A dietary supplement of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) could reduce reddening of the skin by 13 per cent, scientists from Hamburg-based Bioskin GmbH have reported, research sure to be welcomed by Europe?s burgeoning oral beauty products sector.
Growing awareness of the link between diet and health, and by extension physical appearance, means that many consumers are receptive to the concept of ?beauty from within’.
Indeed, a recent Datamonitor report predicted the overall European cosmeceuticals market to grow to $4.4bn (?3.4bn) in 2009, up 5 per cent from today. This includes all cosmetic products containing at least one bio-active ingredient for the skin.
The new research from Germany that links skin health to grape seed extracts could well be readily accepted by the female-dominated consumer base. The same Datamonitor report said that 63.7 per cent of women over the age of 50 are prepared to spend more on cosmeceuticals.