Writing in the journal Nutrients, a team of university researchers explored the efficacy of eight weeks of supplementation with a Lumina365-branded supplement developed by Slovenia-based Tosla Nutricosmetics.
“The most exciting finding was the significant decrease in redness development, demonstrated through objective, measurable results,” said Uroš Gotar, chief innovation officer at Tosla.
“A reduction of 46.2% was observed 24 hours after UVB exposure, indicating that Lumina365 enhances the skin’s resilience against sun-induced redness, reducing inflammatory response from the outset.”
The research was funded by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency and Tosla.
A new layer of protection
Gotar noted that the study findings affirm that an oral supplement can serve as a reliable addition to topical sunscreens, particularly in real-life situations where reapplication is often forgotten.
“This level of clinical evidence adds meaningful credibility to the nutricosmetic category,” he said.
“It introduces a new layer of protection that goes beyond traditional sunscreen and addresses a common gap in sun care—that people often forget to reapply. Even just five minutes of incidental sun exposure each day can accumulate over time, increasing the risk of long-term skin damage.”
He added that most people still only associate sunscreen with summer and holidays, not daily routines, but that this product “shifts that mindset, offering consistent, effortless protection that redefines how we think about sun care.”
The company worked to formulate, test and validate Lumina365 during over two years of iterative phases.
“We chose red orange and Polypodium leucotomos because of their well-documented antioxidant and photoprotective properties,” Gotar explained.
“Red orange extract is rich in anthocyanins and flavanones, which help reduce oxidative stress and support even skin tone. Polypodium leucotomos, a fern native to Central America, has been studied for its ability to protect skin cells from UV-induced damage and support immune defense in the skin."
Together, he said, they form a synergistic foundation for a daily supplement that reinforces the skin’s natural resilience from within. The Lumina365 formula also includes vitamins A, C, D and E.
Study details
The eight week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial recruited 54 fair-skinned adults (Fitzpatrick phototypes I–III) and assigned them evenly to either a supplement or placebo group.
Effects on UV tolerance, erythema and pigmentation were assessed at baseline and 2 and 8 weeks.
Overall, the findings revealed a 46.2% reduction in skin erythema, therefore demonstrating an anti-inflammatory and photoprotective effect. There was also a 23.8% improvement in Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) reported, which indicated an improved skin tolerance to UVB exposure.
The melanin index showed no significant differences in pigmentation between supplement and placebo groups, which suggested that the formulation enhanced UV resilience without affecting tanning response.
Benefits became statistically significant only after eight weeks of taking the supplement.
“These results support the use of oral supplementation as an adjunct to topical photoprotection and as a complementary approach to support the skin’s natural photoprotective mechanisms, with prolonged use potentially yielding cumulative benefits,” the researchers reported. “Beyond their clinical relevance, the findings may also support the development of evidence-based nutraceuticals aimed at improving skin resilience to UV-induced damage.”
Although the study was conducted in fair-to-medium skin tones, Gotar noted that the mechanisms of action, antioxidant activity and support for the skin’s natural defenses, are not exclusive to any one skin type.
“While more research is needed to confirm benefits across the full Fitzpatrick scale, the formulation was designed to be universally supportive of skin exposed to oxidative stress and UV damage,” he said.
Source: Nutrients 2025, 17(7), 1240. doi: doi.org/10.3390/nu17071240. “Effects of Eight-Week Supplementation Containing Red Orange and Polypodium leucotomos Extracts on UVB-Induced Skin Responses: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial”. Authors: P Keršmanc et al.
