Clinical study demonstrates Lubrizol’s microencapsulated curcumin extract can enhance skin radiance and reduce wrinkle depth in just 6 weeks

Barcelona – The Nutraceuticals Business arm of Lubrizol reports results of a new scientific study endorsing the efficacy of CURCUSHINE™ microcapsules, its bioavailable, microencapsulated curcumin extract for improving skin appearance and enhancing skin radiance. This GMO-free beauty-from-within ingredient will be a starring feature at Lubrizol’s booth #4F10 at Vitafoods Europe in Barcelona.

Curcumin at the forefront

One of the most in-demand 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 “Attitudes towards Inside-Out Beauty 2024” report highlights curcumin’s rising popularity in the beauty-from-within market, particularly for combating skin inflammaging—an inflammation-related aspect of skin ageing. This trend is gaining traction among nutraceutical brands, targeting Gen Z, Millennials, and older consumers. 

The FMCG Gurus’ “Navigating Beauty from Within 2025” report highlights a market shift as consumers increasingly adopt beauty-from-within solutions, emphasizing inner radiance and outer glow. Brands can effectively highlight the connection between inner and outer beauty by promoting products that nourish both the body and the mind.

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 major emphasis on preventive measures for aging,” maintains Isabel Gómez, Global Marketing Manager for Lubrizol Nutraceuticals. “Notably, taking a proactive approach to aging gracefully is in vogue among younger adults, including Gen Z and Millennials. The rising 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. CURCUSHINE™ microcapsules use a patented microencapsulation process that combines multiple technologies, which enhances the dispersibility of curcumin in water and also its bioavailability. 

The study

Published in the Journal Agro FOOD Industry hi-techon on May 5^th, 2025, and led by Mari Carmen Lidón, PhD, researchers in this monocentric, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, selected 63 healthy female volunteers aged 21 to 50 years old with facial skin imperfections (dark spots and/or acne marks) and/or fine lines in the crow’s feet area. The goal was to determine the efficacy of the microencapsulated natural curcumin extract in improving facial skin appearance.

The volunteers were divided into two groups that 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 were aware of 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 enhancing radiance and reducing wrinkle depth and mitigating the signs of aging and skin oxidation.

After 6 weeks of supplementation, visual reductions in the appearance of wrinkles were observed in the facial images of participants in the CURCUSHINE™ group. A reduction of the wrinkle volume was noted in the outer corners of the eyes, known as the crow’s feet region, by 10.32 percent on average and the forehead area by an average of 5.14 percent. The L\* parameter (degree of brightness) for facial skin also showed improvement, indicating that the volunteers’ skin became more radiant. 

Brown spots were also reduced by up to eight percent, skin luminosity increased by up to 19 percent, and skin homogeneity increased by 69 percent. A previous in vitro study highlighted the superior antioxidant and protective effects of CURCUSHINE™’s on human dermal cells, reflecting its ability to protect collagen and elastin.

“The results of this clinical study, along with the previous lab study underscore’s CURCUSHINE™’s potential in supporting skin rejuvenation and overall beauty enhancement,” states Teresa Negra, Nutraceuticals New Business Development Manager at Lubrizol. “This is attributed to the microencapsulation technology used, which enables curcumin to be easily absorbed within the body radiating its positive benefits on the epidermal layers of skin, rendering it a powerful natural beauty-from-within agent.”

“Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are reflected by the noticeable improvement in skin luminosity and uniform skin tone, along with a visible reduction in signs of aging,” explains Alan Connolly, Nutraceuticals R&D Manager at Lubrizol. “This most 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 alongside a standard diet.”

CURCUSHINE™ is a GMO-free product. Thanks to its water dispersibility, it can be easily incorporated into various nutraceutical and nutricosmetic applications. These include tablets, capsules, as well as convenient on-the-go formats like gummies and powder sachets as well as functional beverages. 

The company will showcase its CURCUSHINE™ beauty-from-within concepts at Vitafoods Europe 2025, Barcelona, May 20-22, 2025, booth # 4F10