Lubrizol's Nutraceuticals business unit reports the results of a new scientific study supporting the efficacy of CURCUSHINE™ microcapsules, its microencapsulated and bioavailable curcumin extract, in improving skin appearance and increasing its luminosity.
Curcumin at the Forefront
One of the most sought-after nutraceutical ingredients to support skin health and anti-aging is curcumin. The powerful bioactive compound in the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) is recognized for its impressive anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-brightening properties.
Mintel's report "Attitudes Towards Beauty from Within 2024" highlights the growing popularity of curcumin in the beauty-from-within market, particularly for combating inflammatory skin aging, an aspect related to inflammation of skin aging. This trend is gaining traction among nutraceutical brands, targeting Generation Z, Millennials, and older consumers.
The Skin We're In
"It's clear that consumers are increasingly interested in supplements that support a radiant complexion, hair growth, and overall beauty, with a strong emphasis on preventative measures for aging," argues Isabel Gómez, Global Marketing Manager at Lubrizol Nutraceuticals. "Notably, taking a proactive approach to aging gracefully is fashionable among young adults, including Generation Z and Millennials. The growing trend of 'prejuvenation' reflects this shift, focusing on nutricosmetic products that help maintain a youthful appearance and prevent signs of aging before they occur."
However, the rejuvenating properties of curcumin are limited due to its low solubility and limited bioavailability. The CURCUSHINE™ microcapsules product uses a patented microencapsulation process that combines multiple technologies that improve the dispersibility of curcumin in water and also its bioavailability.
The Study
Published in the journal Agro FOOD Industry hi-tech on May 5, 2025, and led by Mari Carmen Lidón, PhD, the researchers in this single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study selected 63 healthy volunteers between 21 and 50 years old with facial imperfections (dark spots and/or acne marks) and/or fine lines in the crow's feet area. The aim was to determine the efficacy of the natural microencapsulated curcumin extract in improving the appearance of the skin on the face.
The volunteers were divided into two groups who took either the supplement or a placebo in the form of a water-dispersible powder daily for 42 days. The group that consumed the powder with the active ingredient ingested 2 g of CURCUSHINE™ microcapsules, which provided 0.5 g of curcumin. Neither the study staff nor the participants knew the names or compositions of the products, as the supplements were assigned according to a randomization list.
The results showed that, after oral ingestion of CURCUSHINE™, the microencapsulated curcuminoids were effective in improving the appearance of the skin, namely, increasing luminosity and reducing wrinkle depth and mitigating the signs of aging and oxidation of the skin.
After 6 weeks of supplementation, visual reductions in the appearance of wrinkles were observed in the facial images of the participants in the CURCUSHINE™ group. A reduction in wrinkle volume was noted in the outer corners of the eyes, known as the crow's feet region, by 10.32% on average and in the forehead area by an average of 5.14%. The L* parameter (degree of luminosity) for facial skin also showed an improvement, indicating that the skin of the volunteers became more radiant. Brown spots were also reduced by up to 8%, skin luminosity increased by up to 19%, and skin homogeneity increased by 69%. A previous in vitro study highlighted the superior antioxidant and protective effects of CURCUSHINE™ on human dermal cells, reflecting its ability to protect collagen and elastin.
"The results of this clinical study, together with the previous laboratory study, underscore the potential of CURCUSHINE™ to support skin rejuvenation and overall beauty enhancement," says Teresa Negra, New Business Development Manager for Nutraceuticals at Lubrizol. "This is attributed to the microencapsulation technology used, which allows curcumin to be easily absorbed into the body, radiating its positive benefits on the epidermal layers of the skin, making it a powerful natural beauty-from-within agent."
"Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are reflected in the remarkable improvement in skin luminosity and even skin tone, along with a visible reduction in the signs of aging," explains Alan Connolly, R&D Manager for Nutraceuticals at Lubrizol. "This likely occurs through the reduction of harmful reactive oxygen molecules and inflammation, which contributes to the modulation of collagen synthesis. However, further studies are needed to verify this. Still, it can be concluded that CURCUSHINE™ is a beneficial nutricosmetic ingredient that exerts a protective effect on skin structures when supplemented regularly along with a standard diet."
CURCUSHINE™ is a GMO-free product that, thanks to its high dispersibility in water, can be easily incorporated into various nutraceutical and nutricosmetic applications, including tablets, capsules, as well as convenient formats such as gummies and powder sachets, and functional beverages.