title: A phase 2, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of a novel nutritional supplement product to promote healthy skin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite an abundance of nutritional supplements, very few well-controlled trials have assessed their beneficial effect on the skin, such as hydration, antioxidant levels, texture or appearance. The objective of the following placebo-controlled, double-blind study was to determine the effects of the Skin Health Experimental Product (SHEP) on skin health.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study enrolled healthy men and women aged 30 years or older. Subjects were randomized to receive a twice-daily regimen of SHEP or placebo. The effects SHEP had on overall skin appearance and health were assessed by measuring improvements in: (1) skin hydration using a closed-aperture transepidermal water-loss moisture meter and a vapometer; (2) skin texture using silicon profilometry; (3) skin carotenoid concentration using Raman spectrometry; and (4) reported self-image assessments using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  SHEP-treated subjects demonstrated a significant reduction in fine lines compared to the placebo-treated group. Raman spectroscopy showed that SHEP increased carotenoids at some measurement sites. Based on the GAIS, SHEP-treated subjects were three times more likely to perceive an improvement in their appearance compared to placebo-treated subjects (P>0.049).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The orally-administered SHEP nutritional supplement improves skin texture, carotenoid levels in specific areas of the hand, and improves patients' perception of skin health.
authors.affiliation: Chicago Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, Chicago 60611, USA. sdayan@drdayan.com
authors.forename: Steven H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Dayan
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Arkins
authors.forename: Vinny
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paterson
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible
chemical_list: D002338:Carotenoids