Beer is one of the earliest beverage inventions, originating from the middle east around 5000 years ago, and globally is now the most consumed alcoholic beverage in terms of volume. The extracts of beer ingredients, especially hops, contain an abundance of polyphenols such as xanthohumol.

Xanthohumol has been shown to possess various effects such as anti-oxidative properties, but studies on the association between beer drinking and skin disease are limited because the effect of drinking alcohol is dehydrating and therefore ageing.

Instead, there have been several studies looking at the effect of xanthohumol extracts, and at the moment research is focussing on melanin pigments (the skins natural defence from the sun). Potential uses of xanthohumol in dermatology also includes treatment of skin ageing.*

During skin ageing there is deterioration of collagen and elastin fibers, because less of these are made when skin is damaged. At the same time there is increased degradation by elastase enzymes and matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs).

A study from 2010** showed that xanthohumol has the potential to improve skin structure and firmness: it inhibits the activities of the elastase enzyme/MMPs and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin.

Xanthohumol+ Skin is a vegan approved hop extract. It contains 10% xanthohumol which is double that of other brands. You can take 1 capsule of Xanthohumol+ Skin from 37p a day when you subscribe for 12 months.

* GB ARTICLE 13.1 BOTANICALS ON HOLD LIST.
** Philips et al. 2010. Direct inhibition of elastase and matrixmetalloproteinases and stimulation of biosynthesis of fibrillar collagens, elastin, and fibrillins by xanthohumol.