Administration of Apple Polyphenol Supplements for Skin Conditions in Healthy Women:

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Publication Date:
2020-04-13

Institutions involved:

Research Laboratories for Fundamental Technology of Food, Asahi Breweries Ltd., 1-21 Midori 1-chome,
Moriya-shi, Ibaraki 305-0106, Japan
Food Research Institute, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 2-1-12 Kannondai,
Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305–8605, Japan
Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima-shi, Fukushima 960-1269, Japan
Asahi Group Foods, Ltd., 2-4-1 Ebisuminami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0022, Japan
Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., 1-21 Midori 1-chome, Moriya-shi, Ibaraki 305-0106, Japan

Participants:
59 healthy Japanese women, 20-39 years old

Duration:
12 weeks

Dosage:
Low-dose group 300 mg/day, High-dose group 600 mg/day

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Key Takeaways:

Protects against oxidative stress that leads to visible aging. This “internal UV shield” complements topical protection, supporting full-spectrum care.

Promotes brighter, more even skin tone. Supplementation helped preserve L-value (skin lightness), a rare benefit for a dietary ingredient.

Clinically proven to reduce UV-induced pigmentation
Participants taking apple polyphenol extract had less melanin buildup and darkening after sun exposure.

Apple Poly Summary:

Why is this study important? This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of oral apple polyphenol supplementation on UV-induced skin pigmentation in healthy women. After 12 weeks, participants who took the supplement showed significantly reduced melanin and erythema levels compared to placebo—suggesting that apple polyphenols may help protect skin from sun-related pigmentation and oxidative stress.

In Plain English: This study tested whether taking apple polyphenol supplements could help protect skin from sun damage. After three months, women who took the supplement had less redness and darkening of the skin after UV exposure. The results suggest that apple polyphenols might help keep your skin clearer and more even-toned when exposed to sunlight. APs work at the systemic level—functioning as an “edible defense system” against sunlight and other forms of radiation stress (UVA and UVB).

For Medical Professionals: In this 12-week RCT involving 65 healthy Japanese women (ages 20–39), participants received either 300 mg/day, 600 mg/day of apple polyphenols, or placebo. UV-induced pigmentation was assessed via erythema value, melanin index, and L* value following controlled irradiation. Both treatment groups showed statistically significant reductions in pigmentation markers compared to placebo, though no clear dose-response was observed. No significant changes were noted in skin hydration or TEWL. The study supports the photoprotective potential of orally administered apple polyphenols—particularly procyanidins—in mitigating UV-induced melanogenesis.

Abstract:

This clinical study was performed to evaluate the effects of continuous apple polyphenol (AP) administration on facial skin conditions and pigmentation induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in healthy women participants.

Participants (n = 65, age 20–39 years) were randomized to receive tablets containing AP (300 or 600 mg/day) or placebo in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Continuous administration of AP for 12 weeks significantly prevented UV irradiation-induced skin pigmentation (erythema value, melanin value, L value), although a dose-dependent relationship was not clearly observed. In contrast, no significant differences were detected between the groups with regard to water content and trans-epidermal water loss.

Our study demonstrated that APs and their major active compounds, procyanidins, have several health benefits. Here, we report that continuous dministration of AP for 12 weeks alleviated UV irradiation induced skin pigmentation, when compared with placebo, in healthy women.

Keywords: Apple polyphenols; procyanidin; UV irradiation; skin condition; pigmentation

Nutrients 2020, 12, 1071; doi:10.3390/nu12041071 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients