skin of several body sites. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2013 Mar;12(1):25-35.

REFA22 Tominaga K, Hongo N, et al. Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects. Acta Biochim Pol. 2012;59(1):43-47.

REFA23 Ho ET, Trookman NS, et al. A randomized, double-blind, controlled comparative trial of the anti-aging properties of non-prescription tri-retinol 1.1% vs. prescription tretinoin 0.025%. J Drugs Dermatol. 2012 Jan;11(1):64-69.

REFA24 Oyama A, Ueno T, et al. The effects of natural S-equol supplementation on skin aging in postmenopausal women: a pilot randomized placebo-controlled trial. Menopause. 2012 Feb;19(2):202-210.

REFA25 Bouilly-Gauthier D, Jeannes C, et al. Clinical evidence of benefits of a dietary supplement containing probiotic and carotenoids on ultraviolet-induced skin damage. Br J Dermatol. 2010 Sep;163(3):536-543.

REFA26 Cho S, Won CH, et al. Red ginseng root extract mixed with Torilus fructus and Corni fructus improves facial wrinkles and increases type I procollagen synthesis in human skin: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Med Food. 2009 Dec;12(6):1252-1259.

REFB1 Kanlayavattanakul M, Lourith N, et al. Jasmine rice panicle: A safe and efficient natural ingredient for skin aging treatments. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Dec 4;193:607-616.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
  • Review Date: 10/2019
  • Update Date: 05/15/2020