Hibiscus Collagen Alternative (VC-H1) as an Oral Skin Rejuvenating Agent: A 12-Week Pilot Study

Abstract

Skin aging causes reduced hydration, elasticity, and increased wrinkles. Recent safety and compliance concerns over oral collagen supplements have increased interest in plant-based alternatives like Hibiscus sabdariffa with antioxidant and anti-aging properties. However, clinical evidence regarding its efficacy remains limited. We aimed to evaluate the effects of this plant-based collagen alternative (VC-H1, Hibiscus Enzyme Extract) supplement on skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), desquamation, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction in photoaged individuals. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with 98 participants (aged 35-60 years) presenting with dry skin and periorbital wrinkles. Participants randomly received 1.5 g/day of VC-H1 or placebo for 12 weeks. Skin hydration, TEWL, deep moisture, keratin index, elasticity, and wrinkle parameters were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. VC-H1 supplementation significantly increased skin hydration, reduced the TEWL and keratin index, and improved deep moisture content for those receiving it compared with the controls. Wrinkle depth significantly decreased, and skin elasticity also improved. Those in the VC-H1 group showed greater overall improvement than those in the control group. Oral VC-H1 supplementation significantly improved skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction, suggesting its potential as a plant-based alternative to traditional collagen supplements for skin rejuvenation.

Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa; elasticity improvement; plant-based collagen; skin hydration; skin rejuvenation; wrinkle reduction.

Figure 1

Flowchart of the procedure used to recruit, screen, and randomize the participants.

Figure 2

The effect of oral VC-H1 consumption on skin hydration (A,B), TEWL (C,D), skin moisture (E,F), and keratin index (G,H) after 12 weeks. Changes within each group were analyzed using a linear mixed-effect model adjusted for baseline values of each biomarker (** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001). Differences between groups at weeks 6 and 12 were analyzed using a linear mixed-effect model (## p < 0.01, and ### p < 0.001). ns, not significant.

Figure 3

The effect of oral VC-H1 consumption on skin elasticity, as measured by R2 (A,B), R5 (C,D), and R7 (E,F) values after 12 weeks. Changes within each group over 12 weeks were analyzed using a linear mixed-effect model adjusted with the baseline value of each biomarker (** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001). Differences between groups at weeks 6 and 12 were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model (# p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01, and ### p < 0.001). ns, not significant.

Figure 4

The effect of oral VC-H1 consumption on skin texture Ra (A,B), Rp (C,D), R3z (E,F), Rz (G,H), Rmax (I,J), and Rt (K,L) values after 12 weeks. Changes within each group over 12 weeks were analyzed using a linear mixed-effect model adjusted for baseline values of each biomarker (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001). Differences between groups at weeks 6 and 12 were analyzed using a linear mixed-effect model (## p < 0.01, and ### p < 0.001). ns, not significant.

Figure 5

The effect of oral VC-H1 consumption on periorbital wrinkles Ra (A,B), Rp (C,D), R3z (E,F), Rz (G,H), Rmax (I,J), and Rt (K,L) values after 12 weeks. Changes within each group over 12 weeks were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model adjusted for baseline values of each biomarker (* p < 0.05, *** p < 0.001). Differences between groups at weeks 6 and 12 were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model (# p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01, and ### p < 0.001). ns, not significant.

Figure 6

Visualization of periorbital wrinkle improvements in the VC-H1 and control groups over 12 weeks. (A) Representative clinical photographs (Mark-Vu^®) at 0, 6, and 12 weeks (0w, 6w, 12w) show greater wrinkle reduction in the VC-H1 group compared to control. (B) 3D skin surface images (PRIMOS CR) from the same time points reveal visibly smoother texture and reduced wrinkle depth in the VC-H1 group relative to control.

Figure 7

Evaluation of overall improvement by investigators. Linear mixed-effect model was used to compare the difference between the groups at week 6 and week 12, *** p < 0.001.