Krill oil may boost skin health measures, say two new RCTs from Aker BioMarine

Data from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot studies indicated that oral intake of one or two grams per day of krill oil resulted in skin health improvements that were correlated with increases in the Omega-3 Index.

“The results from these two studies in healthy volunteers suggest that krill oil supplementation may improve the skin's capability to retain water, in addition to improving its hydration and elasticity,” wrote scientists from Aker BioMarine and the University of Sunderland (UK) in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology​. “Maintaining these functions are crucial for the skin to safeguard against external irritants, support cell turnover and repair, and to maintain a youthful appearance and preventing wrinkles.”

Beauty from within

The study shows that Aker’s Superba Boost krill oil may be a viable option for formulators of skin health dietary supplements, a category with a brick-and-mortar retail value in the U.S. of approximately $459 million (Source: Total USA- Nielsen xAOC).

Globally, the beauty supplement market is estimated by Mintel to be heading towards an estimated $9.3 billion by 2026.

According to Innova Market Insights, Europe was the top global beauty region for supplement launches with skin health claims (41%) during the 2017-2021 period, followed by North America (32%).

“For years we have looked at how krill oil, with its phospholipids and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, can positively impact skin health,” explained Katina Handeland, PhD, director of R&D for human nutrition at Aker BioMarine and the study’s lead author. “The skin is the body’s largest organ, and its health and hydration rely on lipid and ceramide levels, which are influenced by nutrition. Omega-3 EPA and DHA modulate the lipid composition of skin cell membranes and their associated lipid mediators, thereby supporting skin barrier function. Phospholipids have a unique molecular function enabling them to both attract and repel water, which enables them to retain water within the skin.

“Additionally, both dietary essential fatty acids and phospholipids have shown to give a positive impact on skin ceramide levels, which are known to decline with age. The positive results in these two trials help validate evidence from previous research by showing the positive impact krill oil has in improving skin barrier function and moisture retention.”

Study details​

The two new pilot studies included healthy adults with a normal to slightly dry skin. For the first study, 51 participants were randomly assigned to consume 1 g per day of Superba Boost krill oil or placebo for 12 weeks. For the second study, 50 participants were randomly assigned to consume 2 g per day of Superba Boost krill oil or placebo for 12 weeks.

Both krill oil groups were associated with increases in the Omega-3 Index of the participants in a dose-dependent manner.  The Omega-3 Index is a measure of the level of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA+DHA, in red blood cell membranes expressed as a percent of total fatty acids.

In this study, the 1 g dose of krill oil led to an increase from 4.6% at the start of the study to 5.01% after 12 weeks, while the 2 g dose led to an increase from 5.43% at the start to 6.85% at the end of the study. Omega-3 Index levels remained constant in the placebo groups.

Moreover, both krill oil groups exhibited statistically significant beneficial reductions in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), a measure of water loss from the skin’s surface, and increases in hydration and elasticity, compared to placebo.

“In healthy skin, there is a balance between the water content and the amount of water passing through the skin,” said Lena Burri, director of R&D for animal nutrition and health at Aker BioMarine and co-author on the new paper. “The skin acts as a protective barrier between the body's internal environment and the external world. Healthy skin is influenced by a complex interaction of many internal and external factors. Supplementing with krill oil will help giving the skin the daily boost it needs.”

The researchers also reported a significant linear relationship between changes in the Omega-3 Index and changes in TEWL, hydration and elasticity in both studies.

“Given its high safety profile, relatively low cost, and ease of supplementation, krill oil supplementation is a reasonable intervention that may benefit people who wish to improve their skin barrier function and overall skin health through diet,” they concluded.

Source: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology​
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1111/jocd.16513​
“Krill oil supplementation improves transepidermal water loss, hydration and elasticity of the skin in healthy adults: Results from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding pilot studies”
Authors: K. Handeland et al.