EFSA rejects two skin health claims made by Swiss firm

The two constituents in question were identified as a flaxseed oil and vitamin E combination, and hyaluronic acid.

Flaxseed oil/ Vit E blend​

Following the application from Nutrilinks, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to a combination of flaxseed oil and vitamin E and maintenance of the skin permeability barrier function.

The claimed effect being it “contributes to maintain skin permeability barrier function”, ​targeting healthy adults with dry and sensitive skin.

Nutrilinks identified two published human intervention studies as being pertinent to the health claim.

However, owing to the very limited information provided regarding key methodological aspects and to the important limitations of the statistical analysis performed, the Panel considered that no conclusions can be drawn from these studies for the scientific substantiation of the claim.

Hyaluronic acid claim​

The second constituent in question sought substantiation of the health claim related to hyaluronic acid and protection of the skin against dehydration, targeting the general population.

Only one study was identified in this case by the Swiss company as pertinent to the claim, and was a single-arm study with no control group.

The Panel noted that this study was uncontrolled and considered that no conclusions could be drawn from this for the scientific substantiation of the claim.

No causality shown​

Having investigated the two claims made about both food constituents, EFSA deemed that causality had not been demonstrated.

For a look at the full opinion on hyaluronic acid click here​ and for the full opinion on the flaxseed oil and vitamin E combo click here​.