Cellular Photoprotective and Antioxidant Properties of Lipids in an Oral Skincare Supplement

Ultraviolet (UV) light is associated with multiple health risks, such as sunburn, premature skin-aging, and skin cancers, which are in part the result of damaging UV-induced oxidative stress. The ingestion of certain natural products, known as "photoprotectors", can increase skin's UV-resistance. Our research focuses on the cellular effects of Bend Beauty, Inc.'s oral supplement called "Bend Skincare Anti-Aging Formula" (AAF), which contains daily doses of a combination of active ingredients: the omega-3 fatty acids (1) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 1050 mg) and (2) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 350 mg) from fish oil, an anti-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acid called (3) gamma-linolenic acid (GLA; 120 mg), plant pigment compounds called (4) zeaxanthin (2.5 mg) and (5) lutein (5 mg), and (6) vitamin D3 (1,000 IU). A clinical trial completed using AAF found that the skin of volunteers who took the supplement daily for 8 weeks required an average of 84% more UV radiation to induce skin redness. I am testing the ability of AAF to protect human skin cells from UVA and UVB light, the two forms of UV light that reach the Earth's surface and cause harm to our skin. Through a variety of cell-based experiments, I have shown that cells treated with AAF for 2 weeks require over 3x as much UV light to induce the same amount of cell death as seen in untreated cells. In addition, skin cells treated with AAF become 2.5-fold more resistant to hydrogen peroxide; a compound commonly used in laboratories to mimic cellular oxidative stress and which is known to be induced in skin by UV-radiation. The data we have collected so far provides evidence that Bend Beauty's Anti-Aging Formula can increase skin cell resistance to UV-light and oxidative stress, which are associated with premature skin-aging and the development of skin cancers. We are therefore excited to continue our research into this product and to share our results with the scientific community.