Cheong Asks: Do oral skin supplements like Imedeen really work?? I do believe that you are what you eat, and a healthy diet does help your skin, but can taking things like collagen or bird’s nest soup or ginseng really give you better skin??
The Left Brain Begets:
Thanks for a great question. We get these kind all the time asking if various food supplements are going to help skin, hair, weight loss, and even longevity. There have even been some recent stories in which flax and borage oil boost skin health.
Supplements are unregulated…that’s bad
The claims on some of these things are so wild, it seems that just popping a pill everyday should fix every 
problem you’ve got. Of course, this is nonsense. Remember, food and health supplements are NOT REGULATED. They can say ANYTHING they want, even if it is a LIE, and no one will likely do anything about it. So, when it comes to supplements the first reaction for every Beauty Brainiac should be one of skepticism.
The Imedeen story
So, what about Imedeen? Imedeen is basically a skincare supplement that includes proteins, polysaccharides, vitamin C and other “free radical scavengers”. According to the company…
Imedeen Time Perfection is state-of-the-art skincare based on natural ingredients that are scientifically documented to visibly reduce signs of aging from within and to help defend against new signs of aging from forming.
And after just 2 to 3 months of use, you are supposed to SEE results. Hope in a bottle is finally here! Yeah, right. Although, in the event that you don’t notice anything after a month of use, they include this disclaimer…
As with any nutritional supplement, the response will vary from person to person, and depends on skin condition, general health, diet, environment and other factors.
Which basically means if it doesn’t work for you, then there must be something wrong with YOU.
First, the notion that what you eat affects the condition of your skin may make sense but few, if any studies have shown any link between diet and skin conditions. Unless you are malnourished, there will not be any noticeable difference in your skin. It’s highly unlikely that using this supplement will have any noticeable effect.
Imedeen makes strong claims with weak data
Next, let’s look at some of their specific claims for this supplement.
1. Instantly begins to neutralise the skin-degrading processes
2. Significantly improves the skin’s moisture balance
3. Visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
4. Diminishes visibility of dilated capillaries and age spots
5. Leaves the skin with a brighter, more youthful and even complexion
6. Helps shield and defend the vital structural elements of the skin against future degradation
What do these claims really mean? 1. This doesn’t mean anything. “Instantly begins?” Why doesn’t it “Instantly neutralise”? And notice how they don’t spell out what the “skin-degrading processes” are? What could they possibly mean? They are hoping you’ll make up something that you believe is “skin-degrading” and believe that this stuff stops it.
2. This doesn’t mean anything either. What is the “skin’s moisture balance”? The only factors that can affect this are the environmental temperature and humidity, and your own level of hydration.
3, 4, and 5. Reduce fine lines and wrinkles? These claims come from their scientific data. But a study that they reference as proof clearly concludes that after 3 months there are “NO SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS detected.” It is only after 9 MORE MONTHS of an uncontrolled study that the Imedeen shows any effect. Unfortunately, with an uncontrolled study there is no way to tell what caused the positive results they saw. This is extremely weak data!
6. Again, this doesn’t mean anything. How do you prove that you “shield and defend” against future skin damage? You can’t! What a bunch of marketing gobbly gook.
The most outrageous part of this supplement is how much it costs. According to our friends at beauty.com, a box of Imedeen contains 60 tablets (1 month of treatment) that cost $70. So , you’ll have to buy $210 worth of supplements to see any effect, if there is any effect. In fact, since their own study says it’ll take 9 months to see a benefit, that will set you back a whopping $630! Is that worth it to you?
The Beauty Brain’s bottom line
Imedeen has some slick marketing and even a couple of “studies” to back up what they say. But with the prices they charge, the weakness of their data and the fact that you’ll still have to apply sunscreens and moisturizers, this doesn’t seem like a smart purchase at all. You’d be better off saving up your money for plastic surgery.
Or even better, eat a balanced diet filled with fruits & vegetables. You’ll get all the unprocessed vitamins & minerals your skin needs.
And as far as collagen, bird’s nest soup or ginseng giving you better skin…I don’t think so.
Update: See this post for more research about Imedeen.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree. The study you cited is indeed dubious, especially with no control.
However, do you have any comments on this study?
http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v60/n10/abs/1602438a.html
It boasts of a double-blind, placebo controlled study. Of course, it should still be noted that it’s sponsored by the company itself.
I love it when you blast some expensive new self proclaimed beauty miracle. I always think “if this is so expensive and so miraculous than why is it available without prescription unlike retin a”?
I also agree and wondering why do they allow people to buy it without prescription. I feel bad about that.
Hi,
After using imedeen for 12weeks my skin is fantastic. how long more do i have to continue to use imedeen
If you want to keep getting the effect, you’ll have to keep using the product forever. But whether the product is responsible for your new fantastic skin or not is debatable.
I’ve been using Imedeen for over 2 years and I must say it has made a BIG difference. Ok so I can’t get my skin tested by scientists or research groups but I’ll use my own method of assessment: my sight and touch. It is softer, more even and glows! People ask what I use and I’ve been told that I actually look 19/20 (turning 26 this year).Also, I tested in somewhat, going of it for 1 week, and my skin looked dull, not as radiant but was still soft and clear. I do eat and exercise somewhat healthily but I’m human meaning I don’t stick to all the good health rules, there’s no fun in that. But this does work, it did for me so give it a try and see for yourself. That’s the only way to find out, yes it is pricey but so is buying ciggarettes, only to find out it does work at killing your stress levels and yourself slowly. Until I’ve found something else, results or cost wise, I’ll stick to this. Merci beautiful people out there..
As stated Supplements are not regulated! And they only have limited funds to test them with to make a good margin, therefore steer clear!
Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your post to my blog?
You you could edit the blog subject title Is Imedeen Good For My Skin? to something more specific for your content you write. I liked the post however.
i have checked this cool site a couple of times now and i have to say that i find it quite exeptional actually. keep it up!
imedeen is a good product its amazing ive been using imedeen since 2001 but unfortunately they dont have anymore imedeen in my country philippines. since when im came back backhome ive stop using now i was so sad .
My bad experience with Imedeen started in 2002. My skin was already oily to begin with and was told Imedeen would balance it out and was good for all skin types. Within 1 month I was getting small breakouts in areas I never had before-especially the cheeks. I had to start using acne products which I hadn’t in years. By 2 months it was really bad and soon after stopped as it was getting worse even though they told me it would resolve itself. When I finally saw the dermatologist I was diagosed with
nodulocystic acne and started on strong antibiotics with many sideeffects
and my skin became super sensitive and was reacting to most topicals.
My skin is marked and dammaged with problems ever since. I wish I could go back in time to reverse all this. And to think I took this product
hoping I would be preventing aging of my skin and reducing sun dammage. It’s now 9 years later and I’m still dealing with it. I had thought this product would give me a break from wearing make-up but I will never entertain that idea again. What a mistake!
Always heard mixed reviews about Imedeen from brilliant to downright dangerous!
I have been taking Imedeen for most of my life after age 25 and i love it. I am now 47 and look 35. It def works
Where I can buy my imeeden in the Philippines pls. Don’t stop your product it is very effective to our skin tank u
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