Efficacy of a Nutritional Supplement on Skin Health in Generally Healthy Adults

Consumption of dietary supplements has been found to modulate skin health. Individual ingredients such as collagen peptides, lutein and ceramides have been shown to improve skin health. Collagen peptides have been shown to clinically improve skin texture, decrease area of skin ultraviolet damage, increase skin hydration, and improve visible skin results such as hydration, elasticity, wrinkles and roughness. Lutein has been demonstrated to increase skin radiance, protect skin from ultraviolet light, and increase skin hydration. Ceramides derived from wheat have been shown to improve skin texture, increase skin hydration and improve visible skin attributes such as hydration, elasticity, and wrinkles. This study will have subjects consuming a nutritional supplement or placebo daily for 90 days to see if there is an effect on skin health. This study will also have the subjects using a facial cleansing device, which has been shown to improve skin health, on half of their face to determine if there is a synergistic effect between dietary supplement and cleansing device. It is believed, this mixture of collagen peptides, lutein and ceramides has not been studied and the study sponsor hypothesize that this blend of ingredients will have a positive impact on skin health.

Visit 1 Screening (day -30 to -1): Subjects will be given a copy of the informed consent document. They will be given ample time to read and formulate questions prior to reviewing the document with study staff. The consent form will be reviewed with the subject and questions will be answered. The subject will provide written consent prior to starting any study related assessments. The study staff will collect the following information during this visit:

* Review medical history
* Review concomitant medications
* Measure height, weight, BMI, heart rate, blood pressure
* Review inclusion/exclusion criteria

If the subject meets inclusion/exclusion criteria they will complete the following study assessments.

* Skin examination
* Investigator facial clinical grading
* Corneometry of both sides of the face and one forearm
* Colorimeter of both sides of the face and one forearm
* Elasticity of both sides of the face
* Carotenoid scan of left hand
* AGE reader of left forearm
* Digital photo of face

Visit 2 Baseline (day 0): Subjects will return to the research site for baseline visit approximately 30 days after their screening visit. Subjects will undergo assessments to determine that they continue to meet inclusion/exclusion criteria. Subjects who are eligible will be enrolled into the study and assigned a randomization number and study product. The following assessments will be completed during this visit:

* Measure weight, BMI, heart rate, blood pressure
* Investigator facial clinical grading
* Subject facial grading
* Corneometry of both sides of the face and one forearm
* Colorimeter of both sides of the face and one forearm
* Elasticity of both sides of the face
* Carotenoid scan of left hand
* AGE reader of left forearm
* 10ml Blood draw (Chemistry and CBC)
* Digital photo of face
* UV Radiation of buttocks (1MED, 2MED, 3MED)

Visit 3 Baseline + 24hrs (day 1): Subjects will return to the research site approximately 24hrs after their baseline visit. The following assessments will be completed during this visit:

* Digital photograph of irradiated buttock site
* Dermospectrophotometer of irradiated site
* Dispense 2 months of assigned study product
* Dispense skin cleansing machine and provide instruction on daily use to the right half of their face only

Visit 4 (day 30 +5 days): Subjects will return at approximately 30 days after their baseline visit. Unused study product will be collected and compliance will be calculated. The following assessments will be completed:

* Investigator facial clinical grading
* Subject facial grading
* Corneometry of both sides of the face and one forearm
* Colorimeter of both sides of the face and one forearm
* Elasticity of both sides of the face
* Carotenoid scan of left hand
* AGE reader of left forearm
* Adverse events will be collected by asking if the subject has experienced any changes in their health
* Return unused study product and dispense enough assigned study product to make it through next study visit

Visit 5 (day 60 +5 days): Subjects will return at approximately 60 days after their baseline visit. Unused study product will be collected and compliance will be calculated. The following assessments will be completed:

* Investigator facial clinical grading
* Subject facial grading
* Corneometry of both sides of the face and one forearm
* Colorimeter of both sides of the face and one forearm
* Elasticity of both sides of the face
* Carotenoid scan of left hand
* AGE reader of left forearm
* Adverse events will be collected by asking if the subject has experienced any changes in their health
* Return unused study product and dispense enough assigned study product to make it through next study visit

Visit 6 (day 90 +5 days): Subjects will return at approximately 90 days after their baseline visit. Unused study product will be collected and compliance will be calculated. The following assessments will be completed:

* Measure weight, BMI, heart rate, blood pressure
* Investigator facial clinical grading
* Subject facial grading
* Corneometry of both sides of the face and one forearm
* Colorimeter of both sides of the face and one forearm
* Elasticity of both sides of the face
* Carotenoid scan of left hand
* AGE reader of left forearm
* 10ml Blood draw (Chemistry and CBC)
* Digital photo of face
* UV Radiation of buttocks (1MED, 2MED, 3MED)
* Collect skin cleansing machine
* Adverse events will be collected by asking if the subject has experienced any changes in their health

Visit 7 (24 hours after visit 6): Subjects will return to the research site approximately 24hrs after visit 6. The following assessments will be completed during this visit:

* Digital photograph of irradiated buttock site
* Dermospectrophotometer of irradiated site

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Males and females 40 - 60 years of age
2. Individuals must present with stable moderate signs of aging that does not change between the screening visit and the baseline visit 4 weeks later
3. Subject is willing and able to participate in all aspects of the study
4. Individuals must sign informed consent, photo release consent and confidentiality agreement
5. Subject has a BMI \> 19 and \< 32
6. Subject must be on a stable dose of chronic use medications for at least 3 months prior to study participation
7. Subject who, in the opinion of the investigator, are free of any medical condition(s) that may interfere with study participation or affect study measures

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals that are being treated for cancer or have a history of facial skin cancer
2. Individuals with sunburn, moderate to pronounced suntan, uneven skin tones, tattoos, scares or other disfiguration, dilated vessels or other conditions on the test area that might influence the test results
3. Any disease or condition of the skin that the investigator deems inappropriate for participation, including rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis
4. Individuals currently taking medications which in the opinion of the investigator may interfere with the study. This would include but not be limited to all oral corticosteroids, use of anti-inflammatory drugs more than 14 consecutive days, immunosuppressive drugs or antihistamine medications (steroid nose drops and/or eye drops are permitted), hormone replacement therapy and insulin, antibiotics or other topical drugs at the test sites
5. Individuals with uncontrolled metabolic diseases such as diabetes (type I and II), hypertension, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, severe chronic asthma, immunological disorders such as HIV, AIDS and systemic lupus erythematosus or mastectomy for cancer involving removal of lymph nodes
6. Subject is taking skin, nail, and hair health promoting supplement orally (including products containing collagen and carotenoids)
7. Women known to be pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant
8. Individuals participating in other facial clinical trials
9. Individuals who have routinely used alpha-hydroxy-acid (AHA) or a beta-hydroxy-acid (BHA) containing product within two weeks of baseline visit or Retin-A®, Retin-A Micro®, Renova®, Differin®, Avita®, Tazorac®, or Soriatane® within one month of baseline visit or have taken Accutane® within one year of baseline visit. Individuals who have used Retinol in the last six months prior to baseline visit
10. Individuals with inflammatory acne lesions (i.e., papules, pustules, cysts, nodules) at the test site
11. Individuals who have had chemical peels or dermabrasion within the last six months prior to baseline visit
12. Individuals who have sun tanned (sun or tanning beds) in the nude within the past 1 year prior to baseline visit
13. Excessive alcohol use (\>2 drinks per day)
14. Subject is a current smoker or quit less than 3 years from screening visit
15. History of substance abuse