Nutricosmetics

The term nutricosmetics refers to nutritional supplements which can 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 reduce the impact of free radicals in the skin.It also has a vital function in the production of collagen in the dermis. Other micronutrients e.g. some omega-3 fatty acids^[1], carotenes and flavonoids^[2][3] protect the skin from the damaging effects of Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, which may lead to accelerated skin ageing and wrinkle formation. Natural oils such as Egg Oil which contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, are often used topically as nutricosmetics.

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

Since the 1990s the area of nutricostemtics have developed dramatically and is now the yearly international turnover of this product category is over 1 billion USD^[4] Some international established product lines are: AgeOff, Oenobiol, Rejuvenal, Imedeen, LavieSage, Inneov and Estime-Internal Beauty System.

References

1. ^ Kim HH, Cho S, Lee S, Kim KH, et al. Photoprotective and anti-skin-aging effects of eicosapentaenoic acid in human skin in vivo. J Lipid Res. 2006 May;47(5):921-30. Epub 2006 Feb 7.
2. ^ Nichols JA and Katiyar SK. Skin photo-protection by natural polyphenols: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and DNA repair mechanisms. Arch Dermatol Res. 2010 Mar;302(2):71-83. Epub 2009 Nov 7.
3. ^ Katiyar SK, Ahmad N and Mukhtar H. Green tea and skin. Arch Dermatol. 2000 Aug;136(8):989-94.
4. ^ Kline & Company, Nutricosmetics 2006: Japan, United States and Western Europe