This made competition fierce for this year's NutraIngredients Award in the Ingredient of the Year category for beauty from within.
Our panel of industry expert judges assessed applications based on whether they displayed solid scientific evidence, solved a genuine consumer demand or health concern, showed actual or potential commercial success and had the X-factor to stand out from the rest of the market.
Our three worthy finalists are:
Ceramosides
Ceramosides, from the French ingredient manufacturer Seppic (a subsidiary of the healthcare company Air Liquide group), is a wheat extract highly concentrated in phytoceramides and containing digalactosyl diglycerides, a compound that improves the absorption of ceramides—lipid molecules that play an important role in supporting skin and hair structure.
This ingredient, which has been on the market for the last 13 years in Europe, aims to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and smoothness, and reinforce hair strength.
As part of its award application, Seppic showcased a number of in vitro studies, plus three clinical studies, two of which were conducted and published in 2023 and 2024.
The 2024 publication highlighting the performance of Ceramosides on hair concluded that the ingredient could improve hair density and reduce hair loss in as little as one month of use.
The 2023 study on skin health, which included analysis of a sub-group of menopausal women, reported that the ingredient could improve skin elasticity and smoothness, with menopausal women experiencing a 10% improvement in skin elasticity after just two weeks of use.
Highlighting the ingredient's great versatility, the firm noted that it can be used within a wide range of product formats, including tablets, gummies, softgels, chocolate bars, drinks and more.
ProBeautyShield
Developed by Italian Biotech firm Synbalance Srl, ProBeautyShield offers a patented probiotic blend featuring L.plantarum-PBS067, L.rhamnosus-LRH020 and L.reuteri-PBS072.
The strains were selected for their immune-modulation potential and antimicrobial activity, offering opportunities to address symptoms of acne, atopic dermatitis (AD), and general signs of skin aging.
The ingredient, which has been on the market since 2018, is positioned to meet industry and consumer interest in the gut-skin axis, and the company continues to grow its substantiating science.
One clinical study, published in 2021, involving 80 subjects with mild to moderate AD, observed a statistically significant improvement in SCORAD index (clinical tool for assessing AD) in those taking the supplement.
Further, a study published in 2023 involving hairless mice exposed to UVB skin damage, concluded that ProBeautyShield significantly decreased skin thickness, rectified skin pH, and reduced wrinkles and enhanced skin complexion evenness, inflammatory status and collagen distribution. It further suggested that supplementation led to substantial modulation of mRNA expression related to skin moisture factors, showed a pronounced effect on gene expression related to skin inflammation, and exhibited notable modulation of the MAPK (Mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway.
The firm noted that the multifaceted benefits and the ingredient's ability to address the root cause of many skin issues gives this product the X-factor.
Zeropollution
From the supplier Monteloeder by Suannutra, Zeropollution is a blend of botanical extracts of rosemary, olive, Lippia citriodora and Sophora japonica, created to work synergistically to strengthen the skin's protective barrier against pollution.
The firm highlighted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study involving 50% Asian and 50% Caucasian subjects published in 2021.
Findings indicated that 12 weeks of product use led to significant improvements compared to placebo in all clinically measurable efficacy parameters: enhanced systemic antioxidant activity, increased moisturization and improved skin complexion, radiance, smoothness and firmness. The data also suggested statistically significant positive effects after as little as two weeks of product consumption.
Further, in 2024, the firm conducted a preclinical in vitro and ex vivo evaluation of the potential effect of Zeropollution in preventing the adverse effects of urban pollution. Resulting data showed the blend's ability to reduce inflammation, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, while also offering protection against heavy metals.
The firm spotlighted the blend's ability to tackle the root causes of pollution-induced skin damage by counteracting the increased production of free radicals, preventing inflammatory responses, preserving the skin barrier and inhibiting Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation.
Winner reveal
The awards will be presented at a VIP party hosted by NutraIngredients in Geneva, Switzerland on May 15, recognizing leading initiatives and products across industry categories and celebrating the 10th anniversary of the awards.
"With a stellar line-up of competitors in this year's finals, the team is excited to celebrate our worthy finalists and winners as well as mark a huge milestone for the brand," said Nikki Hancocks, editor of NutraIngredients.com.