Ingestible MSM Ingredient May Reduce Wrinkles, Improve Skin Texture

In an effort to meet demand for more research supporting beauty-from-within ingredients, Bergstrom Nutrition (Vancouver, WA) has announced results of a new pilot study that suggest its methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) ingredient, OptiMSM, may reduce wrinkles and improve skin tone, texture, elasticity, and firmness.

According to Rod Benjamin, an author of the study and director of technical development at Bergstrom, previous pre-clinical research suggested OptiMSM impacted gene expression “in a three-dimensional skin model.” But this new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human pilot study offers even stronger evidence of OptiMSM’s efficacy on several skin health parameters.

“With MSM being 34% sulfur by weight, it has long been recognized for its potential in supporting healthy skin. However, scientific data supporting efficacy in this area has been lacking,” said Rod Benjamin, an author of the study and director of technical development, Bergstrom. “This study helps fill the gap, providing scientific data that supports the oral efficacy of OptiMSM for reducing fine wrinkles and supporting healthy skin.”

Study Details

The study, published in the Natural Medicine Journal, included 20 female participants aged 35-59 who received 3g per day of OptiMSM or a placebo for 16 weeks. At weeks 8 and 16, participant skin health was evaluated through expert visual grading, Clarity Pro digital imaging instrumentation, and participant self-assessment. The study also included an initial preclinical in vitro gene marker study, which investigated the effect of 2.5% MSM solution on the gene expression of 92 genes associated with skin function.

At the end of the 16-week experimental period, researchers discovered that the MSM-ingesting participants showed statistically significant improvements in crow’s feet and skin firmness over the placebo group, and statistically significant improvements in crow’s feet, skin firmness, tone, and texture over baseline, based on expert visual grading. The digital instrumentation evaluation also showed significant improvements to wrinkle parameters in the MSM group over placebo. OptiMSM users also submitted more favorable self-assessment scores than the placebo group, although the improvement was not statistically significant.

Additionally, the in vitro gene marker study suggested that MSM regulated genomic expression of key genes related to skin health.

Researchers concluded that “MSM supplementation appears to benefit skin health, primarily the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. Effects on gene expression may partially account for the benefits, but further research is needed to verify the results and mechanism of action.”

According to Bergstrom, OptiMSM has ben included in products for joint health, exercise recovery, and nutricosmetics in the past.

“Discovering the full potential of our OptiMSM, beyond our well-known joint health benefits, is very rewarding to Bergstrom Nutrition because we’re learning how to help more people fill additional needs,” said Tim Hammod, vice president of sales and marketing, Bergstrom. “Glowing, radiant skin that looks and feels younger has long been associated with good internal health. This extra bit of research shows us all, consumers and product developers alike, that our instincts were right.”

Read more:

Topical and Ingestible Cosmetics Get Together

Ingestible Collagen May Keep Facial Skin Looking Young

MSM Supplement Boosts Blood Levels in a First Longer-Term Study

Michael Crane
Associate Editor
Nutritional Outlook Magazine
michael.crane@ubm.com
 

References:

Anthonavage M et al., “Effects of oral supplementation with methylsulfonylmethane on skin health and wrinkle reduction; a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical pilot study on OptiMSM,” Natural Medicine Journal, vol. 7, no. 11 (November 2015)