It looks like corporate giants Coca-Cola and L’Oreal are teaming up to give us the next greatest thing in skincare. According to this article, they will be launching Lumae, a 
nutraceutical, tea-based beverage designed to help improve your skin’s condition.
These nutraceutical beverages seem to be a trend with Coke having recently launched Enviga (for weight loss) and upcoming launches of Diet Coke Plus (with vitamins) and Minute Maid Active (with glucosamine HCL).
While this half of the Beauty Brains loves most things Coke and L’Oreal has some great products, it is a bit disconcerting that they are propagating these kinds of products. The claims are not supported by any good science and in the case of Lumae (or a similar product called Borba), there is NO PROOF that supplements have any impact on your skin at all.
One review of published studies suggests that supplementation with vitamins, carotenoids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids could provide some UV protection. Not nearly as much as topical sunscreens however, so you’ll still need your sunscreen. Their conclusion was that
“…nutritional factors exert promising actions on the skin, but information on the effects of low-to-moderate doses of nutrients consumed long term by healthy individuals is obviously lacking…”
And this is the real problem with nutraceuticals. Companies can pretty much say anything they want without any good proof. Then they can charge you nearly $3 a bottle and trick you into thinking you’re doing something good for yourself.
The Beauty Brains’ Bottom line: If you want the best skin you can get, stick with your favorite creams and lotions. The notion of drinkable skincare just doesn’t hold water.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I think alcohol does wonders to improve the way people look… especially in a bar, late at night, when I’ve been drinking fruity martinis.
Nutritinis – new & improved for the skin!
Unfortunately these 2 Mega Companies realize that most of us only use 5% of our brains, and usually for only 5% of the time. It’s all about the marketing. Thank God I’m not so gullible to believe Coke (which I stopped drinking 3 years ago). Now if I could only kick my Pepsi Max habit!!!
I know I struggle with my Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper addiction.
Coca-Cola and Nestlé are actually being sued because of their deceptive claims about Enviga. The “clinical study” they did on their product lasted only three days! Research paid for by corporations that have an interest in getting a particular result are definitely not to be trusted.
I agree – but wouldn’t it be great to be able to drink our skin clean and clear?
Ah yes, this idea is great. Too bad the product can’t live up to the idea. However, maybe if people keep doing research we just might find something that does work.
not to be a critic here, but this post says nothing about how drinking water can or cannot help your skin. it talks about the bogus-ness of drinking these “nutri-drinks” (anyone who looks at the sugar in vitaminwater should know that is a joke!).
as a person who drinks, literally, liters of water a day, i would be interested to know the scientific reason why drinking water does not improve your skin.
@ab
My thoughts exactly. We all know that drinking our 8 cups is good for us.. but does drinking more water have a positive effect on our skin? I only have anecdotal evidence from others that it clears up their skin/makes it plumper/smoother. But I’d also be interested to hear of any scientific studies
As someone who likes to go out on the weekends, I can tell you that when your skin is dehydrated (as it most likely will be after a night of drinking), it looks terrible! Obviously, hydration is important for your skin. Over-hydrating, probably won’t do any good, but if you need water, your skin will show it!
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