Nutricosmetics is an interdisciplinary field that integrates nutrition and cosmetics with the aim of improving the appearance of skin, hair, and nails. Active ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, collagen, and others act systemically when consumed orally. In the European Union, these products are legally classified as food supplements. Marketing claims must comply with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidelines and may only refer to the maintenance of normal body functions, without suggesting therapeutic effects.
In the experimental part of the study, thirty nutricosmetic products available on the Slovenian market were analyzed, and six of the most common active ingredients were identified: biotin, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and collagen. In the first stage, literature sources were used to examine clinical efficacy and compliance with EFSA-approved claims for each ingredient. The lowest effective daily dose was determined and compared with the legal minimum content requirements.
In the second stage, five products were randomly selected from the initial thirty, differing in target structures (skin, hair, nails), pharmaceutical forms, and price categories. For each product, compliance of the marketing claims with EFSA regulations was assessed, the expected efficacy was calculated, and results were compared with the product’s price.
The findings revealed notable discrepancies between clinical trial outcomes and the approved health claims. EFSA permits claims based on generally recognized biological functions of individual ingredients, but considers that most existing studies are not methodologically adequate to confirm specific health effects. Manufacturers meet the minimum content requirements, although these levels are often hundreds of times lower than those shown to be effective in clinical studies. Furthermore, manufacturers frequently use broader or differently phrased claims (e.g., nail repair, wrinkle reduction, hair loss prevention) that go beyond EFSA’s allowed statements (e.g., “contributes to the maintenance of healthy hair, skin, or nails”). It was also found that higher prices of nutricosmetic products in Slovenia are not necessarily linked to greater expected efficacy. In conclusion, while most products formally comply with regulations, clinical evidence often fails to support their claimed effects. Regular monitoring of efficacy and stricter control of labeling could help prevent marketing practices from creating unrealistic expectations among consumers.
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