Italian study suggests additional benefits of lutein for skin hydration, elasticity

Naples, Italy - A new study suggests that a daily dose of lutein, a nutrient found in foods including eggs and green leafy vegetables, may benefit the skin in terms of hydration, elasticity and superficial skin lipids.

Previous studies have found that lutein helps bolster the skin’s natural antioxidant system and protect against sun damage, and reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Naples, involved Italian female subjects 25 to 50 years old. They were divided into different test groups and administered 10 mg of oral lutein and/or 50 ppm of topical lutein daily over a 12-week period. In the group that received both oral and topical interventions, hydration increased by 60 per cent, elasticity by 20 per cent, and superficial skin lipids by 50 per cent. Lipid oxidation was seen to decrease by 55 per cent.