Nutricosmetics

Nutricosmetics are nutritional supplements which purport to support the function and the structure of the skin. Many micronutrients have this effect. Vitamin C, for example, has a well established anti-oxidant effect that reduces the impact of free radicals in the skin. It also has a vital function in the production of collagen in the dermis. Other micronutrients such as some omega-3 fatty acids,[1] carotenes, and flavonoids[2][3] protect the skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light exposure, which may lead to accelerated skin aging and wrinkle formation.

One of the pioneers in this field, and by many considered as the "Father of internal skincare" is the Swedish biochemist Ake Dahlgren. He invented the world's first nutricosmetic in the late 1980s called Imedeen.

Since the 1990s, sales of nutricosmetics have increased dramatically to over 1 billion USD annually.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Kim, HH; Cho, S; Lee, S; Kim, KH; Cho, KH; Eun, HC; Chung, JH (2006). "Photoprotective and anti-skin-aging effects of eicosapentaenoic acid in human skin in vivo". Journal of lipid research 47 (5): 921–30. doi:10.1194/jlr.M500420-JLR200. PMID 16467281.
  2. ↑ Nichols, JA; Katiyar, SK (2010). "Skin photoprotection by natural polyphenols: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and DNA repair mechanisms". Archives of dermatological research 302 (2): 71–83. doi:10.1007/s00403-009-1001-3. PMC 2813915. PMID 19898857.
  3. ↑ Katiyar SK, Ahmad N and Mukhtar H (2000). "Green tea and skin". Arch Dermatol 136 (8): 989–94. doi:10.1001/archderm.136.8.989. PMID 10926734.
  4. ↑ Kline & Company, Nutricosmetics 2006: Japan, United States and Western Europe