Krill oil supplementation improves transepidermal water loss, hydration and elasticity of the skin in healthy adults: Results from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding pilot studies.

Background: Dietary marine omega-3 fatty acids and phospholipids have individually shown favorable effects on skin barrier function. Krill oil offers a combination of omega-3 in phospholipid form which might enhance the efficacy in supporting skin health.

Aims: The aim was to investigate the impact of two different doses of krill oil on skin transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in healthy adults. Secondary outcomes were skin hydration, elasticity and the omega-3 index.

Methods: Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot studies were conducted in healthy adults with a baseline TEWL of >10 and ≤24.9 g/m²/h. In study 1, 51 participants consumed 1 g of krill oil or placebo daily. In study 2, 50 participants consumed 2 g of krill oil or placebo daily. The outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks.

Results: The krill oil supplemented groups significantly increased their omega-3 index versus placebo in both studies. Furthermore, the krill oil groups in both studies showed statistically significant beneficial reductions in TEWL (from 14.47 ± 3.65 to 13.83 ± 3.78 in study 1 and from 14.25 ± 3.21 to 13.02 ± 2.76 in study 2) and increases in hydration and elasticity when compared to placebo. There were significant linear relationships between changes in the omega-3 index and changes in TEWL, hydration and elasticity in both studies.

Conclusions: Daily oral supplementation with 1 and 2 g of krill oil showed significant and dose-dependent improvements in skin TEWL, hydration, and elasticity compared to placebo that correlated with changes in the omega-3 index.