The Science Behind Mosaic: A Whole-Body Approach to Skin Care

Mosaic skin supplement

As we age, our skin loses elasticity and moisture, becoming more susceptible to both intrinsic (originating within our body) and extrinsic (environmental) stressors. Topical products are largely limited in their efficacy beyond the outermost layer because of our skin’s incredible ability to create a barrier to the outside world. They are also limited to the area of application. To achieve deeper, systemic benefits, novel formulations must work with your skin’s natural regenerative processes and drive changes from the inside. Mosaic is a single daily supplement that combats skin aging from the innermost layers, across the entire body, for visibly healthy, youthful skin. 

 

A First-Of-Its-Kind Formulation of Carotenoids and Phytonutrients 

Elysium identified carotenoids as a critical connection between intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging. Naturally occurring antioxidants, carotenoids create a “foundation” for the ideal cellular environment to counter key stressors that drive skin aging. Under the advisement and consultation of Dr. Richard Granstein, chair of the Department of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine, Elysium developed a first-of-its-kind formulation containing clinically proven ingredients with carotenoids and synergistic phytonutrients at the center. 

 

Your Antioxidant Resource for Skin Resilience

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a major role in skin aging. They are generated both by environmental factors like sun exposure and urban living and as byproducts of normal cellular activity. ROS negatively impact many cellular components, including proteins (like collagen), lipids, and DNA, leading to oxidative stress and cellular dysfunction. 

Carotenoids are highly efficient antioxidants that provide plants with photoprotection. In humans, they accumulate in the skin, where they target ROS and provide protection from oxidative stress. The phytonutrient carotenoid complex (PC Complex) in Mosaic combines four plant-derived carotenoids from tomato extract—lycopene, phytoene, phytofluene, and beta-carotene—with carnosic acid, a major antioxidant from rosemary extract, which act synergistically [1] to provide powerful antioxidant benefits. 

Oral supplementation with the PC Complex is clinically proven to increase carotenoid levels in the skin by 31% after 16 weeks [2], building a reservoir of antioxidants that can provide protection and a balanced response to environmental challenges and oxidative stress. Twelve weeks of supplementation with the PC Complex in Mosaic has also been demonstrated in a clinical study to support a healthy inflammatory response in the skin and reduce redness after sun exposure [3].  

 

Supporting Collagen Maintenance for Youthful Skin

Collagen is an essential scaffolding protein in the dermis or middle layer of the skin, that gives skin its smoothness, elasticity, and its youthful appearance. Collagen levels, however, decline with age: Production decreases, and oxidative stress from environmental challenges and intrinsic factors trigger processes that degrade collagen. This decline contributes to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Carotenoids in the PC Complex in Mosaic target collagen degradation by neutralizing ROS generated by environmental challenges and by downregulating the expression of MMP-1 [3 and 4], an enzyme that degrades collagen in response to oxidative stress. They have also been shown to stimulate dermal fibroblasts to secrete pro-collagen in response to oxidative stress [5], thereby creating an optimal tissue environment that can help protect and maintain collagen levels. The result? The PC Complex in Mosaic has been clinically demonstrated to reduce fine lines and wrinkles after 16 weeks of supplementation, promoting a more youthful skin appearance [2].

 

Oral Delivery of Hyaluronic Acid for Hydration From Within

As we get older, our skin suffers from increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL). ​​TEWL is a measurement that represents the amount of water that escapes from the outermost layer of the skin and is a reflection of skin barrier integrity. Fewer natural oils, decreased cell renewal, and cumulative effects from environmental challenges all contribute to increased TEWL, which results in dry, flaky skin and impaired barrier function. Our skin also produces less hyaluronic acid (HA)—a major component of the extracellular matrix of the skin that plays a critical role in maintaining skin hydration. By age 60, we have half as much HA in the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) compared to our 20s [6], contributing to decreased volume, hydration, plumpness, and impaired barrier function in the skin. 

HA is a humectant, capable of binding over 1,000 times its weight in water, and is a key ingredient in many topical skin care products, from serums to moisturizers. The effectiveness of topical HA, however, is limited to the skin’s outer surface and area of application. HA is also used in dermal fillers, which add volume by physically filling the injected area and by drawing water to enhance the filling effect. 

Clinical studies now demonstrate that oral administration of HA effectively increases moisture throughout the skin, including layers not reached by topical HA, and improves dry skin conditions across the whole body [7]. Mosaic provides 120 mg of HA in supplement form, which is clinically proven to significantly increase skin moisture content and elasticity at three different body locations, the face, arm, and waist [8, 9]. Oral administration of 120 mg of HA is also clinically proven to reduce TEWL and support skin barrier function [9].

 

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References 

  1. Calniquer G, Khanin M, Ovadia H, et al. Combined Effects of Carotenoids and Polyphenols in Balancing the Response of Skin Cells to UV Irradiation. Molecules. 2021;26(7):1931. Published 2021 Mar 30. doi:10.3390/molecules26071931
  2. Tarshish, E., Hermoni, K.L., & Schwartz, S.R. Effect of Oral Supplement “Lycopene” On Reducing the Signs of Skin Ageing. Clinical Pharmacology & Biopharmaceutics. 2020;9(2):195. 
  3. Groten K, Marini A, Grether-Beck S, et al. Tomato Phytonutrients Balance UV Response: Results from a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2019;32(2):101-108. doi:10.1159/000497104
  4. Grether-Beck S, Marini A, Jaenicke T, Stahl W, Krutmann J. Molecular evidence that oral supplementation with lycopene or lutein protects human skin against ultraviolet radiation: results from a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Br J Dermatol. 2017;176(5):1231-1240. doi:10.1111/bjd.15080
  5. Darawsha A, Trachtenberg A, Levy J, Sharoni Y. The Protective Effect of Carotenoids, Polyphenols, and Estradiol on Dermal Fibroblasts under Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10(12):2023. Published 2021 Dec 20. doi:10.3390/antiox10122023
  6. Longas MO, Russell CS, He XY. Evidence for structural changes in dermatan sulfate and hyaluronic acid with aging. Carbohydr Res. 1987;159(1):127-136. doi:10.1016/s0008-6215(00)90010-7
  7. Kawada C, Yoshida T, Yoshida H, et al. Ingested hyaluronan moisturizes dry skin. Nutr J. 2014;13:70. Published 2014 Jul 11. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-13-70
  8. Sato T, Sakamoto W, Odanaka W, et al. Clinical effects of dietary hyaluronic acid on dry, rough skin. Aesthetic Dermatology. 2002;12:109-120.
  9. Hsu TF, Su ZR, Hsieh YH, et al. Oral Hyaluronan Relieves Wrinkles and Improves Dry Skin: A 12-Week Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2021;13(7):2220. Published 2021 Jun 28. doi:10.3390/nu13072220 
Publications per year on carotenoids + skin
Publications per year on HA + skin