Pycnogenol is an extract from the bark of the French Maritime Pine Trees, researched for its anti-inflammatory benefit as a source of powerful antioxidants such as catechin and epicatechin. Studies have shown it to be several times more powerful than vitamin C and vitamin E. And even more impressive is that it recycles vitamin C and regenerates vitamin E, increasing the efficacy of the internal antioxidant systems for protection from free radicals[i].
Here’s a little insight from scientific studies about what pycnogenol does for the skin and why it features as a hero ingredient in Glow, our advanced formula for healthy Skin, Hair and Nails:
- Improves skin elasticity[ii]
- Improves skin hydration through increased synthesis of extracellular hyaluronic acid[iii]
- Stimulates our bodies own natural production of collagen[iv]
- Provides photoprotection[v]
- Reduces hyperpigmentation[vi]
- Improves clinical symptoms of skin conditions including psoriasis[vii] and melasma[viii].
Not only is Pycnogenol well established as a valuable supplement for healthy skin, but it also has much broader benefit for use in allergies, cardiovascular health, inflammatory conditions, hormonal conditions, cognitive health and other chronic disorders[ix].
[i] Ni, Z., Mu, Y. and Gulati, O. (2002) ‘Treatment of Melasma with Pycnogenol®’, Phytotherapy Research, 16(6), pp. 567–571. doi:10.1002/ptr.1085.
[ii] Zhao, H. et al. (2021) ‘Oral Pycnogenol® intake benefits the skin in urban Chinese outdoor workers: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, and crossover intervention study’, Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 34(3), pp. 135–145. doi:10.1159/000514323.
[iii] Marini, A. et al. (2012) ‘Pycnogenol® effects on skin elasticity and hydration coincide with increased gene expressions of collagen type I and hyaluronic acid synthase in women’, Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 25(2), pp. 86–92. doi:10.1159/000335261.
[iv] Grether-Beck, S. et al. (2015) ‘French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol®) effects on Human skin: Clinical and molecular evidence’, Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 29(1), pp. 13–17. doi:10.1159/000441039.
[v] Grether-Beck, S. et al. (2015) ‘French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol®) effects on Human skin: Clinical and molecular evidence’, Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 29(1), pp. 13–17. doi:10.1159/000441039.
[vi] Grether-Beck, S. et al. (2015) ‘French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol®) effects on Human skin: Clinical and molecular evidence’, Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 29(1), pp. 13–17. doi:10.1159/000441039.
[vii] belcaro, G. et al. (2014) ‘Improvement in signs and symptoms in psoriasis patients with Pycnogenol® supplementation’, Panminerva Med., 56, pp. 41–48.
[viii] Ni, Z., Mu, Y. and Gulati, O. (2002) ‘Treatment of Melasma with Pycnogenol®’, Phytotherapy Research, 16(6), pp. 567–571. doi:10.1002/ptr.1085.
[ix] Schoonees, A. et al. (2012) ‘Pycnogenol® for the treatment of chronic disorders’, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [Preprint]. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd008294.pub3.
