Aging skin

Overview

Five supplements are indexed for aging skin across 11 studies. Vitamin A has the strongest rating (WA 68, medium effect size, evidence, and trust).

Topical retinol and other vitamin A creams may reduce wrinkles, improve texture and tone, and increase collagen with continued use, though irritation can occur when starting. Astaxanthin (WA 48; low effect size, medium evidence, medium trust) shows mixed results: small oral studies reported improvements in elasticity and moisture, while reviews found no clear effect on wrinkle depth.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid cream, daily avocado intake, and a Vitex agnus-castus combination product each have only low-rated, single-study evidence. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for full ratings.

Effect graph

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Relevant supplements

Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.


Vitamin A	★★★★★	Medium
Astaxanthin	★★★★★	Low
Vitex agnus-castus	★★★★★	Low
Avocado	★★★★★	Low
Alpha-Lipoic Acid	★★★★★	Low

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Studies

Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.

5 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.

Vitamin AView supplement →

Consider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeMediumEvidenceHighTrustHigh

Evidence Review

Using retinol or other vitamin A creams can help reduce wrinkles, improve skin texture, and even out skin tone.
Studies show that applying retinol regularly for several months can increase collagen, making skin look smoother and younger.
It’s best to start with a low concentration and gradually increase use to avoid irritation.
The benefits tend to last as long as you continue using the product.

Browse 6 studies

Open-labelEfficacy and Tolerability of a Retinoid Eye Cream for Fine to Moderate Wrinkles of the Periorbital Region2022n=16

A 12-week open-label study of 26 adults (ages 35–65) found nightly retinoid eye cream significantly improved periorbital wrinkles, texture, and under-eye puffiness by week 12 without related adverse events.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Population: Adults
Participants: 16
Ages: 35–65

View on PubMed

RCTA Clinical Anti-Ageing Comparative Study of 0.3 and 0.5% Retinol Serums: A Clinically Controlled Trial2020n=37

A 12-week study of 37 volunteers found retinol serums at 0.3% and 0.5% reduced hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and skin roughness, with more irritation on the 0.5% side.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 8 weeks
Participants: 37

View on PubMed

RCTRandomized parallel control trial checking the efficacy and impact of two concentrations of retinol in the original formula on the aging skin condition: Pilot study2020n=20

An 8-week pilot RCT of 40 adults applying retinol 0.15% on one side and 0.3% on the other found both concentrations improved skin condition and wrinkles with minimal irritation and no significant between-side differences.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 8 weeks
Population: Adults
Participants: 20

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Open-labelEfficacy and Tolerability of a Skin Brightening/Anti-Aging Cosmeceutical Containing Retinol 0.5%, Niacinamide, Hexylresorcinol, and Resveratrol2016n=25

A 10-week open-label study of 25 adults (mean age 53) using a cosmeceutical with 0.5% retinol plus niacinamide, resveratrol, and hexylresorcinol found significant improvements in fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and smoothness.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Adults
Participants: 25
Avg age: ~53

View on PubMed

RCTImprovement of photoaged facial skin in middle-aged Japanese females by topical retinol (vitamin A alcohol): a vehicle-controlled, double-blind study2009n=57

A 26-week double-blind study of 57 middle-aged Japanese women found 0.075% retinol cream improved fine wrinkles in 50% and deep wrinkles in 28% of treated sides versus 24% and 2% with vehicle.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 26 weeks
Population: Women
Participants: 57

View on PubMed

RCTImprovement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)2007n=6

A 24-week RCT of 36 elderly adults (mean age 87) found topical 0.4% retinol improved fine wrinkling scores and increased dermal glycosaminoglycans and procollagen I versus vehicle on treated arms.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 24 weeks
Population: Older adults
Participants: 6
Avg age: ~87

View on PubMed

AstaxanthinView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceMediumTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Small studies show that taking astaxanthin supplements at a dose of 3 mg twice daily for 6 to 8 weeks may improve skin elasticity, fine lines, wrinkles, and moisture.
However, a review of several studies found that while skin moisture and elasticity improved moderately, there was no clear effect on wrinkle depth.
Applying astaxanthin lotion twice daily might also help with skin aging, but the evidence is from very small studies.
More evidence is needed.

Browse 2 studies1 meta-analysis

MetaSystematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Astaxanthin on Human Skin Ageing2021

A meta-analysis found oral astaxanthin improved skin moisture and elasticity but did not significantly reduce wrinkle depth versus placebo; topical/oral combo studies suggested additional cosmetic benefit.

Effect: Benefit

View on PubMed

RCTCosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on human subjects2012n=36

In human skin studies, oral astaxanthin 6 mg/day plus topical use for 8 weeks improved wrinkles, age spots, elasticity, and moisture; oral 6 mg/day for 6 weeks also improved crow's feet wrinkles in men.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 8 weeks
Dose: 6 mg/day
Population: Men
Participants: 36

View on PubMed

Alpha-Lipoic AcidView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Using a skin cream containing alpha-lipoic acid twice per day for 3 months may reduce fine lines.

Browse 1 study

RCTRandomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoageing of facial skin2003

12-week double-blind RCT found 5% alpha-lipoic acid cream reduced facial photoaging roughness more than placebo on multiple assessment methods.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Population: Women
Avg age: ~54

View on PubMed

AvocadoView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Eating one avocado daily for 8 weeks may help improve skin firmness on the forehead in overweight women, though it does not seem to improve skin elasticity or reduce fatigue around the eyes.
More research is needed to confirm these findings and determine effects in other skin areas.

Browse 1 study

RCTAvocado consumption increased skin elasticity and firmness in women - A pilot study2022n=39

An 8-week RCT of 39 overweight women (ages 27–73) found daily avocado consumption increased forehead skin elasticity and firmness versus habitual diet, without changing hydration or UV resistance.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 8 weeks
Population: Women
Participants: 39
Ages: 27–73

View on PubMed

Vitex agnus-castusView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Vitex agnus-castus alone has not been tested for aging skin.
However, a combination supplement with vitex agnus-castus, evening primrose oil, soy isoflavones, and black cohosh taken daily for 12 weeks helped improve skin firmness, smoothness, and wrinkles in postmenopausal women compared to a placebo.

Browse 1 study

RCTEffects of a combination of botanical actives on skin health and antioxidant status in post-menopausal women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial2022n=110

In an RCT of 110 participants, for 12 weeks, these data indicate the supplementation with the formulated blend of four herbal extracts is supportive of skin health and antioxidant status in women of menopausal age.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Population: Women
Participants: 110
Ages: 45–60

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Evidence visualised

Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.

Purchase-guidance distribution

How many supplements fall in each purchase band

Effect-size distribution

How large the reported benefits tend to be

Study distribution across 5 supplements for aging skin (11 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Meta-analyses	Share
Vitamin A	★★★★★68%	6	0	55%
Astaxanthin	★★★★★48%	2	1	18%
Alpha-Lipoic Acid	★★★★★44%	1	0	9%
Avocado	★★★★★44%	1	0	9%
Vitex agnus-castus	★★★★★44%	1	0	9%

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Overview

Effect graph

Relevant supplements

Studies

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