Six weeks of supplementation with Lubrizol’s Curcushine-branded microencapsulated curcumin extract was associated with reductions in wrinkle depth and fewer signs of aging and skin oxidation, according to data published in Agro FOOD Industry Hi Tech.
“The study shows a significant decrease in wrinkle area, reduction of redness and brown spots and a clear trend towards improved skin luminosity, homogeneity and reduced oxidative stress,” wrote scientists from Lubrizol Nutraceuticals and Lipotec S.A.U. in Spain. “This positions [Curcushine] as an efficient nutricosmetic ingredient capable of improving skin appearance and mitigating signs of aging.
“The observed benefits of [Curcushine] are likely due to the reduction of ROS and modulation of collagen synthesis. Therefore, Curcushine microcapsules can be considered a beneficial nutraceutical ingredient that improves skin when included in a standard diet.”
Beauty-from-within
According to MarketsandMarkets, the global beauty supplements market is estimated to be worth $3.96 billion this year and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% to reach $5.76 billion by 2030.
Gen Z and Millennial consumers are the key consumers for these products, Aishwarya Rajpara, health and beauty consultant at Euromonitor International, recently told NutraIngredients. The growing demand from these segments reflects the increasing influence of social media as a main marketing channel fed by beauty, skincare and wellness influencers promoting ingestible beauty ingredients as essential to a healthy beauty routine.
That said, older consumers are gradually being influenced by these trends as well, she added.
According to Euromonitor’s latest Voice of the Consumer: Health and Nutrition Survey, 27% of global respondents ages 45 to 59 reported using vitamins and dietary supplements specifically for beauty and skin health, up from 25% in 2024.
“It’s clear that consumers are increasingly interested in supplements that support a radiant complexion, hair growth and overall beauty, with a major emphasis on preventive measures for aging,” said Isabel Gómez, global marketing manager for Lubrizol Nutraceuticals, in a press release. “Notably, taking a proactive approach to aging gracefully is in vogue among younger adults, including Gen Z and Millennials. The rising trend of ‘prejuvenation’ reflects this shift, focusing on nutricosmetic products that help maintain a youthful appearance and prevent signs of aging before they occur.”
Study details
The new double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study included 63 healthy women ages 21 to 50 with facial skin imperfections (dark spots and/or acne marks) and/or fine lines in the crow’s feet area. The women were randomly assigned to receive either 2 g of Curcushine (providing 0.5 g of curcumin per day) or placebo for 42 days.
The results showed that women in the microencapsulated curcumin group exhibited greater improvements in the appearance of the skin, namely enhancing radiance and reducing wrinkle depth and mitigating the signs of aging and skin oxidation.
Specifically, average 10.3% and 5.1% reductions of the wrinkle volume in the crow’s feet region and the forehead, respectively, were recorded for the curcumin group. Brown spots were also reduced by up to 8%, the researchers noted, while skin luminosity and skin homogeneity increased by up to 19% and 69%, respectively.
“The results of this clinical study, along with the previous lab study underscore’s Curcushine’s potential in supporting skin rejuvenation and overall beauty enhancement,” said Teresa Negra, nutraceuticals new business development manager at Lubrizol and lead author on the new paper. “This is attributed to the microencapsulation technology used, which enables curcumin to be easily absorbed within the body radiating its positive benefits on the epidermal layers of skin, rendering it a powerful natural beauty-from-within agent.”
Hot ingredient
The studies add to the ever-growing body of evidence supporting the potential health benefits of turmeric and the curcuminoids it contains.
The category has enjoyed meteoric growth over the last decade. According to the Herb Market Report published by the American Botanical Council (HerbalGram 141 ), turmeric is the number one selling herb in the natural channel, with $37 million in sales. It is number three in the mass channel (MULO) with $133 million in sales.
Source: Agro FOOD Industry Hi Tech. “Efficacy of oral curcumin extract microcapsules on skin appearance”. Authors: T. Negra et al.