Benefits
Skin water and oil content improvement
Registry study in healthy women: Opextan 300 mg/day produced a progressive increase in water and oil content of the skin, with skin hydration and barrier function improvements and reduction in number of exfoliating cells. Documents oral supplementation's skin benefits, beauty from within.
UV protection (oral administration)
Decrease of skin sensitivity to UV irradiation by oral administration documented in clinical testing. Minimal erythemal dose (MED) variation measured before and after Opextan administration. Provides systemic UV protection alongside topical sunscreen — addresses UV-induced oxidative stress from within.
Verbascoside — most potent olive antioxidant
Verbascoside is the most powerful antioxidant in olive oil — found 5× as active as other known typical olive polyphenols (hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol). Concentrated in Opextan via Indena's screening of olive varieties and harvest timing. The verbascoside standardization distinguishes Opextan from generic olive leaf or olive fruit extracts.
Lipid peroxidation reduction (topical)
Reduction of lipid peroxidation documented via topical application clinical testing. Lipid peroxidation drives skin aging — particularly UV-induced damage. Opextan can be used both orally (for systemic effects) and topically (for direct skin benefits). The dual application support broadens product applications.
Wrinkle prevention (oxidative damage)
Clinical tests prove Opextan combats free radicals and helps prevent wrinkles. Free radical-mediated degeneration drives wrinkle formation, epidermal barrier disruption, and other skin aging changes. Opextan's polyphenolic antioxidant activity addresses the underlying oxidative driver of wrinkle development.
Blood glucose support (12-week trial)
Olive extract administration in subjects with glucose tolerance challenges produced significant optimization in fasting glucose levels. Olive pulp extract effective at maintaining blood glucose levels at physiological levels. Extends Opextan's applications beyond skin into metabolic health, relevant for healthy aging.
Cardiovascular health support
Olive fruit and oil hold an important role in the Mediterranean diet — protecting against coronary heart challenges and cardiovascular stress. Biological properties of olive oil are related to both fatty acid composition and phenolic compound antioxidant activity. Opextan concentrates the antioxidant polyphenols supporting cardiovascular health.
5-year Indena-Kanebo co-research foundation
Opextan was developed through co-research and close cooperation between Indena (Italian botanical expertise) and Kanebo Cosmetics (Japanese efficacy testing). The collaboration produced preclinical and clinical evidence of free radical scavenging capacity. Multi-stakeholder development provides a robust evidence base vs single-company commercial development.
Mechanism of action
Verbascoside free radical scavenging
Verbascoside is a phenylethanoid glycoside with potent free radical scavenging activity — 5× more active than typical olive polyphenols. The structural features (catechol group, glycoside) support antioxidant activity across multiple radical species. Provides broad-spectrum antioxidant protection at cellular and tissue levels.
Multi-polyphenol synergy
Opextan's verbascoside + hydroxytyrosol + tyrosol + isoacteoside profile provides multi-polyphenol synergy. Different polyphenols target different oxidative stress mechanisms and tissues. The natural polyphenol blend reflects the full antioxidant profile of olive fruit — superior to single-compound isolates.
Skin barrier function support
Opextan supports water and oil content of skin — addressing both the hydrolipidic film and deeper stratum corneum hydration. Mechanism involves reducing oxidative damage to barrier lipids plus supporting keratinocyte function. The skin barrier improvements drive multiple downstream skin health outcomes.
UV-induced oxidative stress prevention
Opextan reduces skin sensitivity to UV irradiation — via systemic antioxidant supplementation that complements topical sun protection. UV exposure generates reactive oxygen species causing DNA damage, inflammation, and aging. Polyphenol antioxidants intercept these radicals at the cellular level.
Insulin sensitivity / glucose tolerance
Olive polyphenols have documented effects on glucose tolerance — likely involving improved insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammatory contribution to metabolic dysfunction, and direct effects on glucose metabolism. The 12-week glucose trial documents Opextan's metabolic applications beyond pure skin antioxidant uses.
Clinical trials
Published registry study enrolling 67 healthy women who freely chose to receive Opextan 300 mg daily or no specific skin oral treatment for 4 weeks. Multiple biochemical and physiological skin properties assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. Conducted by Indena S.p.A. with IRVINE3 Vascular Lab. Published in Esperienze Dermatologiche 2019.
67 healthy women receiving Opextan 300 mg daily or no treatment. 4-week observation period.
Progressive increase in water and oil content of skin. Improvement in skin hydration. Reduction in number of exfoliating cells. Effects on transcutaneous oxygen and carbon dioxide tension, surface hydration, nutritional and thermoregulatory blood flow. Opextan promotes healthy skin aging, improves skin recovery capacity, and exerts beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors.
Clinical evaluation of Opextan's effects on skin sensitivity to UV irradiation via oral administration. Minimal erythemal dose (MED) variation measured. Documented in Kanebo R&D research. Foundation for UV-protective and sun-care applications.
Clinical volunteers. Oral Opextan administration evaluated for UV sensitivity effects.
Decrease of skin sensitivity to UV irradiation by oral administration documented. Improvement in oxidative stress markers in healthy volunteers. Reduction of lipid peroxidation via topical application. Beneficial effects at skin level — preventing free-radical mediated degeneration including wrinkle formation and epidermal barrier disruption.
12-week olive extract administration trial in subjects with glucose tolerance challenges. Foundation for Opextan's metabolic health applications. Conducted with Japanese research collaborators (Tohoku University). Published in Official Journal of Japan Society of Ningen Dock.
15 subjects with glucose tolerance challenges. 12-week olive extract administration.
Significant optimization in fasting glucose levels with 12 weeks of olive pulp extract administration. Olive pulp extract effective at maintaining blood glucose levels at physiological level. Extends Opextan's applications from skin into metabolic health — relevant for healthy aging consumer populations facing both skin and glucose concerns.