Resveratrol-procyanidin blend: nutraceutical and antiaging efficacy evaluated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study

Publication Date:
2012-10-04

Institutions involved:

Laboratory of Pharmacobiochemistry, Nutrition and Nutraceutical of Wellness, Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
GMC Pharma SRL, Milan, Italy
Actafarma Laboratorios, Madrid, Spain
Farcoderm SRL European Network for Tests in Dermatology and Wellness, Pavia
Laboratory of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L Spallanzani”
Institute of Molecular Biology CNR, Section of Histochemistry and Cytometry, University of Pavia,
Pavia, Italy

Participants:
50 healthy subjects, 40-65 years old, with visible signs of skin aging

Duration:
60 days

Dosage:
300 mg total polyphenol blend, 150mg apple derived procyanidins, 150mg resveratrol

Key Takeaways:

In just 60 days, participants saw firmer, smoother skin—especially around the eyes—without using any topical products.

Fine lines and skin sagging were visibly reduced, confirming this duo’s ability to reverse common signs of aging—not just slow them.

The formula acts as a skin revitalizer, helping to restore tone and elasticity, especially in women experiencing visible skin aging.

Apple Poly Summary:

Why is this study important? This placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial evaluated the effects of a resveratrol–procyanidin blend on skin aging and systemic oxidative stress. After 60 days, participants showed significant improvements in skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle depth, along with reduced oxidative stress—supporting the potential of polyphenol-based nutraceuticals for anti-aging from the inside out.

In Plain English: This study tested a plant-based supplement rich in powerful natural compounds called polyphenols—including resveratrol and procyanidins—to see if it could improve signs of aging. After two months, people who took it had smoother, better-hydrated skin, fewer wrinkles, and stronger internal antioxidant defenses. The results suggest that certain botanical supplements may help your skin and body stay younger, longer.

For Medical Professionals: In this 60-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 50 subjects were evaluated for the effects of an oral nutraceutical containing resveratrol and procyanidins on skin aging and systemic oxidative stress. The treatment group showed statistically significant improvements in skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle depth, as well as reductions in age spot intensity (via individual typological angle). Systemic oxidative stress markers decreased, while plasma antioxidant capacity and skin antioxidant power increased. These findings support the systemic and dermatologic benefits of polyphenol-based supplementation in mitigating photoaging and oxidative damage.

Abstract:

Background: Skin is constantly exposed to pro-oxidant environmental stress from several sources, including air pollutants, ultraviolet solar light, and chemical oxidants. Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in age-related skin disorders. Dietary bioactive antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols, have beneficial effects on skin health. The advantage of a nutritional administration route is that blood delivers nutraceutical bioactive compounds continuously to all skin compartments, ie, the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the topical and systemic effects of a dietary supplement containing resveratrol and procyanidin on age-related alterations to the skin, the skin antioxidant pool, and systemic oxidative stress levels.

Methods: An instrumental study was performed in 50 subjects (25 treated with supplements and 25 with placebo) to identify clinical features induced by chronoaging or photoaging. Product efficacy was evaluated after 60 days of treatment in terms of in vivo and in situ skin hydration, elasticity, and skin roughness levels, systemic oxidative stress levels by plasmatic derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites and oxyadsorbent tests, and extent of the skin antioxidant pool.

Results: After 60 days of treatment, values for systemic oxidative stress, plasmatic antioxidant capacity, and skin antioxidant power had increased significantly. Additionally, skin moisturization and elasticity had improved, while skin roughness and depth of wrinkles had diminished. Intensity of age spots had significantly decreased, as evidenced by improvement in the individual typological angle.

Conclusion: Nutraceutical and pharmacological intervention with a supplement characterized by a specific blend of resveratrol and procyanidin may be a promising strategy to support treatments for the reduction of skin wrinkling, as well as reducing systemic and skin oxidative stress.

Keywords: antiaging, nutraceuticals, procyanidin, resveratrol supplementation, skin