Krill Oil May Help Support Skin Hydration and Barrier Function
This research combined two small pilot studies looking at whether daily krill oil supplements could support skin health in healthy adults. In the first study, 51 people took either 1 gram of krill oil or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. In the second study, 50 people took either 2 grams of krill oil or a placebo daily for the same period.
The researchers measured transepidermal water loss (TEWL), a marker of how well the skin’s barrier keeps moisture in, along with skin hydration, elasticity, and the omega-3 index (a blood measure of EPA and DHA levels). Both krill oil doses were associated with a rise in the omega-3 index compared to placebo, along with measurable reductions in water loss through the skin and improvements in hydration and elasticity.
Notably, the higher 2-gram dose appeared to produce somewhat larger improvements than the 1-gram dose, suggesting a dose-related pattern. The researchers also found that people whose omega-3 index rose the most tended to show the biggest improvements in skin water loss, hydration, and elasticity, hinting at a possible connection between omega-3 status and these skin measurements.
What this means for you
For adults interested in skin health, this early-stage research suggests that daily krill oil supplementation might support the skin’s natural moisture barrier over a 12-week period, with effects that appeared to increase somewhat with a higher dose. As these were small pilot studies funded by a krill oil manufacturer, larger independent trials would help confirm these findings before drawing firm conclusions.
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Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2024-08-21 · DOI: 10.1111/jocd.16513
Read the original source ↗This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.